There’s a lot to think about when planning a bathroom, right down to how high things sit and how much room to leave around them.
There’s no single measurement that will work for every bathroom, but there are some very useful starting points. Here are the ones worth having nearby while you plan, plus a few things to check before everything gets installed.
The measurements below are a general guide for Australian residential bathrooms. Always check the specifications of your selected products and confirm final placement with your builder, plumber or tiler.
Vanity, basin and mirror measurements
Your vanity, basin, tapware and mirror all need to work together, so it helps to think about their measurements as a group rather than deciding on each one separately.
How high should a bathroom vanity be?
Around 900 mm from the finished floor to the top of the basin is a good starting point.
The important bit here is to the top of the basin. If you’re using an undermount or integrated basin, your benchtop may sit around this height.
If you’ve chosen an above-counter basin, the vanity itself will usually need to sit lower. A tall basin placed on top of a standard-height vanity can quickly make the finished height uncomfortable to use.
Choose your basin before locking in the vanity height and work backwards from there.
How high should wall-mounted tapware sit above a basin?
For wall-mounted basin tapware, allow around 100–200 mm between the top of the basin and the spout as a general guide.
The exact position depends on the basin shape and depth, as well as the projection of your spout. Too high and you may end up with more splash; too low and you lose comfortable space underneath.
If you’re planning wall-mounted tapware, having the actual basin and tapware selected before plumbing rough-in makes this much easier to get right.
What height should a bathroom mirror be?
A mirror centred at around 1500 mm from the finished floor is a useful starting point.
There’s plenty of room to adjust this one. Consider the height of the people using the bathroom, the size and shape of your mirror, the basin and whether you’re installing a shaving cabinet.
The aim is for the mirror to feel comfortable to use, rather than hitting 1500 mm exactly.
Shower heights and placement
There are a few measurements happening in a relatively small space here. Shower head, screen, mixer and niche placement should all be considered together, along with who’ll actually be using the shower.
How high should a shower head be?
Around 2100–2200 mm from the finished floor is a useful guide for shower head height.
This can move depending on the shower fitting and the height of your household. If you have particularly tall people at home, it’s worth checking the position before installation rather than automatically working to a standard height.
How high should a shower screen be?
Around 2000 mm high is common for shower screens in Australian bathrooms.
The actual dimensions will depend on the screen you choose, so check the product specifications before installation, particularly if your shower head or other fittings will sit close to the top of the glass.
How high should a shower mixer be?
Around 1100 mm from the finished floor is a good starting point for a shower mixer.
Think about reach as well as height. Depending on your shower layout, being able to turn the water on without having to step directly underneath it can be a very nice detail on a cold morning.
How high should a shower niche be?
For the base of a shower niche, around 900–1100 mm from the finished floor is a useful starting range.
Before settling on the final position, check what you’re actually planning to put inside it. That extra-tall shampoo bottle is much easier to account for now than after the niche has been tiled.
And then, have a look at your tiles.
Let your tiles have a say
The ideal niche position on a plan might move slightly once your tile layout is worked out.
If shifting it by a few centimetres means lining the top or bottom up with a grout line, you can avoid small, awkward tile cuts and end up with a much cleaner finish.
The same thinking applies to a shower ledge. Around 1200 mm from the finished floor is a common starting point, but your tile format may give you a better place for it to land.
This is particularly worth checking with larger format tiles, where the position of each cut becomes much more noticeable.
Bathroom clearances and accessory heights
Not every useful bathroom measurement is attached to the wall. The empty space around your fixtures matters too, especially once you start opening drawers, stepping out of the shower and actually moving around the room.
Accessories have a little more flexibility, but a few starting heights can save some guesswork.
How much space should you leave in front of a vanity?
Allow at least 750 mm of clear space in front of the vanity as a general guide.
That gives you room to stand comfortably at the basin and use drawers or cabinet doors without the room feeling too tight.
When space is limited, check the depth of your actual vanity rather than planning from its width alone.
How much space should you leave in front of a toilet?
Allow at least 600 mm of clear space in front of the toilet as a general layout guide.
It’s an easy measurement to overlook when everything technically fits on the floor plan. Giving the toilet enough usable space around it is what makes the layout work once you’re actually in the room.
How much space should you leave beside a shower screen?
As a general guide, allow at least 100 mm between a fixed shower screen and an adjacent fixture, such as the side of a vanity.
This is one of those small gaps that can make a bathroom feel much less cramped, particularly in a compact layout.
How high should a toilet roll holder be?
Around 700–750 mm from the finished floor is a useful starting height for a toilet roll holder.
Placement matters just as much as height. It should be comfortably within reach while seated, with around 200–300 mm forward of the toilet being a useful guide depending on the layout and mounting position.
How high should a towel rail be?
Around 1100 mm from the finished floor is a good starting point for a towel rail.
There’s an easy way to check this one before drilling: hang the towel you’ll actually use from the rail and hold it against the wall. You’ll quickly see whether it needs to move up or down.
How high should a robe hook be?
Around 1700 mm from the finished floor works well as a general starting point for a robe hook.
This is another measurement that can move to suit your household. Make sure it’s comfortable to reach and leaves enough room for a robe or towel to hang without bunching up against anything below.
Bathroom measurement FAQs
What is the standard bathroom vanity height in Australia?
Around 900 mm from the finished floor to the top of the basin is commonly used as a starting point for residential bathrooms.
With an above-counter basin, the vanity itself may need to sit lower so the finished basin height remains comfortable.
How high should a shower head be in Australia?
Around 2100–2200 mm from the finished floor is a useful general guide.
The final position should take into account the shower fitting you’ve selected and the height of the people using it.
What height should a shower niche be?
A shower niche base at around 900–1100 mm from the finished floor is a good starting range.
Before finalising it, check the height of the products you want to store and how the niche will line up with your tile layout.
How high should a toilet roll holder be?
Around 700–750 mm from the finished floor is a useful starting height.
It should also sit within comfortable reach from the toilet, so consider its horizontal position rather than measuring height alone.
How high should a towel rail be?
Around 1100 mm from the finished floor works well as a general guide.
Towel size and household height can affect the final position, so test it with an actual towel before installation if you can.
Measurements in this guide are general recommendations for residential bathroom planning and may vary depending on your products, layout and household. They are not a substitute for applicable building requirements or product installation instructions. Always confirm final measurements and installation requirements with your builder, plumber, tiler or other relevant trade.
