Height Matters: Get Your Sinks, Mirrors, Rails Hung Right
Learn what the recommended heights are to make your bathroom features both accessible and comfortable
A bathroom layout is mostly a pretty easy decision. If the plumbing is already in place and you’re using standard-size pieces, like a typical 152-centimetre bathtub, there aren’t a whole lot of options for rearranging that floor plan. However, when bringing your dream design into the real world, you have to consider the third dimension and figure out what height is right for everything you bring into your room. Consider this your guide to hanging, installing and aligning the many small features of your bathroom.
An above-counter vessel sink will naturally sit much higher than an inset below-counter sink, and so a vessel should be placed on a lowered cabinet to compensate. Ultimately, you should try a few different sinks (in store or in bathrooms you like) and figure out the height that feels most comfortable for you.
Shop for bathroom sinks
Shop for bathroom sinks
Mirrors
Likewise, the height of mirrors should be based on your own height. Find an average eyeline for everyone using the mirrors and make sure this height is well within the upper and lower borders of the mirror (1.6 metres is average, but your household may vary).
Likewise, the height of mirrors should be based on your own height. Find an average eyeline for everyone using the mirrors and make sure this height is well within the upper and lower borders of the mirror (1.6 metres is average, but your household may vary).
In many situations a centreline can be created between the counter and the ceiling for the most symmetrical look. (Using this same centreline for sconces reinforces the effect, as seen here in one of my projects.)
People often place the bottom edge of the mirror above the faucet, but in fact allowing the two to visually overlap can create a very elegant effect.
Makeup Stations
When combining a standing vanity with a sit-down makeup station, you’ll need to adjust the height down to about 71 centimetres or lower (minimum: 61 centimetres.).
When combining a standing vanity with a sit-down makeup station, you’ll need to adjust the height down to about 71 centimetres or lower (minimum: 61 centimetres.).
Try sitting at a real desk or vanity and see if it feels comfortable, considering you’ll be applying makeup rather than typing – going on the low side is better for leaning forward.
9 steps to a beautiful and functional make-up corner
9 steps to a beautiful and functional make-up corner
Showers
Enclosures
I prefer to run shower enclosure glass to the full ceiling height (with the door just slightly below, to allow for a free swing), as I did in the bathroom shown here. An 45-centimetre-wide fixed panel and a 61-centimetre-wide door panel work well for a typical 152- centimetre tub. Place the doorknob at about 91 centimetres off the floor or wherever is comfortable for you to reach. (Follow the placement of knobs in other rooms that work well for you.)
Enclosures
I prefer to run shower enclosure glass to the full ceiling height (with the door just slightly below, to allow for a free swing), as I did in the bathroom shown here. An 45-centimetre-wide fixed panel and a 61-centimetre-wide door panel work well for a typical 152- centimetre tub. Place the doorknob at about 91 centimetres off the floor or wherever is comfortable for you to reach. (Follow the placement of knobs in other rooms that work well for you.)
Benches
Shower benches have lots of practical uses, such as giving you a place to perch your leg when shaving. Thus, the top can sit a bit lower (41 centimetres) than typical seat height.
Shower benches have lots of practical uses, such as giving you a place to perch your leg when shaving. Thus, the top can sit a bit lower (41 centimetres) than typical seat height.
Showerheads
A showerhead, even a rainshower one, shouldn’t sit so low that you must crouch or so high that the water pelts you rather than gently raining down. A height of 198 centimetres is typical, but this can be adjusted for taller or shorter bathers. Also keep in mind that it must project far enough for you to stand under it, which is especially important to remember when you have a shower bench or a tub-shower combination.
A showerhead, even a rainshower one, shouldn’t sit so low that you must crouch or so high that the water pelts you rather than gently raining down. A height of 198 centimetres is typical, but this can be adjusted for taller or shorter bathers. Also keep in mind that it must project far enough for you to stand under it, which is especially important to remember when you have a shower bench or a tub-shower combination.
Niches
I love adding niches to shower areas, for the practical storage capabilities and the beautiful accent. For a tub they make sense just above the tub surface, as you’ll be lying down when you reach for that shampoo, but in a shower they should be much higher, around 122 centimetres, so you don’t have to lean down to reach anything.
Place your shower controls around 107 to 122 centimetres at the centre, and a tub filler 10-15 centimetres above the top of the tub.
I love adding niches to shower areas, for the practical storage capabilities and the beautiful accent. For a tub they make sense just above the tub surface, as you’ll be lying down when you reach for that shampoo, but in a shower they should be much higher, around 122 centimetres, so you don’t have to lean down to reach anything.
Place your shower controls around 107 to 122 centimetres at the centre, and a tub filler 10-15 centimetres above the top of the tub.
Toilet Paper Holders
When placing the paper holder, the tendency can be to picture the roll as hanging lower than it really should. Standard height is about 66 centimetres off the floor, which is closer to the height of the top of the tank than to the seat, so I recommend placing it on this level for a clean line, like I’ve done in this bathroom. Attaching it to the side of the vanity (toward the front rather than centred, for reachability) is another option for tighter spaces.
Tricks to hide the necessary but unsightly features
When placing the paper holder, the tendency can be to picture the roll as hanging lower than it really should. Standard height is about 66 centimetres off the floor, which is closer to the height of the top of the tank than to the seat, so I recommend placing it on this level for a clean line, like I’ve done in this bathroom. Attaching it to the side of the vanity (toward the front rather than centred, for reachability) is another option for tighter spaces.
Tricks to hide the necessary but unsightly features
Towel Bars and Hooks
For other accessories, like towel hooks and robe hooks, the height is flexible, but consider the length of what will hang. Towels need at least 91 centimetres typically and it’s best not to eyeball it. A standard towel rail is 122 centimetres above the floor, but it can be adjusted to line up with something else (like the knob on the shower cubicle or the towel hooks over the vanity) without being too hard to reach.
For other accessories, like towel hooks and robe hooks, the height is flexible, but consider the length of what will hang. Towels need at least 91 centimetres typically and it’s best not to eyeball it. A standard towel rail is 122 centimetres above the floor, but it can be adjusted to line up with something else (like the knob on the shower cubicle or the towel hooks over the vanity) without being too hard to reach.
Designer secret: One of the items that I found often goes the most overlooked in bathroom design is actually one that ironically is best left unseen: the electrical outlets.
Here you’ll notice that the electrical for the vanity seems, well, to not exist at all. That’s because the outlet is actually tucked next to the vanity cabinet, just below the lower edge of the sink counter. This way it’s still conveniently positioned for plugging in a blow-dryer or electric shaver but is visually hidden from many angles.
TELL US
What mistakes in your bathroom do you wish you could correct? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom
Here you’ll notice that the electrical for the vanity seems, well, to not exist at all. That’s because the outlet is actually tucked next to the vanity cabinet, just below the lower edge of the sink counter. This way it’s still conveniently positioned for plugging in a blow-dryer or electric shaver but is visually hidden from many angles.
TELL US
What mistakes in your bathroom do you wish you could correct? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom
The counter height is typically 81-86 centimetres, but what’s actually more important is your sink height.