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Ideal Bathroom Size

Reading Time: 7 minutes | Article from 12.8.2025

For personal hygiene, natural needs or relaxation, a bathroom is essential in any house or flat. If you have the flexibility to choose the dimensions of your bathroom yourself in a new build or renovation project, our guide sets out the main points you need to consider when it comes to bathroom size.

How small is a small bathroom? We explain all!Bathroom essentials: things you can’t do without!Plan your dream bathroom with our Villeroy & Boch experts

Content

At a glance

The size of your bathroom will depend on your individual needs.
The number of people in your household and whether or not there is a second bathroom will also determine the size you need.
The positioning of the plumbing connections, power outlets and other elements are key factors in bathroom planning.

The right size for your home’s bathroom

In other living areas, you can move or replace furniture as required. Things are not so easy, however, in the bathroom. Once a bathroom has been completed, any subsequent adaptations involve high costs and a lot of work. This makes it all the more important to plan carefully and make sure your bathroom is the right size for your needs.

How big is a standard bathroom?

The size of an individual bathroom depends on both the type of bathroom and the available space in your house or flat. A bathroom usually measures between seven and eight square metres, with the average bathroom in rural areas often larger than an urban home.

When is a bathroom considered small?

Experts categorise bathrooms as small, medium-sized and large. Medium-sized bathrooms cover six to ten square metres. If your bathroom has a floor area of more than ten square metres, it is classed as large. Conversely, the room is considered small if it measures less than six square metres.

More about small bathrooms

Are there minimum sizes for bathrooms?

There is no standard minimum size for bathrooms. However, a bathroom will always need enough space to fit everything in while remaining functional. So when planning a bathroom, don’t forget to consider how much room you need to move around, as well as the size of the sanitary installations.

Planning an accessible bathroom

For wheelchair users, a bathroom will need a surface area of at least 5.7 square metres. If you are simply planning a walk-in shower in your accessible bathroom for age considerations, you can make do with a smaller surface area.

How to design an accessible bathroom

Finion bath in a classic bathroom with blue walls and wooden floors.

Modern bathroom with a wall-mounted Venticello washbasin, a large mirror, a bidet and a toilet. A window offers a view of greenery and there is a white cabinet.

A modern accessible bathroom with a toilet and washbasin from the ViCare collection by Villeroy & Boch.

What do you need in a bathroom?

If you’re ready to design your bathroom yourself, we have prepared a list of all the items you will need:

Toilet - unless this is in a separate room
At least one washbasin
Shower, bath or both
Coordinating taps
Storage space in the form of bathroom cabinets and shelves
Mirror
Lighting
Plug sockets
Heating
Optional: a bidet or urinal
Bathroom accessories such as towel holders, soap dispenser and toilet brush

Top view of a small bathroom with a wall-mounted washbasin, a mirror, a toilet and modern decor with abstract art. The room has a white floor, white walls and a wooden door.

Other points to bear in mind when planning

Once you have determined the size of your bathroom and the layout of the sanitary fittings, you will need to complete a few more steps. The following points are important too:

Have your connections checked: ask a plumber to check the existing connections as there are often restrictions if you need to change their position during a renovation.
Plan ventilation: if there is no window, you will need to provide effective ventilation.
Consider plug sockets: think about sockets for hairdryers, razors and other appliances.
Style and colour scheme: choose a consistent style and a coordinating colour scheme.
Budget and time: keep an eye on your budget and timeframe to avoid any unexpected costs.

Diagram of a reclining person with coloured dots along the back and legs indicating pressure points.

Everything you need for your feel-good bathroom

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