The shift from open to broken plan layouts has been a huge topic of conversation in kitchens this year, but what about bathrooms?
Now more than ever, people are gravitating toward bathroom layout ideas that feel a bit more divided, and it’s an approach interior designers are championing. A broken plan bathroom creates thoughtful zones and a greater sense of privacy.
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What is a Broken Plan Bathroom?
An old closet has been transformed into a shower nook in this design, giving the whole design a softer, more lived-in look.
(Image credit: Design by Sarah Catherine Design/Photo by Caroline Sharpnack)
We have become very used to the classic bathroom layout, where you enter the room and the shower, bath, vanity, and toilet are all placed in one open room. But broken plan layouts are challenging this classic approach, creating clear zones.
It’s about breaking up a large space where everything is visible in the same flow. Perhaps it’s a shower nook, a glass divider separating the bath area, or even a dedicated space housing only your bathroom vanity.
‘We’re seeing a growing interest in broken-plan bathrooms as people move away from purely functional spaces towards something more considered. Rather than one open room, subtle zoning allows areas for bathing, washing, and dressing to sit alongside each other while still feeling connected,’ explains James Lentaigne, Creative Director at Drummonds.
‘What makes it so appealing is the balance between openness and privacy. It brings a more architectural approach to the bathroom, with greater emphasis on layout, proportion, and flow. There’s also a practical advantage, particularly in larger spaces, helping to manage light, movement, and acoustics without the need for full enclosure.’
Why it’s Trending
The shower has been located in a completely separate room in this design, so the vanity and wash space feel more zoned.
(Image credit: Sophie Paterson Interiors / Photography Darren Chung)
The emergence of broken plan schemes comes at a time when bathroom trends are shifting towards cozier spaces that feel more like a tranquil retreat than a functional room. But bathroom designs are also getting more personalized, designed less to impress and more to reflect the homeowner.
‘Creating zones within a broken plan makes the floor plan feel intentional. It shows how the family uses the space beautifully and creates purpose within every area,’ says Laura Williams, Founder and Principal Designer of Living Oak Interior Design.
It’s that sense of understanding how a bathroom is used, rather than creating something that looks good to outsiders, that truly appeals, and a more segmented layout really aids this.
Even a simple walled partition between the shower and vanity area can create a sense of zoning, as shown in this scheme.
(Image credit: Ca’ Pietra)
‘We are constantly trying to refine how we live, looking at how the past has lived and trying to improve on it to work better with our current needs. Many people are staying at home more, so focusing on their needs more, rather than guests, and so wanting more space for their daily lives. It is actually harking back to the original bathrooms where loos were separate rooms,’ says interior designer Octavia Dickinson.
‘Broken plan bathrooms allow for more than one person to use different aspects of the bathroom at the same time. It also means there are zones for different things; a zone to go to the loo, a zone to have a peaceful bath in, a wet zone for the shower, a light zone for the basin to see well in,’ she continues.
‘It allows one to be playful and stick to more practical design in areas where it is needed, but splash out in areas that are less high traffic and less precious.’
How to Design a Broken Plan Bathroom
When designing a broken plan bathroom, decide on the element you want to have divided from the main space. It could be the shower in a separate nook, or the vanity in its own area that feels a bit more dressing room-like.
‘Start with what items you want to have in your bathroom, if it’s a bath, shower, toilet, basin, double basin, large double shower, etc, and then look at all the options of where they can go on your floor plan,’ suggests Octavia.
‘Think about the flow, and what you want near each other, and also where it is best to have the window(s). It makes sense to section off the toilet and also the shower, two areas that work well enclosed on their own.’
1. Introduce a Wet Room
Demonstrated beautifully in this design, using a glass partition is a great way to break up the layout without creating dark, dingy corners.
(Image credit: Living Oak Interior Design/Madeline Harper Photography)
One of the easiest ways to create a more broken plan bathroom is to introduce a wet room layout. The shower and bath sit behind a glass divider, naturally breaking up the room to keep the wetter areas away from the dry.
‘A wet room is a sure way to create a beautiful broken-plan bathroom. Having the shower and tub together not only maximizes space but also creates a separation between the showering area and the vanity area,’ says Laura.
In this bathroom, a glass divider between the wet room area, housing the shower and bath, and the vanity space is effective in zoning the two areas without blocking light. The areas feel separate yet still cohesive.
2. Use Furniture to Create a Broken Plan Bathroom
In this scheme, the vanity has been hidden behind pocket doors so it can easily be closed off when not in use.
(Image credit: Drummonds/Christian Bense/Alexander James Photography)
This bathroom feels far from a cold space, with a forest-themed tapestry covering the walls, which, on first look, you might assume only a freestanding bath lives in this space. But smartly designed pocket doors create a broken plan layout, hiding the vanity.
‘There are several ways to approach [a broken plan bathroom], from partial walls or half-height partitions to changes in level or material. Glass screens and open frameworks can define areas without interrupting light, while freestanding pieces such as a bath or shower can act as natural dividers within the room,’ says James.
A mix of the two has been used here, with built-in cabinets allowing the homeowners to switch between uses, and hide away the vanity and storage when they just want to relax in the tub. ‘The pocket door vanity creates a subtle division between bathing and function while keeping the visual flow uninterrupted.’
3. Locate a Shower or Bath in a Dedicated Nook
This bathroom takes the shower nook trend one step further, with an old cupboard now used to house both the shower and the toilet, really separating function and prettier elements.
(Image credit: Octavia Dickinson/Christopher Horwood photography)
Where some broken plan bathrooms require screens and dividing walls to be erected, others can work with the existing architecture and utilize niches and small closets to create a more zoned layout.
‘It can create a more interesting bathroom layout where you are thinking about the different sections of the bathroom individually. Having the shower in its own niche meant it didn’t need a door, giving the bathroom a more easy, relaxed feel,’ says Octavia.
The key takeaway from utilizing niches and different zones is that you can get creative with different designs and materials within one (usually) small space. ‘You can create vistas, arches into each section, and play with different door designs,’ adds Octavia.
Broken plan layouts aren’t about completely separating the different components of the room, but zoning and dividing to create a better flow and a greater sense of privacy. These spaces demonstrate how effective broken layouts can be, whether it’s a glass screen to separate the shower or a vanity you can close behind pocket doors.
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