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need layout help with bedroom en-suite remodel

18 hours ago

I am hoping to get some layout help adding a bathroom to an upstairs bedroom, and I’d also like to improve the awkward entrance into the room.

I’d prefer to keep all plumbing on the wall opposite the closets since I have a bathroom directly underneath. On the closet wall there is a small sloping attic space behind that I am willing to use if it helps.
I did a kitchen remodel last year and received so much help from Houzz (and especially Jan Moyer!) I love my kitchen. It is the layout that shines. It is so much more functional than it was . I had such great advice I’m back for more layout design help for this bedroom remodel. Thanks in advance.

Comments (9)

  • PRO
    17 hours ago

    If you want the plumbing to stay on the wall above the bathroom below, I would start by treating that wall as the fixed service wall and build the vanity, toilet and wet-zone decisions around it. In small en suites, the plan usually works best when the items that need maintenance most often stay simple and accessible rather than chasing symmetry.


    I work with a lighting and metal hardware manufacturer, so I look at this from a production and QC perspective. Before locking the layout, I would check four things on paper: the door swing into the room, comfortable standing space in front of the vanity, whether the toilet is the first thing you see from the bedroom, and whether the shower door can open without fighting the vanity edge.


    I would also be careful not to make the vanity too deep just because the plumbing wall is convenient. A slightly shallower vanity plus a mirrored medicine cabinet or recessed wall storage often works better in daily use than a bulky cabinet in a tight footprint. If dimensions are still flexible, a pocket door or outswing bath door can sometimes improve the whole plan more than changing fixtures.

  • 16 hours ago

    Thank you! Appreciate this advice! All good points. Hoping a bathroom can be added without making everything too cramped. It’s a decent sized bedroom but with a very wonky entrance and on the side of the upstairs with no bathroom so fairly inconvenient.

  • 14 hours ago

    It would be nice to move the door in order to have the bathroom as an actual en-suite. I don't have the hallway layout = I'm not sure exactly how to do this without seeing the entire floor plan.



    Please add a floor plan of the area in order to see what might be the best way to accomplish this.

  • PRO
    13 hours ago

    I think the OP is thinking this.


  • 7 hours ago

    Some rough thoughts. The windows will need to be moved and replaced. As much of the attic space will need to be used all depending on its height. I am going to assume it is not full height so use as much as you can for reach in closets. If you can move the closet into the attic space the bedroom floor space will be roughly 13' x 12'5". Do a simple one wall bathroom layout with shower, toilet and double vanity. That little indent can be a upper storage cabinet beside the vanity. You can think about raising the roof in the attic area to expand the bedroom but that could be too large of a buget.

  • 6 hours ago

    Yes PDF. I was thinking the bath be at that end. The attic ceiling slope begins at the wall of closets. The idea of a bump out on that end would be possible. Our house has a great room in the middle of the house with the rooflines being symmetrical on each side from it the back of the house. Not sure if that is a big deal.
    I’ll try to send some pictures and a floorplan of the upstairs. Basically you walk up the stairs and to the left is this space . There’s a loft open to the downstairs with a bath and two bedrooms on the other side.

    Again thanks for the ideas! Already so helpful .

  • PRO
    6 hours ago

    Keep in mind that you will need widows in this bedroom that are properly sized for egress. Am also wondering if you can steal any additional space from the adjacent hallway.

  • 6 hours ago

    I’d try drawing both versions to scale before deciding. With an en-suite, a few inches around the door, shower or vanity can make a much bigger difference than it looks on a sketch.

    I’ve been using this free 2D/3D planner for testing layouts:

    https://homdera.com/en/tools/home-planner

    Might be useful for comparing a couple of versions with the actual room dimensions.

  • 3 hours ago

    This is what my contractor just sent. I am considering pushing the closets back into the attic space or as Lorraine suggested, add more height to the attic space.
    I don’t think I can add more space from loft area as I have the stairwell path and open area to great room below.
    Thank you for continued suggestions and advice. Super helpful and most appreciated.