I've been thinking the same thing . . . my master bath is like an airplane bathroom! At first, I was going to put a swinging glass door on the bathroom--the kind that can swing both ways. Then my GF suggested hanging the door so it opens "out," as you're suggesting. Still trying to decide on this one myself. Unfortunately, a pocket door is out of the question, since that would mean I would have to delete half of my surround sound system! Was also looking into these aluminum folding doors which looked kinda cool. What I really wanted to install was an automatic sliding glass door (like the kind in spaceships in the movies--how cool would that be?), but that introduces the same problem as the pocket door.

We installed the shower door to swing inward and outward. After showering, while fan is running we leave the door pushed in, and the transom window tilted, so that any drips go onto shower floor instead of bathroom floor. Floors are existing hard woods, so this was important to us. The only drawback the installer told us, which we were fine with, is that we won't get as tight of a seal for steam. The installer did a good job with the measuring and the seals because it stops at the curb perfectly; we'd have to continue pushing on the door to make it keep going to open outward. We almost never open it outward though; only if cleaning and want the door out of the way. We like it this way; easy reach-in to turn water on is a plus.

My master (HAH...tiny, tiny) bathroom door currently opens in. Although it does not block access to anything as it opens against a wall, I am planning to change it so that it will open into the bedroom instead. My reasoning is that I am attempting to make the bathroom less claustrophobic and am going to install a window on the wall that the door would block when open. I have built a ceiling to floor, wall length closet in the bedroom and the door will open into the end space of that closet so that it will look more like a hallway into the bathroom, not just a door opening into the bedroom space. Make sense? I gave up coffee recently....just not fair. I love the look of the interior barn doors, however in my case it would take up most of the only wall I have in the bathroom...although I suppose one could put towel bars on it...I may have to rethink this...

Thanks Lyfia! All three ideas could work well. The closet wall currently would be between the two transom windows, so it wouldn't block either. Still, I especially like your idea of putting in a nice PAX closet, at least initially. A 59" (or 49") PAX closet, with a bench or plant in front of the left sidelite. I think that could work very well (if DH will be willing to be unconventional. I'm from Europe, so I'm quite used to wardrobes and no closets). I've been wanting to do a closet organizer anyway, so PAX could accomplish that. And, as you'd said, it means we could see what the space really feels like after we move in. This makes me wonder whether the entry door should be 2'8" rather than 3'0" wide. A smaller door might make the space feel larger ... and would leave more of the closet accessible. I'd assumed that 3' was more practical for bringing in fridges, couches, etc. But if 2'8" is a standard, then there must be other ways movers cope with massive furniture. Thanks! Very interesting ideas for me to sleep on. :-) (Yawn).