WASHROOM DESIGN
5 min read
September 2026
Toilet Cubicle Sizing: Design the Usable Space, Not Just the Dimensions
Toilet Cubicle Sizing: Design the Usable Space, Not Just the Dimensions
Toilet Cubicle Sizing: Design the Usable Space, Not Just the Dimensions
A few simple plan checks can prevent some of the most common cubicle layout problems before they reach site.
A few simple plan checks can prevent some of the most common cubicle layout problems before they reach site.
A few simple plan checks can prevent some of the most common cubicle layout problems before they reach site.
In this article
A toilet cubicle can appear perfectly reasonable when viewed simply as a set of dimensions. The real test comes when the sanitaryware, partitions, pilasters, door and door swing are all placed within that space.
A toilet cubicle can appear perfectly reasonable when viewed simply as a set of dimensions. The real test comes when the sanitaryware, partitions, pilasters, door and door swing are all placed within that space.
Across many projects, we have seen otherwise straightforward layouts become difficult once these elements are brought together. Most of these situations are easily avoided. The key is to design the usable space inside the cubicle, rather than treating the cubicle as an empty rectangle.
Across many projects, we have seen otherwise straightforward layouts become difficult once these elements are brought together. Most of these situations are easily avoided. The key is to design the usable space inside the cubicle, rather than treating the cubicle as an empty rectangle.
Check the depth against the door swing
Check the depth against the door swing
For an inward-opening cubicle, the overall depth needs to account for both the projection of the WC and the swing of the door.
For an inward-opening cubicle, the overall depth needs to account for both the projection of the WC and the swing of the door.
A layout may initially appear adequate, but once the sanitaryware is drawn at its actual projection, the available space can reduce quickly. In a shallow cubicle, the door may strike the WC before it can open fully.
A layout may initially appear adequate, but once the sanitaryware is drawn at its actual projection, the available space can reduce quickly. In a shallow cubicle, the door may strike the WC before it can open fully.
Even where the door technically clears the WC, that does not necessarily mean the layout is comfortable. The user still needs somewhere to stand while entering the cubicle and closing the door.
Even where the door technically clears the WC, that does not necessarily mean the layout is comfortable. The user still needs somewhere to stand while entering the cubicle and closing the door.
A useful check is therefore to draw the actual sanitaryware, complete door swing and a practical standing zone before finalising the cubicle depth.
A useful check is therefore to draw the actual sanitaryware, complete door swing and a practical standing zone before finalising the cubicle depth.
Cubicle depth should be checked against both sanitaryware projection and the inward door swing. Dimensions shown are indicative and should be coordinated with project requirements and applicable standards.
Consider door position, not just door width
Consider door position, not just door width
The door does not always need to sit in the centre of the cubicle frontage.
The door does not always need to sit in the centre of the cubicle frontage.
Its position needs to work with the WC location, required clear opening, pilaster widths and available internal space. In wider cubicles particularly, an offset door can sometimes produce a considerably more usable arrangement than a centred one.
Its position needs to work with the WC location, required clear opening, pilaster widths and available internal space. In wider cubicles particularly, an offset door can sometimes produce a considerably more usable arrangement than a centred one.
Looking at the complete plan rather than treating the frontage as a symmetrical composition can reveal a better solution.
Looking at the complete plan rather than treating the frontage as a symmetrical composition can reveal a better solution.
WC position, pilaster widths and door location should be considered together rather than independently.
Coordinate WC setting-out with the cubicle layout
Coordinate WC setting-out with the cubicle layout
Cubicle partitions are often installed relatively late in a project. When plumbing and sanitaryware positions are being set out, the washroom may therefore still appear on site as one large open space.
Cubicle partitions are often installed relatively late in a project. When plumbing and sanitaryware positions are being set out, the washroom may therefore still appear on site as one large open space.
The future partitions nevertheless matter.
The future partitions nevertheless matter.
As far as practicable, each WC should sit comfortably within the usable width of its eventual stall. If sanitaryware setting-out and cubicle setting-out are considered independently, a WC can end up unnecessarily close to a partition.
As far as practicable, each WC should sit comfortably within the usable width of its eventual stall. If sanitaryware setting-out and cubicle setting-out are considered independently, a WC can end up unnecessarily close to a partition.
A simple way to avoid this is to overlay the proposed cubicle layout onto the sanitaryware setting-out before positions are fixed on site.
