Bathroom Door Width Guide — 5 Key Ideas: Practical tips and real-world surprises from a decade designing small spaces

I once convinced a homeowner that a 24-inch bathroom door would work — and watched their toddler get stuck halfway through. True story: we swapped it for a smarter layout and lived to laugh about it. Small choices like door width can make or break everyday comfort, and small spaces always spark big design ideas.

1. Standard residential widths

In my experience, most interior bathroom doors are 24, 28, 30, or 32 inches wide because they balance privacy, cost, and wall space. A 30-inch door is the sweet spot for many bathrooms — wide enough for easy towel-carrying and occasional bulky items, but not so wide it eats into wall real estate. Downsides? Wider doors need wider rough openings and sometimes stronger frames.

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2. Accessibility considerations (ADA and beyond)

For universal access, aim for a 32- to 36-inch clear opening. I’ve remodeled a few bathrooms where a 36-inch pocket door made wheelchair access seamless. The trade-off is that you may need to adjust cabinetry or plumbing to make room for the wider swing or pocket mechanism.

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3. Space-saving options: pocket and sliding doors

If you’re tight on clearance, pocket or sliding doors are lifesavers — they effectively allow you to have a wider opening without needing extra swing space. Installation can be trickier and slightly more expensive, and wall cavities must be coordinated with electrical and studs.

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4. Shower and ensuite door widths

Shower doors and ensuite entrances often benefit from being slightly wider: I usually specify 30–36 inches for master ensuite entries to handle linen carts and mobility needs. The downside is that larger openings can reduce wall space for towel bars or shelves, so plan storage elsewhere.

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5. Narrow bathrooms and creative solutions

For narrow bathrooms under 5 feet wide, 24–28 inch doors are common. I once designed a micro-bathroom that used a 24-inch bifold to preserve corridor width — it worked well but required higher-quality hardware to avoid sagging. Budget tip: invest in smooth-glide hardware to avoid noisy or sticky doors over time.

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Tips 1:

Measure the rough opening before you buy; door slab width plus jambs determine final fit. If you need to visualize the layout, try the 3D floor planner to mock up different widths and swings in seconds.

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FAQ

Q: What is the most common bathroom door width in the U.S.?

A: The most common interior bathroom door widths are 24, 28, 30, and 32 inches, with 30 inches being a popular middle ground.

Q: How wide should a door be for wheelchair access?

A: For wheelchair access, you should target a 32- to 36-inch clear opening to meet accessibility needs.

Q: Can I use a pocket door for any bathroom?

A: Pocket doors are great for saving swing space but require wall cavity space and coordination with plumbing and electrical; not every wall is suitable.

Q: Are wider doors more expensive?

A: Yes, wider doors can increase cost for the door slab, hardware, and possibly the frame or header; structural changes may add to budget.

Q: What about building code requirements?

A: Local building codes vary; always check your municipality’s requirements for egress and accessibility before finalizing door sizes. For authoritative guidance on accessibility standards, consult the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ada.gov).

Q: How do I choose between swing and sliding doors?

A: Choose sliding/pocket doors when floor space is limited; choose swing doors when you need simpler installation and tighter budgets.

Q: Will a wider door affect bathroom layout?

A: It can reduce adjacent wall space for storage or fixtures, so plan vanity and shelving locations accordingly.

Q: Where can I test different door widths in plan view quickly?

A: Use a floor planner to experiment with door widths and swings visually within your room plan.

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