Today’s Innovative and Creative Space Planning - Taking the Standard Bath Layout to Another Level

Moving beyond the typical line up of bathroom fixtures is becoming the standard for the new century bath. Throughout the last century the typical 5' x 8' bath has been duplicated in nearly every home built all across the country by every builder, in about the same way every time.

The old bath model was indeed a box that sorely needed some outside thinking. The new movement toward innovative design is being predicated by lifestyle changes and fueled by customer demand.

Housing for the middle class family required compact fixtures. In its infancy, in the early 60's, a separate bath - often just a small shower, sink and water closet - was attached to a corner of the master bedroom. It typically backed up to the interior end wall of the main bath. Tubs in the main bath did double duty with the shower attached. That little mid-century addition to the master bedroom soon became a convenience to the masses that gave rise to a new space plan that we now refer to as the "master suite." Since then, today’s master suite has slowly evolved into something much like the bathrooms we’ve only witnessed in the past, as part of the palatial old mansions belonging to the upper class of yesteryear….But we've gone beyond.

During the past couple decades, there arose a movement toward separating the fixtures, which requires additional space allotments. Our baths have expanded in size to become 15’ x 20’. Walls have grown up to enclose the water closet. Traditionally located beside the tub or connected to it, showers have leapt out of the tub and opened up in both size and visual terms. The new model may move a main fixture across the room or place it at center stage.

We are now seeing the shower morph into a walk-in feature that has no entry curb. We have luxurious fixturing and showerhead types that conveniently locate in multiples to cover the entire body at one time. Overhead "rain" fixtures and space accommodations for more than one person are extremely popular. Seating in the shower and the closet or dressing area has become a "must."

The old bathtub in its earliest gentrification became a built-in soaking tub that was later jetted. Newer models now have waterfall fixtures and endless rims. Recently we have seen continuous "soft" bubbles gaining favor over the jets, and soft tub walls lend even more comfort.

This spring at a national kitchen and bath convention in Chicago, I saw heated tub walls being incorporated into fabulous new tub and shower designs. Of course there are the steam showers, towel warmers, heated floors, music, computers and video, programmable lighting and a myriad of electronic "simple pleasures" to be had. Fixtures, handles and knobs are now construed as "art" pieces, innovative in both design as well as function.

Ceramic tile and stone, glass and metals have evolved into the most imaginative design elements since the beginning of time. Why? Because the bath is no longer a utility room - it is a destination.  The master suite has become the master “retreat.” Baths are tied to a new social meaning. Today’s “spa” culture interprets the bath in terms of sanctuary, relaxation, and pleasure, as much emotional and spiritual in nature as the physical aspects. 

With all the new century product innovations and new client ideals before us as tools, designers are thinking “outside the box” in space planning terms. We are setting new standards to meet the up-scaled goals of our clients. 

For example, in a recent remodel, we borrowed space belonging to a small bedroom and re-purposed it into the master walk-in closet. French doors were added to the enlarged master bedroom to gain entry to the private garden beyond. The bed was set in the center of the room and backed up to a “His & Hers” bath. 

Featured are its oversized glass, 2-person shower with separate side entries, located in its own niche directly across from the shower. The sky lit ceiling rises to the roof over the two fixtures lending prominence and drama to the bathing space. The water closet is both easily accessible from the bedchamber as well as fully enclosed. The entire suite was re-configured using spare space from previous rooms, suiting the lifestyle and spatial needs for the owners of this 30-year old home.

Before and after floor plans of the master bath represent a gutted and then reconfigured space plan that corrected an uncomfortable flow, created enlarged separate toilet and walk-in shower areas, expanded the closet and vanity storage areas, and opened up the space to its maximum. I wanted to create an uncomplicated, serene experience for the homeowners and give them a drop-dead beautiful master suite that was both uncluttered and simple to use.

One of its most successful space planning solutions was the placement of a single, pivoting, glass door replacing the doors that formerly ate up the lion’s share of the closet and bathing areas that they cordoned off.

The budget enabled the employment of state-of-the art fixtures, and materials such as frosted glass tile, in combination with porcelain, polished marble, polished nickel, and solid crystal. Deep chocolate walnut cabinetry and hand applied silver leafing were selected to imbue the space with luxury, glamour and convenience, but every element was intentioned expressly to remain strictly within the context of simplicity.

With all of the impact and experience that today’s bath offers, there is simply no going back.


Bonnie K. Crawford, ASID
NCIDQ certified, NKBA, MBA
Bonnie Crawford Design Group
Bonnie@bcdginteriors.com
www.bcdginteriors.com