5 x 8 bathroom layout – Common Layout Options And More

A 5×8 bathroom layout refers to a bathroom that is 40 square feet, which is the minimum size for all bathroom amenities, including one tub or shower, one sink, and one toilet. Today, we will discuss this size and how to make it appear spacious and comfortable for your needs.

Common Layout Options

These are common layout options for your 5×8 bathroom to maximize your space:

1:  Linear

A linear setup places all of your fixtures on one side of the room, freeing up the opposite walls for storage and general navigation space. For a full linear arrangement, place the bathtub or shower at one end of the 5-foot side and the toilet and sink on the other 8-foot side. 

2:  Three Fixture

One of the most common arrangements separates your toilet and sink along one 5-foot wall and puts your bathtub or shower on the 8-foot wall opposite. This arrangement gives you space to navigate the door or move around your bathroom freely. The empty space is enough for one small cabinet.

3: Four Fixture

A four-fixture setup places the toilet and sink on opposite ends of your 5-foot walls, usually near the door. The remaining 8-foot wall can accommodate a small tub and a small shower, or, usually, a shower/tub combo with a small storage unit. 

Tips for Designing Your 5×8 Bathroom:

Now that you have chosen your layout, here are some important tips to keep in mind when designing your space:

1) Good Lighting

Proper lighting is a must for any space as it helps to amplify the qualities of the space. Recessed lighting will make your bathroom more elegant and expensive by highlighting proper elements in your bathroom while hiding imperfections. Since a 5×8 bathroom can feel small and cramped, proper lighting will help you create the illusion of a much larger space and make it feel comfortable without actually expanding the space. 

2) Keep Plumbing Together

When designing your space, you will generally start with your essential elements such as your tub, shower, toilet, and vanities. For this reason, you want to keep your plumbing in one area to prevent weird obstructions with snaking pipes through your bathroom. If you can keep your plumbing together, this provides two main benefits: you can solve problems immediately without dismantling anything major and you can design your space with the maximum amount of walking space available. 

3) Window First

Your window should be integrated first before you map out or plan the other fixtures in your bathroom. Your window needs to be easy to access to provide ventilation, and ideally, you want it near your bathtub/shower or your sink. Having one aspect of your bathroom that needs to be easily accessible will help you determine where to place your other fixtures around it. 

4) Sliding or Pocket Doors

An element that takes up quite a bit of space in your bathroom is your door. When designing the space, you need to account for the full swing and width of the door, and based on how large the doors get, this will take up at least 25% of your available space. By opting for a sliding or pocket door, you can utilize much more of your space and avoid any door injuries. 

5) Determine your Bathtub Needs Early

Bathtubs take up a large amount of room, so it’s important that you determine if you want or need one for the space. This will dictate your design choices early and it’s important to establish your needs early on. If you need a bathtub, for example, the bathtub should be the first thing you acquire for the space, and you design the rest of your bathroom around it. 

6) Always Opt for Space-Saving Fixtures:

Since space is a premium, save wherever you can. Opt for pedestal sinks, or wall-mounted vanities to maximize your available floor space. Choose a more compact toilet, or a small soaking bathtub, a single-door shower, or a corner bathtub. Every little bit counts especially in a bath space, so if you make the sacrifices here and there, you afford yourself more available space to play around with. 

7) Maximize Storage

Storage will always be a premium in your space, so always look for clever ways of hiding or storing bathroom elements you don’t need. Shelves are always more handy than having a full-sized cabinet, so opt for shelving when possible. Have hidden cubbies below your vanity. Use regressed or hidden shelves in your shower for toiletries. Use wall hooks and other niches to complement and expand your storage options. Clutter can make your bathroom feel cramped and claustrophobic, so it’s important to keep your bathroom neat and organized. 

8) Shower Flush

Keep your shower flush with the small side of the wall. The same goes for your bathtub because you don’t want to waste space accommodating a shower or bathtub on the large side of the wall. This will place it in the middle and it will block or limit your available floor space. You can maximize your overall floor space by having it flush with the wall. 

9) Sink Options

When choosing a sink, opt for either a pedestal or a wall-mounted sink. While vanity sinks are popular and useful, most spaces can’t always accommodate a full-sized vanity, so choosing a sink option that saves you space and acquiring storage options later is best. 

10) Mirrors

Mirrors can help enhance the effectiveness of your light fixtures, which means you can redistribute your light sources elsewhere while making your space feel more expansive. Mirrors also provide a necessary function in the bathroom, making them essential, so invest in a good-sized mirror. 

While the space can seem small, choosing the correct layout and focusing on your home’s individual needs will give you a clear idea of how to design the space. With some clever planning and space utilization, your 5×8 bathroom won’t seem so small after all. 

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.