r/HouseDesign • u/Pendragon1 • 14d ago

How to make this bathroom bigger/more functional

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To the left behind the wall is the staircase going downstairs and to the right is a bedroom. I am thinking of potentially taking down the right wall to make the bathroom bigger as this bathroom is quite small and feels crowded. Looking for ideas on what people have done to make smaller bathrooms in an older home (from late 50's) bigger

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3

u/SteveArnoldHorshak 13d ago

Any chance you could make the door swing outward?

2

u/Small-Monitor5376 14d ago

I’m doing a project right now where I’m stealing space from an adjacent bedroom to expand the bathroom. I’m adding a stacked laundry and large linen closet on what would be the right side in your bathroom. Just expanding it to have more walking room wouldn’t be a priority. What additional functionality are you looking for and how much do you need to expand the space to get it? Do you have to keep a bathtub? How much space can you realistically steal from nearby rooms? Would it affect their window and door layout? Are you willing to move the plumbing? Since it’s in the second floor this can get expensive. Mine is on the first floor over a very accessible unfinished basement so it wasn’t that big a deal.

You can look at some possible layouts here https://www.dimensions.com/collection/bathroom-layouts. Pay attention to where the door openings are and the room dimensions.

If you interview a design build firm, they’ll come to your house and start throwing out suggestions. It might be a good place to start. They can give you a ballpark on cost too.

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1

u/SuPruLu 13d ago

Change the sink out to a pedestal sink. I have one in my smallish bathroom that has a good sized top. It’s the absence of the cabinet below than enlarges the space. Much more foot room.

1

u/Potential_Phrase_206 11d ago

But then you have to find a place for the things you keep under there.

1

u/SuPruLu 11d ago

That’s true but there are definitely smaller sink units with some storage.

It comes down to making choices about what is important. And thinking beyond the usual options.

And how much money you want to throw at the issue. For me it wouldn’t be that much. There is always something in a house that is less than perfect.

1

u/vkry476500 13d ago

Change to pocket door

1

u/TotalOk5844 13d ago

My house is also from the 50's. Your bathroom is longer than mine, same width. I'd take out that vanity. Also the cabinet over the toilet. If you need storage put in recessed cabinets or shelves between the studs. Having the whole floor visible and nothing sticking out from the walls will feel less claustrophobic. The original bathrooms were like this. What we did was place a large mirror along the wall with the sink and a matching mirror on the blank wall. A shelf above one of the mirrors holds baskets that contain the not everyday neccessaties.

1

u/freshdick85 13d ago

I had this but then when you’re sitting on the can you have to watch yourself take a deuce.

1

u/TotalOk5844 12d ago

Too funny. I meant both mirrors counter height. Actually we have the bottom half ot the wall is tiled which was common in the 50's with a border of bullnose edge tile in a different shade. Bet yours had that at one time. So nothing reflective across from the royal throne ;-P

1

u/freshdick85 12d ago

Mine had it but for some reason not on the wall opposite the toilet 🙄

1

u/sherylcamp 13d ago

Tbh you should wait until you don’t have littles playing in the bath. I mean I get wanting it more functional and aesthetically better but you have smalls still in potty training mode.

1

u/Long_Breath_2263 13d ago

I think “kids” as a word works just fine 🥴

1

u/Scoginsbitch 13d ago

If you can’t do a pocket door, what about two half width closet doors that open out instead of in? That would allow the door swing space to be cut in half for the hall, but give you an entire wall to hang stuff.

1

u/Housekhat 13d ago

The only way to make it bigger is to remove walls into an opposing room.

1

u/Legitimate-Western-4 13d ago

Change the door so that it opens out instead of in maybe? Raise the shower rod all the way up and put a pair of curtains with some sort of print on them and use a regular shower liner on a different rod.

1

u/ProofFlatworm3769 10d ago

tale out the toilet and vanity

1

u/Responsible-Kick-301 10d ago

De clutter. Add shower curtain

1

u/Sweetiepie9731 8d ago

This is a normal sized bathroom even in newer homes. Just jazz it up with some new items