The previous layout with the reach-in closet is better.

@Mark Bischak, Architect for our use case we disagree. We want to have space in the bedroom itself for a dresser & television opposite the bed. Do you think a 3' walkway between the shower and toilet/vanity is sufficient, or would you suggest 4' as well?

Have you considered a concept that would give the bedroom three exterior walls?

I would never want to walk into a bedroom and walk right into the bed and bedside table.

I also would never want a closet on a corner outside wall. That's a waste of quality space for windows.

Honestly your original layout with the reach in closet was 100x better than any of your changes. With today's closet organizers, it gives you lots of ways to create multiple storage options.

Looks like you got a linen closet space in version 2? Important to you?

@cpartist We don't want to walk into the bed and nightstand either, which is why we're asking them to revert to the previous furniture/window configuration. We'd also like to have a tv along the wall opposite the bed (perhaps a controversial topic?), which is why a reach-in closet being there wouldn't work for us. We had mentioned that in our first meeting with the designers, which is why they included the first image above with their draft.

The alternative Mark mocked up could achieve both of these directives (and add even more windows), but it results in a positively massive bedroom that seems out of place in a modest 2bdrm rancher we're trying to keep under 1600 sq ft.

For the ensuite walkway:

• code minimum is 21"
• recommended minimum is 30"
• I'm leaning toward 36"
• designer's suggesting 48"

Any input on this question would be helpful!

@tfitz1006 I think they just didn't include a linen closet in the initial drawing since it was a rough mockup sent in addition to the first draft.

With 6'-7.25" we'll have room for a 24" linen closet + 6" plumbing wall + 48" shower with 1.25" of wiggle room. We could go with an 18" closet and larger shower if we wanted, but chose 48" as our minimum.

With Mark’s layout, the master goes north but you don’t have to go as far west. A shorter left-to-right bedroom also gives you some flexibility on bathroom layout due to flexibility of window placement.

@bpath Sorry, should have mentioned that the overall exterior east-west dimension is set at 20'-11.75" since it's determined by the basement staircase and hallway below. I mean we could reconfigure the staircase (and then also mudroom) since it's all still just virtual paper at this point, but we don't have the same qualms with the general layout that others here have pointed out.

Of course we're always open to input outside of the question at hand, it's all good food for thought! But we would still really like to know whether a 3' walkway in a bathroom would sufficient for others or if bumping that to 4' would be worth it.

I think 36” in the bathroom would be tight. I’d rather have a 30” walkway in the closet and more space in the bathroom.

Mock-up a 30", 36", 42", and 48" walkway in your current bathroom.

@Mark Bischak, Architect Current bathroom has a ~24" walkway haha. We did mock up the 36" and 48" versions with tape on the floor of a wide open space, but the lack of walls doesn't provide the same feeling.

My parents have a 6' x 8' bathroom in a similar configuration, but they have a bath/shower combo and our shower will be wider, so again, not quite the same. That's why we're crowdsourcing opinions from internet strangers who might have experience with these particular dimensions!

Use a table to simulate the vanity, use a wall to simulate a wall. Move the table to simulate the distance the vanity is from the wall.

TV's can be incorporated into a reach in wardrobe. Here are just a few examples. (And no, you won't get an argument from us as we also have the tv opposite our bed)

Wardrobe/TV Unit · More Info

Stylish sliding door wardrobe in contemporary new build. · More Info

Meadowbrook Bothy · More Info

TV wardrobe in a villa in savion · More Info

I just measured in our two bathrooms, which I like. One thing to keep in mind is that the door itself intrudes a good 4” into your passage space when it is open, so your 36” passageway will often be only 32”. It makes a difference.

So, keeping that in mind, our bathrooms offer 42” of space between the vanity and the open door. Both vanities are almost 8.5” in from the edge of the door trim, and nearly a foot from the opening.

Here’s why we like that: 1) When standing at the vanity, we aren’t standing completely in the passageway, or practically in the doorway for the sink closest to the door. 2) There is room to scoot in a bit, when someone else has to come in. Even though we get ready separately, it seems like someone always has to get something, or bring something. 3) It helps hide the vanity a bit from the doorway. It’s just a nicety, but a nicety it is. 4) Open drawers don’t protrude into the doorway.

I strongly recommend a vanity wide enough to have one or two banks of drawers as well as medicine cabinet. And maybe a cabinet over the toilet.

Thanks so much for taking the time @bpath! I think 42" could be a good middle ground for us :) All really good points about the benefits of added space.

We're considering a pocket door to the ensuite. Although less ideal as a sound barrier, it would save a good deal of room inside and eliminate the risk of accidentally bashing into someone.

And yep we'll be getting a vanity that maximizes storage space with drawers, plus a medicine cabinet mirror.

There is an old rule of thumb (that I just made up) that all walkways should be three butts wide. How that is interpreted is up to you to decide.