Thats what we usually do. Finally.. we have code enforcement & ta da...walkways to mechanicals!! Sure makes life easier!! Depending on size of ceiling joists we either use 2 x 6' or 2 x 10's toenailed with screws into ceiling joists. Insulate original cavity then added depth. I find that installing the 2 x's across the existing joists makes the walkways solid. And cutting plywood into 2' sections is so much easier to hand up as needed. Having seen so many uninsulated areas in attics, trying to blow insulation under walkways, hvac platforms & water heater platforms usually doesn't work very well. I prefer to batt then deck these areas. Best of luck with your projects everyone.

lavender, I'm in the process of redoing my bedroom to some extent, although I don't dare ask my husband to repaint. But I am getting new bedding in a few days and then curtains and pillows for the bed, and perhaps an area rug to put at the foot of the bed. I'll be needing lots of advice soon! edible, I like your bedroom and bedding as they are in the picture; all the colors go so well together. Would love to see the new version too, though. I have a hard time putting together different colors and pattern, and from what I can see here I'm the only one with that problem. At least I know who to go to for advice. jakabedy, your style is interesting in that it's very strong and geometric, but the bed also has a somewhat feminine vibe. It's one of the more unique bedrooms here, but I wish we could also see the master bedroom.

My first collection of comments are related to your revised drawing/plan: As I look at your revised drawing it doesn't look square. You state that the room is 6x6. But even so I think you will only get about 19-20" between vanity and toilet. Unless you got an 18" vanity, which is what I did in my East Bathroom that is 6.5' wide. If you remove the chimney you could put a window there. I've placed a small window in my West Bathroom, that previously was lacking one, and I love it. In my West Bathroom (I show in the last set of pics) I have a cast iron Kohler shower pan that is 36x60", with glass doors (French). I could see you doing something like that in your room. The curb is about 2" finished floor. Easy to get in and out of. The cast iron is a dream to maintain. Even better might be using a 36x48" pan then have 18" to one side for storage, as you can see in East Bathroom pictures, to the left of the tub. The storage could be in the form of pullouts like a pantry, or cabinets with pullouts like mine. They would be deep, so the pullouts would be very helpful for access. If you did cabinets, the lower drawers wouldn't be as deep, to allow for the toilet. The upper ones could be deeper. The plumbing could be housed in that pocket too. I like the idea of moving that closet wall to give you the width you need for the toilet and vanity. My East Bathroom; to demonstrate 6.5' wide room with 27" toilet round bowl, with 18" vanity. The floor tiles are 6x12 to help with floor scale. The pull outs at the tub are not as deep as the 30" tub, due to the toilet in the way, but are great for storage. roughing in: the pullouts, the plumbing is in there too and you can just sort of see the wall mounted tub fixtures. the pullouts come out as far as that door, just to the toilet tank: This toilet is the Toto Promenade in the round bowl. I love this toilet and would recommend it. But I love Nancy's idea of the wall mounted toilet with the tank in the wall. I have a Bidet on it now as you can just slightly see by the toilet lid in the pic above): These second comments relate to the plan where the chimney stays in place: I like the idea of expanding the shower. Here, a Kohler pan 36x48" could work well. One thing I did in my West Bathroom was a long wall niche that allows for a bit more elbow room. Its the only thing I like about having a niche, because they can get bogged down with products and trap water on the shelf, causing mold. I wipe down my shower daily following the showers. Last one to shower gets the honors. Its a quick wipe down of all walls and glass. Floor gets a clean every couple months, if that, depending on the shower load. I haven't had to "clean" my shower in 4 years, because of my daily habit (that I never had before). So glad I adopted this habit, I did not want the ugly mess that my old acrylic shower/tub combo had become. Since your wall is not an out side wall you could put a niche there. I only place 2 bottles of product on that shelf, lol. Any extra go in a basket that sits on the shower floor at the far end. I have a nice clinical shower stool in there too, with a gray seat that matches the floor. Nice to sit once in a while to let the rain shower head run on me. Having your toilet move down into the new expansion would be great. If you could move the wall 18" you could have that left wall become a wall with shallow built in 15" cabinets. Maybe a even a pass through into the closet for some things. It could even have a counter and uppers sort of like a kitchen. My West Bathroom; 5' shower space, with grab bar, niche, Hansgrohe rain shower head and hand held, and Fantech brand exhaust fan with light on the ceiling. The motor is in the attic and split into two locations in the bathroom, on at the shower and the other at the toilet: French doors, allow me to open the whole thing if needed, but I just use one normally: Kohler shower pan, in remodel process. This one has a center drain: Don't forget the exhaust fan, and a gap under your door to allow for make-up air to enter the room so the fan can work at evaluating the moist shower air. Click any photo for enlargement and full view.

If you converting your attic to a habitable space you will have to meet building code requirements and if you plan to have there a bedroom you have to meet egress requirements. That said if you trying to make part of your attic to act as a "loft bed" in that case you can use a regular ladder if you want. Your best bet is to visit your building department and show them what you trying to do and they will tell you exactly what needs to be done, and if you doing that without permits, you can do whatever you want but I wouldn't recommend that, because that could be an issue during the sale of your home down the road or most importantly someone getting hurt.