What are the different types of bathroom? The 5 layouts to know, and what they mean

When it comes to types of bathrooms, it can be easy to get lost in the jargon, especially when you're dealing with contractors. You can make an educated guess at what a full, quarter, or half-bath is, but without a grounded understanding in what these terms mean, mistakes and miscommunications can slip through the gaps. 

In general, these types of bathroom are defined by components such as the WC, sink, shower, and bathtub, which each make up one-quarter of the four components of a bathroom. A combination of all these or a few is what defines a bathroom type.

There are five major types of bathrooms, usually ideal for certain types of accommodations, spaces, and the footprint available. If you are in the process of either buying a new house or are planning on renovating, then these modern bathroom ideas and layouts, explained by in-the-know designers, will come in handy.

What are the 5 types of bathrooms?

Full bath

(Image credit: Union of Art Interiors. Photo credit Madeline Tolle)

'Essentially, a full bathroom can be anywhere between a primary bathroom, a kid's bathroom, to a guest bathroom, as long as it has all of the essential components like a sink, toilet, bathtub, and shower,' says Tamarra Younis, founder of Union of Art Interiors. 'Often, you will see full bathrooms consisting of a shower/tub combination with a vanity, which is perfect for an average-sized bathroom.'

This is the most versatile and valuable bathroom type, packing many functions into one space. Usually, a full-sized bathroom is usually best suited for medium to large-sized, two-bedroom homes. 

A full bathroom also allows more than one person to use the space, with the addition of a double vanity. Several design and decor additions can be made to this type of bathroom, such as a freestanding bathtub or large vanity mirrors. The storage space too is ample here.

Half Bath

(Image credit: Captex Construction. Photo credit Mandeline Harper)

'A half bath is a powder room or guest bathroom that doesn’t have a shower or a tub,' says Danny Spears, founder of Captex Construction. 'Half baths are typically located near the entryway or common areas of the home and include a sink and toilet.'

Since these powder rooms are more utility spaces for brief and limited use by visitors, they can hold a minimum amount of storage space. These are advantageous to those who have a lot of family members or those who entertain a lot. They are also easy to clean and maintain because they are limited to just a sink and toilet.

'A half bath is very convenient because it will allow you to offer guests quick and easy access to a toilet and sink without stepping into your private space,' says Julia Mack, founder of Julia Mack Design. 'Oftentimes these small half bathrooms or powder rooms can be upgraded with fixtures and finishes like wallpaper, flattering lighting, and luxury accessories.'

Quarter Bath

(Image credit: Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design.Photo credit Leela Cyd)

A quarter bath is a small bathroom layout has only one main fixture like a toilet or a shower, usually situated in a home's basement or outhouse. They are often referred to as utility toilets or utility showers.

The benefit of this type of bathroom is that it saves space, is more efficient for smaller homes and apartments, and is usually used by handymen or visitors. 

This bathroom is considered an extra one in the house and can be useful if you need that space for just a shower or the toilet when too many people visit, or in a home with a large family. The extra shower space is a perk when it comes to the resale value of your house. 

Three quarter bath 

(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop)

This type of bathroom has either a shower or tub with one sink and a toilet. It is slightly smaller and more compact than a full bath, where the shower or the bathtub hugs a wall or a window, while the toilet or vanity is positioned right next to the bathing area. 

'Often homeowners don't desire a full bath and opt for a lovely shower set up, which is where the 3/4th bath is most appropriate,' says Mindy O'Connor, owner, and principal of Melinda Kelson O'Connor Architecture & Interiors. 'In fact, there's always a debate regarding the need to retain a tub for resale value in at least one bathroom. But, in houses with many bathrooms, a bathtub is not always desired in more than one washroom.'

A three-quarter wet room is much more commonly found than a full bath as these are more compact, and cheaper to build. If long, leisurely soaks in the bathtub aren’t a priority for you, a three-quarter bath can be a good money-saving option than a full one.

Jack and Jill

(Image credit: Lisa Staton. Photo credit Michael Clifford)

'A Jack and Jill bathroom is accessed by two bedrooms and is typically full-sized,' says Mindy. 'It is similar to an ensuite but has two entry doors and serves two bedrooms rather than one. It is not typically accessed from a general hallway.'

Bathrooms are generally expensive to build or renovate, which is why one large bathroom that can serve two bedrooms can save space and money. A Jack and Jill layout is also ideal for people who frequently have house guests, where a private bath for each bedroom would be excessive. 

Usually, these have a single sink, bathtub or shower, and toilet, but if the layout is generous, then the space can feature a double sink, a separate stall, or an area for the toilet or bathtub so two people can the room at once. Plenty of bathroom storage can be accommodated here, with shelving or closets, ensuring there is enough space for towels, soaps, and toiletries.

Other types of bathrooms

(Image credit: 1000x Better. Photo credit Alex Zarour of Virtually Here Studios)

These five types of bathrooms apart, there are a few other variations of washrooms such as a master bathroom (a variation of a full bath) which is, in terms of size, the biggest one in a home. This can also be an ensuite design, sharing space with a large, master bedroom. It can feature a sauna or steam room, along with a toilet, shower, sink, and plenty of storage.

A split entry bathroom has a separate compartment for the entry area and the sink, while the toilet and bathtub are encased in another area of the bathroom. These are ideal for when the bathroom needs to be shared by more than one person, as it gives the feeling of two separate washrooms.

Corner shower bathrooms are much like a three-quarter baths, comprising a toilet, sink and shower stall. The only difference is in its variation of the floor plan, where the shower stall is always placed in the corner of the room. It has a triangular shape, with the entry to the stall facing into the room.

Which bathroom size is right for you?

(Image credit: Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design. Photo credit Leela Cyd)

If you're wondering how to remodel a bathroom or build it from scratch, and are unsure of the style you want, then assess the situation based on: the number of people living in the house, the family requirements, your budget, and your style.

In a large size home with substantial space for all rooms, a full bath, a Jack and Jill, or even a ¾ would be more suited as it can accommodate multiple users at once. 

In terms of costs, the larger the bathroom you choose, the more expensive it will be. So if you want a more economical solution, a three-quarter or a quarter bathroom may work better. 

For the inclusion of luxurious elements, while it is usually best to choose a large size space where you can bring in a freestanding tub or exquisite marble flooring and large vanities, you can create a style quotient in a half bath too, but will just key elements, like wallpaper or a compact chandelier. Consider which aspects of a bathroom are crucial to you and choose the right bathroom size to accommodate it.

What about a city apartment bathroom?

(Image credit: Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design. Photo credit Leela Cyd)

Due to space constraints, city apartments pose a separate challenge. 'City living usually means tight quarters,' says Jessica Risko Smith, founder of Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design. 'The best type of bathroom layout for smaller spaces is a full bathroom with a shower/tub combination or a three-quarter bathroom, which has a shower only. Separate tub and shower baths demand larger square footage, and typically aren't the best choice when dealing with small spaces.'

'Ideally two full bathrooms are great for apartment living but realistically, one full bathroom and one half bath is more likely what is on the market,' says Julia.