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lisa_jones118

Main Bathroom Awkward Layout

9 days ago
last modified: yesterday

How to fix this bathroom without spending tons on plumbing....Our triangle-ish shower space is dumb. The original piping for cold water in the shower started leaking and damaged the new dining room ceiling, which means we get to remodel.* "toilet closet"*large shower for 2*a DEEP Japanese soaking tub with a smaller footprint.Our biggest problem, I think, is the toilet location and then the bathtub size.Please help!

Comments (33)

  • 9 days ago




  • 9 days ago

    You might want to google "are large showers cold" before committing to this. There have been Houzz threads where people have been disappointed in their large shower.

  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 8 days ago

    A large shower with enough room for two, won't be cold if it has a door. The cold ones are the open walk-in showers with no door. The word "large" also needs to be defined.

    My previous master shower had room for two, but it was smaller than my new master shower, which also has room for two.

    Two people being able to shower has more to do with the placement of plumbing and shower heads. Having two separate water supplies that can be adjusted to two different temperatures is also important. I would want the water much hotter than my DH.

    Also some areas of the US won't even "allow" two separate fixtures in one shower. I'm looking at you CA! You can have two fixtures, but only one water source with a diverter, so only one fixture can be used at a time.

    Lisa Jones thanked chispa
  • 7 days ago

    I think if the old shower weren't an odd wedge, there would've been room for 2 comfortably. The space for the bathtub is the size that we feel is good room for 2... we used a diverter (has a split feature) in the old shower with the handheld shower.

  • 7 days ago


    Utilizing that closet was on the initial plan. My husband has recently told me he doesn't want to share my rather large walk in. We can still use 'some' of the closet.

  • PRO
    7 days ago
    last modified: 7 days ago

    A wish list too big for an odd space. ? To GIVE is to Get. Add the dimensions to the master bedroom.

    Show more of the second floor, to include the walkin closet below the primary bedroom on the plan. Below, on right, and ALL of it, including bedroom



    This is nothing , more than hot mess......: ) of cramped.....everything


    It's probably more like............





    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    6 days ago

    Not always on board with all of Jan's "all caps", but she's got the best idea. Your bathroom needs to be bigger.

    Lisa Jones thanked RappArchitecture
  • PRO
    6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    All caps ^^ is nothing more than emphasis.........the bold option is rather a pain !

    I am emphatically not YELLING lol

    Jeeeeeeeesh.........................: ): )

    At any rate?

    The real point, is the bath is simply too small to have all that you want unless something else is sacrificed. It will end up as no improvement, will have inadequate clearances, and all the less than great "features" of the existing bath, unless you access other space.

    Full context (,ie the entire second floor plan) , might show another possibility, but to keep all closets, not move plumbing ? Will give you the bath you have and even if cosmetically improved ? No point, jmo.,

    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    6 days ago

    Do you need/want the tub in your master? If it's not being used much you could consider removing it and placeing your shower it that position "if" the adjacent window can be removed.

    Lisa Jones thanked Norwood Architects
  • 6 days ago

    JAN MOYER It's good that you don't intend it to come across as yelling, but it does. Although you often give great advice, I find your comments unpleasant to read with all the capitalization.

    From Google, I found this interesting:


    Yes, writing in all caps is widely interpreted as yelling or shouting in digital communication, like emails, texts, and online forums, because it mimics the forceful visual impact of a loud voice, making text harder to read and potentially aggressive. While it can sometimes be used for emphasis, the convention is so strong that it's generally discouraged, with exceptions for headings or rare, deliberate stress, as it often comes across as rude or demanding. Why it's seen as yelling:

    • Visual Similarity to Sound: All caps creates a solid block of text that stands out, similar to how shouting demands attention and takes up more "space" in communication.
    • Historical Context: The association goes back to print typography and was solidified by early internet users (BBS, Usenet) as a way to convey a loud tone in text-based environments.
    • Readability Issues: All caps reduces readability because words lose their unique shapes, forcing the eye to process each letter, making it feel strenuous, like a shout.
    Lisa Jones thanked partim
  • 6 days ago

    Jan, unfortunately I can't touch that closet. It goes to my daughters 11x1 room.


