Bathroom measurements: WC–bidet spacing, basin height and clearances

How far should the toilet be from the bidet? How high should the basin go? Getting these measurements right is what makes a bathroom comfortable to use every day, especially in a small room. Here are the reference figures Italian designers and installers work with, and how to use them on your own plan.

The quick reference

These are the commonly quoted minimums, based on the Italian plumbing standard UNI 9182 as summarised by Immobiliare.it. More space is always more comfortable.

• WC to bidet (side by side): at least 20 cm between the edges; 25–30 cm is more comfortable, and 30–40 cm in a large bathroom.
• WC or bidet to side wall: at least 15 cm.
• Basin to WC or bidet: at least 25–30 cm.
• Bidet to shower or bath: at least 20 cm.
• Basin to shower or bath: at least 5 cm.
• Free space in front of each fixture: at least 55 cm; about 70 cm is ideal.

Heights

Basin

Most guides suggest a rim height of 80–85 cm from the finished floor, and never below 70 cm. Adjust it for the people who use the bathroom most: taller users may want more. With a countertop basin, remember the bowl adds height, so the top goes lower. Our countertop basin guide explains how to work it out.

WC and bidet

In homes, the top of a wall-hung WC usually sits around 40–43 cm from the finished floor, with the seat adding a little more. The bidet should be set at the same height so the pair lines up. A big advantage of wall-hung sanitaryware is that the height is chosen when the frame is installed. Floor-standing models have a fixed height set by the ceramic. See wall-hung vs floor-standing toilets for the full comparison.

Accessible bathrooms

Where Italian accessibility rules (DM 236/1989) apply, the figures are different. As summarised by Disabili.com and Edilizia.com:

• WC and bidet top at 45–50 cm from the floor.
• The axis of the WC or bidet at least 40 cm from the side wall.
• The front edge of the WC 75–80 cm from the rear wall.
• At least 100 cm of side space, measured from the fixture axis, for transfer from a wheelchair.
• Basin top at 80 cm from the floor.

Always check the full text of the decree, and any regional rules, with your designer before building.

How to plan your layout

1. Draw the room to scale, including the door swing and window.
2. Mark the existing drains. Moving a WC drain is the most expensive change, so start from where it is.
3. Place each fixture using its real dimensions from the technical drawing: a WC that projects 55 cm needs that plus the free space in front.
4. Check the gaps above between each pair of fixtures and in front of each one.
5. If space is tight, go wall-hung (the floor stays clear and looks bigger) and choose a compact basin.

Small bathroom tips

• Shallow basins such as the SPY Washbasin 45cm x 20cm free up passage space. The whole SPY range is designed for compact bathrooms.
• Wall-hung WCs and bidets need a frame each, plus the fixing kit for wall-hung WC/bidet.
• Compare the projection (depth) of different models in the wall-hung collection: a few centimetres can make the difference.

Watch it done

To see how installers mark out heights and spacing on the wall, browse bathroom layout and installation videos on YouTube.

Not sure your layout works? Send us a sketch with the room measurements and the product codes you are considering. Technical drawings are available for every model.

Recommended products

WC FORM Hung

Bidet FORM Hung

SPY Washbasin 45cm x 20cm

Fixing for WC / Bidet Hung

Sources and further reading

• Immobiliare.it: distances between sanitaryware (in Italian)
• Arredamento.it: basin height and space (in Italian)
• Edilizia.com: wall-hung sanitaryware, heights and frames (in Italian)
• Disabili.com: accessible bathroom measurements under DM 236/1989 (in Italian)