Who doesn’t want their bathroom to look and feel like a spa? But contrary to what most people think, designing a bathroom is not an easy task. Apart from making sure it has good ventilation, sufficient storage space and most importantly, proper plumbing, you also need to pay attention to its overall layout, aesthetics and figure out where to install your bathroom accessories so that they are easily accessible while being at a safe distance from young children and pets.
Since installing bathroom accessories, such as towel bars and cabinets, are among the last items on every contractor’s to-do list, a lot of people don’t really pay much attention to it. Although there are no set guidelines for where to place bathroom accessories, there are few expert recommendations you should follow while remodelling your bathroom. Otherwise, you might end up paying big bucks to replace or reposition them later down the road.
Installing Bathroom Accessories
Here is a list of accessories that are generally included in every bathroom layout.
- Towel bars
- Mirror
- Wall cabinets and open shelves
- Soapdish/ dispenser and toothbrush holders
- Toilet paper holder
- Robe hooks or wall hangers
Let’s take a look at the standard mounting heights for bathroom accessories and how should you go about installing them. After all, the beauty of any remodelling project lies in its details.
Towel Bars
Towel bars are an extremely important bathroom accessory, as you need it to dry your towels after every use.
As a rule of thumb, towel bars are generally placed across from the sink and near the shower area. To be honest, the placement of this accessory has more to do with your own convenience and the bathroom layout more than anything else. The thing is, you don’t want to hang your hand towels too close to the sink, or else they might end up getting damp every single time someone turns on the tap. The same goes for bath towels.
Ideally, you should install a towel bar approximately 45 to 48 inches above the floor. This will make it easily accessible while leaving enough room for larger bath towels to hang. Moreover, measure a towel bar correctly before drilling any holes into your tiles, as you might end up damaging your tiles due to incorrect measurement. For those going the DIY-route, you can also check out the widely-available adhesive towel bars that stick onto the tiled walls and don’t require any drilling.
Depending on how much space you have in your bathroom, you can even opt for a towel hook instead of a horizontal bar. It saves space and looks just as neat.
Mirrors
There are a few things you need to keep in mind while installing a mirror in your bathroom, such as its size, weight and intended usage.
Considered one of the most important bathroom accessories, mirrors are usually placed above sinks and vanity countertops. Depending on your layout and preferred style, you can opt for a framed mirror, a frameless mirror or a full-length mirror. Both framed and frameless mirrors come in a variety of sizes and shapes, though the former is usually heavier than the later.
A strategically placed mirror can create an optical illusion of more space, making any room look bigger. So, even if you have a small bathroom, you should consider investing in a full-length mirror.
Although there is no standard height for bathroom accessories such as mirrors, you need to place one in your bathroom according to your own height (and of those who live with you). According to most interior designers, the centre of a bathroom mirror should ideally be at your eye level. So, installing a bathroom mirror 50 to 60 inches away from the finished floor should work perfectly for most individuals. However, it’s always recommended to select its position according to your convenience.
You use hooks, cleats or brackets to secure a bathroom mirror to the wall.
Moreover, you can also take a look at some clever mirror hacks to make a room look more spacious.
Wall Cabinets and Open Shelves
Ideally, every bathroom should have both wall cabinets and open shelves. While cabinets are only used as a storage space, open shelves can be used for decorative and storage purposes. Not to mention, they can add more depth to your bathroom décor, making your layout look modern and well-thought-out. You can use these shelves for items such as scented candles, potted plants and fragrance diffuser among others.
One must decide on the position of wall cabinets while designing a bathroom layout. Generally, cabinets are installed approximately 50 to 55 inches above the finished floor. If you can spare more space for accessories in your bathroom, you can even go for floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets in one corner. The standard height for installing open shelves is also similar. You just need to make sure these storage areas are easily accessible by all the grownups in your house.
Moreover, if you are opting for a vanity countertop, you can ask your contractor to build cabinets and/or drawers under it. This will not only give you additional storage space but also make your bathroom design look sleek and trendy.
Soap Dispenser and Toothbrush Holder
Soapdish and dispenser must be placed right next to the sink at the same height as the tap. On the other hand, when it comes to the shower area, make sure to install a soap dish out of the shower spray. The ideal height for placing these bathroom accessories is between 48 to 55 inches above the floor, though it can be adjusted as per your convenience.
A shower caddy for your shampoo, conditioner and other products must also be positioned out of the shower spray. You can mount it above the soap dispenser or dish. As for toothbrush holders and wall-mounted toothpaste dispensers, they must also be placed at the same height as the soap dispenser next to your sink for a more cohesive look.
However, if your bathroom design includes a countertop instead of a separate sink, you can simply place your soap dish and toothbrush holder atop it. Just make sure the colour of these bathroom accessories goes well with the rest of your décor to create a harmonious look.
Toilet Paper Holder
The ideal height to install a toilet paper holder is between 20 to 26 inches above the finished floor. While its height can be adjusted according to the homeowner’s convenience, its placement is something that must not be changed. As per the experts’ opinion, a toilet paper holder must be placed approximately 6 to 8 inches away from the front edge of your toilet, preferably on the wall beside it. As for its height, mounting one 25 to 30 inches above the floor sounds fine.
Installing a toilet paper holder on the wall behind the toilet or too far away from it defeats the entire purpose of getting one in the first place. In case you don’t have enough space to mount a holder on the wall, look into the floor-mounted ones that are widely available both online and in markets.
Robe hooks or hangers
Robe hooks and hangers are one of the most overlooked yet important bathroom accessories. Generally, these are placed behind the bathroom door or on a wall away from the shower area and sink. Depending on your bathroom design and space, you can either opt for hooks or hanger or maybe even both.
You can mount robe hooks or hangers approximately 55 to 60 inches above the floor, though the height can be adjusted according to what’s most convenient for the person who would be using the bathroom. You can also install a small bar for your hand towels near the sink or the bathroom counter.
On a side note, whether you are building your house or are merely renovating it, don’t forget to take a look at some of the most common bathroom design mistakes that all homeowners need to avoid. Moreover, you can also check out our budget-friendly tips and tricks to make your bathroom look much more extravagant.
If you’re planning to remodel your home and or need more tips on the best placement for bathroom accessories, head over to Zameen Blog – the top lifestyle and home décor blog in Pakistan. To send us your queries and suggestions, drop us an email at blog@zameen.com. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates about the property market in Pakistan.