    I love these ideas. I was contemplating moving the door into the bathroom and maybe 2 smaller vanities.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    I said (I have been on here, for twenty years, and have said many times) .....It is not yelling in my case, Believe it , or do not.! Sometimes, at three am, when I mess around here, it's actually just easier for me to see, and if I had my way, would be all caps. Call eye destruction of far too many online hours in design.

    Lets all address the other issues we see, shall we? Lets start with spelling and grammar? How's THAT? : ) : ) Perhaps we don't venture into those weeds.....

    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • 6 days ago

    Don't know if this works dimensionally, or whether I even like it. It was just a passing thought I needed to sketch.



    Lisa Jones thanked 3onthetree
  • PRO
    6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    I have a very large shower, no door, and it's not the least bit cold.


    (there's a floating marble shelf makeup spot where the bench is, now)

    I didn't want a tub.

    Here's the other side w/a water closet


    once you demo everything out of there, it's easier to design. don't know if you can square off some of those walls?

    this is how I started.


    Lisa Jones thanked Beth H. :
  • PRO
    6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    I'll venture into Jan's weeds. Bad spelling, grammar and punctuation are the bane of my existence, but there seems to be fewer and fewer of us that care. I refuse to respond to OPs with errors in the title, it just shows laziness and carelessness. (And maybe ignorance, but I won't go there.) We can blame it on phone typing, but even phone typing can be proofread before sending.


    Anyway, this OP seems to be receptive to our thoughts and advice. I would urge her to look at 3onthetree's idea, it might have some merit if that closet really can't be removed.

    Lisa Jones thanked RappArchitecture
  • PRO
    6 days ago
    last modified: 5 days ago

    : ) Beth of Tile talent is a GC, and resides in SoCal...

    Adjusted closets down here, from my original









    No idea your climate, I would not be without a door on a shower in my locale

    That said? You are hemmed in by stair, and it's complicated with toilet closet battle........Least $$ is closet alteration, the toilet issue is generally less arduous/ costly than most fear, and you get your shower. .

    Re think the closes ( as below.



    No way does any tub really work , just as it will be exactly as you have, Nothing great. I'd a bit of give/take to the closet issue. ?

    None of the "walk in "you have are really great walk in...Might not be a hardship.at all to reach in well organized

    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • 5 days ago

    Beth H. We can't square the walls as that is the upstairs landing. Also, the built in book cases that convinced me to buy this house is on the other side of the weird angle ...

  • 5 days ago

    Ok, 3 On The Tree, I never would've thought to "square / angle" that wall. Seriously, you all, you've been INCREDIBLY helpful! Thank you.

  • 5 days ago

    Jan, I assumed we would have a door on the shower, but now that I think about it, we have vaulted ceilings. I don't know that a door would make much difference.

  • 5 days ago

    Also, Jan, that is a clever reworking of the closet space....

  • PRO
    5 days ago

    Design rules shall follow

    There is no" I get everything" and it matters not you win the Powerball.

    There will always be a constraint, a trade off, and that applies 99% , build, remodel, any home and any room within that home

    Above is with a Japanese soaking tub..( Wayfair ) Can it be a round tub? No....it can not as all are not less than 42" ....You would crowd the vanity.

    I hope you are not fat....: )


    Dearest hubby, you , and darling daughter will have to get heads around closets and their so called walk in which at these sizes are nothing but builder bullshit labels.


    So.....assuming you are determined to not move a toilet?

    Bought a home because of a book case detail, ?

    Hubby refuses to share a walk in closet

    You feel a need to shower together, , probably want to suffer no loss in vanity space, and you need to share grooming time?

    Did I miss anything?

    I will refrain from CAPS and yelling.......

    You put this with the closet adjustment from above. Or you fix the leak and you move on.

    with the same really bad bathroom., or give up the tub. Even a wheel does not spin.....indefinitely, right? Maybe it does......

    You would have to do closets....

    as.....down here.


