I know the feeling! I'm also doing a spur of the moment bathroom. Luckily, it's not the only one in the house. I feel for you!!

Give us a basic sketch of your layout, and maybe some pictures of nearby rooms so we can get an idea of your style?

The layout will have to remain the same. Enter the bathroom and the tub is to the right in an alcove,

The toilet is right in front of you as you enter the room. There is a window over the toilet. There is a pedestal sink, with a tri panel medicine cabinet directly across from the tub. A 3 light fixture is over the sink and there is only one outlet to the left of the sink. The distance from the sink to the tub is about 24 inches. I often laugh that you can soak your feet while brushing your teeth while seated on the throne! I guess in 1940 the idea was to do your business then get out. No spa experience in my house.

The only storage is the medicine cabinet, and a tall inset closet about 14 inches wide cabinet on the tub wall, where we borrowed about 5 inches from the linen closet. I use this closet for toiletries, etc.

I have had white 4x4 tiles in the tub area and a white grey veined ceramic 8x8 flooring. The is one pot light over the tub .There are frosted glass sliding doors on the tub. (When we had shower curtains there was always water on the floor). I am kind of tired of white, and trying to clean the grout around all those tiles. Perhaps 12x24 would be an option. I also need a quiet exhaust fan for the ceiling.

I think that I need to make the bath attractive to potential buyers. My husband and I are seniors. If we need to go into senior living I want the bath to look up to date not like something buyers see at grandma's house. I am close to NYC transportation, so the younger couples in my neighborhood are in their late 30's with one child. There are 3 bedrooms and two linen closets on the level with the bath. My style is traditional, but I would rather install a bath that appeals to younger people.

Thanks for your help.

Is the layout staying the same because of budget?

Do you plan to live in this house as long as you're physically able? If yes, I think you should design this bathroom accordingly and not worry about resale as much.

im presently working on an apartment design for my parents who are 64 and 68. Even though they are super fit and healthy I'm planning the bathroom with as many ADA recommendations as possible. I'm becoming increasingly passionate about true aging in place design and if that interests you, I'd love to try to help.

What size is the bathtub alcove?

if you're open to moving things around, please draw the space and post.

Yes, we plan to stay here. The layout is the same because there is no other place to put things. It is a small room. If the tub was moved where the toilet is I would be flashing my neighbors when I showered....

The bathtub alcove will fit a five foot by 32 inch tub. The tub that I presently have is the Princeton by American standard. Kohler makes a left drain Archer tub that will fit.

there are still layout ideas you may not have considered. This renovation is a great opportunity to make changes that will help you stay in your home longer and do so as safely as possible.

My in-laws renovated their small bathroom a few years ago and although the bathroom looks very pretty I know that the way the space is organized if my mother in law or 72 year old father in law ever requires a walker there's no way they'll be able to safely use their toilet. If that ever happens they'll be forced to use a portable commode. Not a great way to live in ones home with dignity.

if you're going to invest in a renovation, please take a few minutes and explore all your options. Provide a detailed drawing and include any space that could be stolen from a closet or other space. I'm steeped in ADA bathroom planning right now and would sincerely love to throw out some ideas.

Do you need a bathtub or could you use a (more easily accessed) shower in this bathroom? Is there another tub in the house where one could bathe a child?

I need a tub...There are no other bathrooms with a tub in the house. I think a cast iron tub is out. Too heavy to carry upstairs and not enough room to make the corner.

I am thinking resale. guess I would have to back up into the bathroom if I needed a walker. Not enough room to turn around. If I need a wheel chair I will have to move. No bath or powder room on the first floor.

This is strictly a one person bathroom.

I stole the few inches from my linen closet 19 years ago. My gas forced air vent is on the other side the sink. The sink wall backs up on a linen closet and the bedroom closet of bedroom number 2. . There really isn't anywhere to borrow space.

Any suggestions for vanities, flooring, bath fans, tile or surrounds? I would really like a vanity with slide out drawers so I can store my electric toothbrush, water pick and hair dryer.

I spent another day on pinterest and I am seeing double.

Thanks for all your help. I will sketch out the details tomorrow,

A true ADA bathroom starts with the door width. You either have the
width to get a wheelchair in there, or you don't. You can reframe the
door to get that width, or you can't. There are narrow wheelchairs,
transfer-type wheelchairs, that can fit in spaces that regular
wheelchairs can't.

If you can't fit a wheelchair in there, or don't plan on fitting a WC
in there, then the vanity can be whatever you want it to be. You could
go with slightly less depth to increase your floor space, but also go with a taller vanity, to help maintain storage. Drawers
instead of doors can help with access.

You can get an ADA toilet to fit your existing space. Just be sure to match the rough-in dimension (usually 12", but sometimes 10" or 14"). Use a waxless toilet ring (Fernco and a few other places make them) to minimize the chance of future leaks.

Tub? For your restricted space, go with a tub that will fit and one that is functional, but use a transfer seat/bench to get in and out of the tub. Fairly inexpensive, they do the job, and they can be placed where you want them. There are transfer seats that can assist getting on and off the toilet as well.

It's overwhelming at first. But hang in there, clarity will prevail.

Thanks for the
helpful hints, especially the one about the waxless ring. My house will
never be wheelchair accessible. Too many stairs, narrow doorways, etc. I
just want to use ADA compliant fixtures so that it will be easier for me as I
age. The funny thing is that I grew up in one of the first accessible
houses in my state, My dad was an 100% disabled veteran, so I am familiar with
the wide halls, doorframes, baths etc. We even had to remove corners in our
hallway to accommodate an experimental bed that the VA made for him. It was
controlled with a chin control joystick. My dad had the engineers laughing when
he asked what should he do if he sneezed.

I
really appreciate your input on selecting tile, vanities and lighting
that I will need. This project was unexpected.

Thanks again. You all are the best.