A simple way to avoid this is to overlay the proposed cubicle layout onto the sanitaryware setting-out before positions are fixed on site.
This gives the architectural, MEP, site and cubicle layouts a common reference before installation begins.
This gives the architectural, MEP, site and cubicle layouts a common reference before installation begins.
An example showing why sanitaryware setting-out and the eventual cubicle layout need to be considered together to ensure comfort and space.
Leave somewhere comfortable for the user to stand
Leave somewhere comfortable for the user to stand
Making everything physically fit is not quite the same as making a cubicle comfortable to use.
Making everything physically fit is not quite the same as making a cubicle comfortable to use.
Consider what happens after someone enters. Is there a clear area where they can stand while closing the door? Can they move without brushing against the WC or partitions? Does the door swing through the space where the user naturally needs to stand?
Consider what happens after someone enters. Is there a clear area where they can stand while closing the door? Can they move without brushing against the WC or partitions? Does the door swing through the space where the user naturally needs to stand?
As a practical design check, illustrating a standing zone can help make this otherwise invisible space obvious on the drawing. The appropriate dimensions will depend on the project, sanitaryware and applicable requirements; the important principle is to draw the user into the plan, rather than checking the components alone.
As a practical design check, illustrating a standing zone can help make this otherwise invisible space obvious on the drawing. The appropriate dimensions will depend on the project, sanitaryware and applicable requirements; the important principle is to draw the user into the plan, rather than checking the components alone.
This does not replace applicable accessibility or regulatory requirements. It is simply an additional usability check.
This does not replace applicable accessibility or regulatory requirements. It is simply an additional usability check.
Design the complete plan
Design the complete plan
Good cubicle sizing is less about finding one universally correct dimension and more about understanding how the elements interact.
Good cubicle sizing is less about finding one universally correct dimension and more about understanding how the elements interact.
Before fixing the layout, look at the WC, partitions, pilasters, door width, door position, door swing and usable standing space together.
Before fixing the layout, look at the WC, partitions, pilasters, door width, door position, door swing and usable standing space together.
It is a small coordination exercise at drawing stage that can prevent much more difficult adjustments once plumbing, finishes and partitions begin arriving on site.
It is a small coordination exercise at drawing stage that can prevent much more difficult adjustments once plumbing, finishes and partitions begin arriving on site.
Final thought
Cubicle layouts work best when the space is considered from the user’s point of view. Bringing the sanitaryware, enclosure, door movement and usable standing space together at an early stage can help create a more comfortable layout and avoid difficult adjustments later.
Cubicle layouts work best when the space is considered from the user’s point of view. Bringing the sanitaryware, enclosure, door movement and usable standing space together at an early stage can help create a more comfortable layout and avoid difficult adjustments later.
Working through a cubicle layout?
If you have a project-specific question, ECLS can help review the proposed arrangement and identify potential coordination issues.
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ECLS
Building Better Spaces Through Expertise and Innovation.
Specialist interior systems for washrooms, changing rooms and shared spaces, manufactured in Bahrain and supplied across the GCC.
PRODUCTS
Toilet Cubicle Systems
FORTIS Door
OLYMPIAN Lockers
Bench Seating
Duct Panelling / IPS — Coming Soon
Vanities — Coming Soon
© 2026 ECLS Specialty Furniture. All rights reserved.
Built in Bahrain. Serving the GCC.
ECLS
Building Better Spaces Through Expertise and Innovation.
Specialist interior systems for washrooms, changing rooms and shared spaces, manufactured in Bahrain and supplied across the GCC.
PRODUCTS
Toilet Cubicle Systems
FORTIS Door
OLYMPIAN Lockers
Bench Seating
Duct Panelling / IPS — Coming Soon
Vanities — Coming Soon
© 2026 ECLS Specialty Furniture. All rights reserved.
Built in Bahrain. Serving the GCC.
ECLS
Building Better Spaces Through Expertise and Innovation.
Specialist interior systems for washrooms, changing rooms and shared spaces, manufactured in Bahrain and supplied across the GCC.
PRODUCTS
Toilet Cubicle Systems
FORTIS Door
OLYMPIAN Lockers
Bench Seating
Duct Panelling / IPS — Coming Soon
Vanities — Coming Soon
© 2026 ECLS Specialty Furniture. All rights reserved.
Built in Bahrain. Serving the GCC.