    But again? Life and design are choices

    ( Builder plans have framing dimensions, not exact interior dimensions. It's early, I rounded, and the dimensions noted are best really close, as you don't have every single distance of an angle to an opposite wall etc. Get your tape and tape it off in the bath.

    Either improvement.....= .....c.l.o.s.e.t adjustment






    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • 5 days ago

    Ha! I would love to move the toilet...into the hubs closet space...


    Obviously, the bookcase wasn't the only reason, but it doesn't really matter. This is what I have to work with. :)


    The measurements I (so beautifully) added onto the plans are the inside measurements taken with the measuring tape.


    We don't 'feel the need' to shower together. It is just the morning schedule with work and school.


    I will discuss all this with my hubs!

  • PRO
    5 days ago

    : ) .

    I give up after this one. You get the tub, the toilet doesn't need to move. The shower is more than adequate. You move the bedroom door and adjust the closets as the earlier? Or the wheels go round and round. ?







    Lisa Jones thanked JAN MOYER
  • 5 days ago

    A more thorough stab at it. First, you need a precise as-built because there are a lot of angles. It appears some points in the original drawing are a bit off compared to pic of as-built - so depending on what you do, make sure some of those points align and/or meet, which simplifies a design and leaves a cleaner visual space.

    I think this can be a fairly easy layout with minimal scope:

    • The key is moving the closet, and Jan's idea is genius for that. A perceived smaller closet in a secondary bedroom is worth the trade in what it offers to the Master Ensuite.
    • The toilet can remain. I do have an idea for a Toilet Room (basically toilet where closet is), but would involve moving it and that may be intrusive in the lower level, and visually reduces the size of main room.
    • The tub should stay at the window in any case. It can be a freestanding or Japanese style (platform or not) - opening up the "back" wall gives many opportunities for fixture choice, and the room will appear much larger (to match the high vaulted ceiling) upon entering.
    • Vanity can be wall hung to contribute visually to open space and work well with a freestanding tub.
    • Shower is as large as the former closet, about 4'-8" square which should fit 2.67 people. All glass (frameless) will add to visual size of room, including what you sense being reflected in the vanity mirror. Moving a 1 1/2" drain is usually easily accomodated.




    Lisa Jones thanked 3onthetree
  • 5 days ago

    You have all been SO helpful! Thank you for your insight!

  • PRO
    4 days ago
    last modified: 4 days ago

    We'd be yet more helpful, with a clean version of down below.. Every inch of every interior wall, opening..

    Showing the entire floor also helpful.,

    Add as many pics as you like

    You need every inch of the "Mc Mansion primary suite." which is exactly its unfortunate moniker: )

    We know interior walls are 4", exterior 6" ....I question how accurate the final framing.

    You shop , so you return and print labels, ? Print and add , fix, double check etc.INSIDE the walls all


  • 2 days ago

    Not a Mc Mansion.. :D


    I'll have to work on that.



  • PRO
    2 days ago

    Murder to seel: )



  • PRO
    2 days ago

    What??

  • PRO
    yesterday
    last modified: yesterday

    ^^

    Difficult to accurately view full second floor....as op posted upon request. Blurry, tiny on a click, dragging to a page not helpful , either.

    Given there appears a tub in the other hall bath, an unwillingness to sacrifice much within primary suite, It is called conundrum . ......unless the op is accepting of a soak in a tub, outside that of the primary bath.

    Bathroom left side below combined with re think of closet, right, below.

    Minimal moves of plumbing..

    The Something's Gotta Give" route, because of tub desire,,,,,maximus.




  • yesterday

    I'm sorry. The website isn't new user friendly. All images were added to comments and not the initial post.


    I will attach again zoomed in a bit. After that, no more comments on the floor plans images. 😉


    I'm still working on getting the inside measurements.

  • PRO
    yesterday

    Yes, 100% agree, Houzz leaves it to us to request the full context , could make clearer instructions for those seeking help and how to best post a dilemma.. Agree that's a flaw. But? When it happens and is somewhat or mostly indicative of clear dimensions, people do get some great advice for challenging spaces : )