Fighting for Inches in Master Bath Refresh

last year

We've lived with our current master bath for 20 years and it's time to freshen things up. We are constrained with layout and plumbing access, so plan to keep layout the same (see current layout attached), except for the following possible adjustment....

Our current double sink vanity is 61 inches long. We had just enough space for 2 sinks but have been cursing the lack of counter space for 20 years (yet we've managed to live with it). Two sinks is a must.

The vanity shares a wall with a 60x32 shower stall, the length of which was dictated by the fiberglas pan our original contractor installed.

The vanity and shower are currently separated by a full height wall. We plan to change this to a pony wall with glass above. The new shower will be all tile.

When we change the shower stall to all-tile, we will have more flexibility in dimensions. Our debate is whether to shorten the shower by approx 12 inches (32x48) to gain 12 inches of vanity counter.

Potential downsides I see are:

A. Tighter shower space (but I've never felt the current shower is the least bit tight)

B. Shower exit might be a bit awkward with adjacent toilet

C. Means we will definitely replace vanity ($$). It's in good shape and we may paint it if we keep dimensions the same. (There is a matching built-in linen cabinet across the room that would need to be updated based on whatever we do.)

What are your thoughts on trading counter space for shower space?

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Comments (4)

millworkman
last year
" Fighting for Inches in Master Bath Refresh"

How about the balance of the dimensions or a scaled drawing? Everything requires context and one dimension effects another especially in a bathroom.
nutfarm30
Original Author
last year
@millworkman See new drawing with *most* measurements. Not perfect but close. LMK if you have specific questions. Thanks for taking a look

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Rollie Peschon
last year
Any time I can( if theres room), I use Kitchen depth cabinets 24 deep cabinets 25 1/2 deep countertops) for vanities, Also kitchen height.

If you want to reuse your existing vanity, and additional depth works, just pull it 3 inches off the wall. If its not kitchen height and you desire that, simply add a pedestal/taller toe kick and eleveate the cabinet.
Yvonne Martin
last year
I worry about the exit from a reduced-lenght shower. To get an idea if this would work, use painter's tape to mock up when the shower exit would be. Then see if you think that there is enough room to move around. I don't know if the 32 inches depth could be shortened to give you a little more turning-around room.

You could also switch the positions of the shower and the vanity. Then you'd have complete freedom as to the location of the shower exit as well as the relative lengths of the shower and the vanity.

As to counter space on the vanity--what for? Everything except soap and hand lotion should be in a drawer, cupboard, or on a decorative shelf. Plan your new vanity so that this is possible.