Bathroom Layout Planning: The Step-by-Step Checklist Before You Visit a Showroom

If you’ve ever stood in a bathroom showroom thinking, “We’ll just pick a bath and a vanity and we’re done”, you’re not alone.

The reality is: most bathroom headaches don’t come from the tiles you chose. They come from the layout. The stuff you only notice once you’re living with it — like a door that clips the towel rail, or a basin that looks great on paper but leaves you standing sideways to brush your teeth.

So here’s a practical, no-faff checklist you can do before you visit a showroom. It’ll help you get better advice, faster decisions, and a layout that actually works in real life.

Why layout comes first (before the “nice bits”)

In Hertfordshire homes (especially older terraces and 1930s semis), bathrooms are often a bit “wonky” — boxed-in pipes, awkward alcoves, sloped ceilings, you name it.

That’s why layout comes first. Get it right and everything else becomes easier. Get it wrong and even a beautiful bathroom can feel annoying every single day.

A few real-world examples we see all the time:

A shower screen that opens straight into the door swing
A towel rail placed where you can’t reach it from the shower
A vanity that looks generous but leaves no standing room in front of it

Step 1: Measure the room (properly, not “about that much”)

You don’t need laser levels and fancy kit, but you do need honest measurements.

Write down:

Wall-to-wall dimensions (length and width)
Ceiling height (critical for loft bathrooms)
Window size + height from the floor
Door width + which way it opens
If you can, where the toilet waste/soil pipe is

Quick tip: take photos from each corner of the room. Designers can spot problems (and opportunities) much faster with pictures than with a vague description.

Step 2: Mark what’s awkward to move

Some things can move. Some things can move but you’ll feel it in the budget.

Make a note of:

Soil stack / toilet waste position
Existing waste runs (bath/shower/basin)
Boxing, bulkheads, or anything built-in
Radiator pipework
Ventilation route (especially for internal bathrooms)

If you’re unsure, that’s fine — just flag it. A good designer will ask the right questions.

Step 3: Decide how you actually use the bathroom

This is where the best layouts start.

Ask yourself:

Is this a family bathroom with chaotic mornings, or a calmer “main” bathroom?
Do you genuinely need a bath, or is it just habit?
Are you planning around kids now, but wanting it to work long-term too?
Is a second basin useful, or will it just steal storage?
Any accessibility needs (now or in the next few years)?

A layout that suits your routine beats copying a Pinterest image every time.

Step 4: Pick 2–3 non-negotiables

If everything is a must-have, the layout ends up compromised.

Common non-negotiables:

Walk-in shower
Bath (or shower-over-bath)
Double vanity
More storage
Underfloor heating

Pick your top 2–3. Everything else becomes a sensible trade-off.

Step 5: Do the “does this feel cramped?” test

You don’t need to memorise regulations. You just want a bathroom that feels comfortable.

When you sketch ideas, sanity-check:

Can you stand comfortably at the basin?
Does the toilet feel wedged in?
Can you get in/out of the shower without dodging a door or radiator?
Can you reach the towel rail without dripping across the room?

Mini example: one of the most common mistakes is placing a towel rail behind the door because “there’s space there”. There is space there — until the door opens and it becomes useless.

Step 6: Plan storage before you fall in love with products

Storage is a layout decision, not an accessory.

Think about:

Drawers vs cupboards (drawers are usually easier day-to-day)
Tall unit vs mirrored cabinet
Where towels live and where wet towels dry
Where cleaning products go (especially in family homes)

A bathroom can look stunning and still be a pain if there’s nowhere to put anything.

Step 7: Bath vs shower — be honest with yourself

This is where layouts often get forced.

If you love baths, plan for a bath that’s actually comfortable.
If you never use a bath, don’t sacrifice a great shower just to tick a box.
If resale is a concern, there are smart compromises (compact baths, or a shower-over-bath done properly).

Step 8: Think about lighting and mirrors earlier than you think

Lighting affects where things can go — and how the room feels.

Quick checklist:

Do you want a lit mirror cabinet (storage + better light)?
Do you need task lighting at the basin?
Is there enough light in the shower area?
Where will switches go so they’re practical?

Step 9: Don’t ignore ventilation

Ventilation is one of those boring topics that saves you money later.

If your current bathroom:

steams up heavily
gets mould in corners
has peeling paint

— then your new design should include a proper ventilation plan (especially for wet rooms and walk-in showers).

Step 10: Make a one-page brief for your showroom visit

Before you come in, write this down:

Room size + photos
What stays / what might move
Your top 2–3 non-negotiables
2–3 inspiration images (not 30)
What you hate about your current bathroom (be specific)

That’s what turns a vague idea into a design that’s actually buildable.

What to bring to the showroom

To make your appointment genuinely useful, bring:

Measurements (even rough, but honest)
Photos of the current bathroom
Your must-haves
A couple of reference images

From there, we can talk through what’s realistic, what’s worth investing in, and what will cause problems later.

Where CAD drawings fit in (and why they help)

Once the layout direction is clear, CAD drawings let you see the bathroom properly before you commit.

They help with:

confirming proportions and clearances
spotting awkward clashes early
choosing the right product sizes
reducing “surprises” later

In plain English: CAD turns “I think it’ll fit” into “I’m confident it’ll work”.

Book a showroom visit

If you’re planning a new bathroom and want help turning ideas into a layout that works in the real world, the simplest next step is to see options in person.

Book a showroom visit and bring your measurements and photos. You’ll leave with clearer direction and a layout plan you can actually move forward with.

Zohaib