Bathroom Design Bulgaria 2026 | Modern Bathroom Planning Guide
Bathrooms are essential functional spaces that significantly impact daily comfort. Well-designed bathrooms combine practical layouts with quality materials, creating spaces that serve your family for years.
This guide covers bathroom design principles for new home construction in Bulgaria.
Bathroom Types and Sizes
Size Requirements
Minimum and comfortable dimensions:
| Bathroom Type | Minimum Size | Comfortable Size |
|---|---|---|
| Half bath (WC) | 1.2m × 0.9m | 1.5m × 1.2m |
| Shower room | 2.5m² | 3.5m² |
| Full bathroom | 4m² | 6m² |
| Master bathroom | 6m² | 9m²+ |
Bathroom Categories
Half baths contain only toilet and sink for guest or secondary use, offering space efficiency commonly on the main floor. Three-quarter baths add a shower to the toilet and sink without a bathtub, common for bedrooms in an efficient layout.
Full bathrooms include toilet, sink, shower, and tub for family use in multiple configurations requiring more space. Master bathrooms feature premium fixtures with possible double sinks, separate tub and shower, and walk-in shower options.
Layout Principles
Critical Dimensions
Toilets need 40cm minimum side clearance (50cm comfortable), 60cm front clearance (75cm comfortable), and wall-mount height of 40-45cm. Sinks require 60cm minimum width per user, 60cm front clearance, and 80-90cm height for comfort.
Showers range from 80cm by 80cm minimum to 90cm by 90cm comfortable, with walk-in showers at 120cm or more by 90cm or more and 60cm minimum entry width. Bathtubs measure 170cm by 70cm standard or 150cm by 70cm compact, needing 60cm access on at least one side.
Fixture Placement
Logical arrangement starts with the plumbing wall. Grouping fixtures on one or two walls reduces plumbing costs, simplifies installation, and provides easier maintenance access.
Door swing should open outward in small bathrooms; pocket doors save space. Doors should not block fixtures while maintaining privacy. Visual privacy ensures the toilet is not first visible when entering, using screens, partial walls, or frosted glass as layout considerations.
Fixtures and Fittings
Toilets
Standard floor-mount toilets (€100-400) offer traditional installation with easy replacement in various styles. Wall-hung toilets (€200-600 plus frame at €200-400) provide sleek appearance with easy floor cleaning and concealed tanks.
Bidet toilets or seats (€500-2,000) feature integrated cleaning with growing popularity, requiring electrical connection.
Sinks and Vanities
Pedestal sinks (€80-300) offer classic appearance without storage as a small space option. Wall-mounted sinks (€100-400) provide space efficiency with modern look and accessible area below.
Vanities with integrated sinks (€200-1,500+) include storage in various sizes with cabinet quality varying by price. Double vanities (€400-3,000+) feature two sinks with more storage as the master bathroom standard, requiring 120cm or more width.
Showers
Acrylic shower trays (€100-400) offer easy installation in various sizes as the standard option. Tile shower floors (€200-500 for labor and materials) allow custom sizes with seamless appearance, requiring proper slope construction.
Walk-in or curbless showers (€500-1,500 for the system) provide barrier-free access with a larger feel, using linear drains for optimal drainage. Shower enclosures range from pivot doors at €200-600, sliding doors at €300-800, walk-in glass at €400-1,200, to frameless at €600-2,000.
Bathtubs
Standard acrylic tubs (€150-500) are lightweight with many shapes as a budget-friendly option. Steel enamel tubs (€200-600) offer durable surfaces with better heat retention as the classic option.
Freestanding tubs (€500-3,000+) serve as statement pieces requiring dedicated space in various materials. Soaking or deep tubs (€400-2,000) have smaller footprints with deep immersion in Japanese-influenced designs.
Faucets and Fittings
Basin faucets include single lever at €50-200, mixer with spout at €80-300, wall-mounted at €100-400, and sensor-activated at €200-600.
Shower systems range from basic mixer at €50-150, thermostatic at €150-400, rain head systems at €200-600, to multi-function at €300-1,000.
Tile Selection
Floor Tiles
Ceramic tiles (€15-50/m²) offer good durability with many designs, though non-slip options are essential for bathrooms. Porcelain (€25-80/m²) provides higher density and better moisture resistance as the recommended bathroom option.
Natural stone (€50-150/m²) delivers unique appearance but requires sealing and ongoing maintenance. Large format tiles create fewer grout lines with modern appearance and larger feel, requiring professional installation.
Wall Tiles
Ceramic tiles (€15-60/m²) offer wide variety and easy cleaning as the standard option. Porcelain (€25-100/m²) serves as the premium option with through-body color and greater durability.
Subway tiles provide classic timeless style in various colors at affordable prices. Feature tiles create accent areas with decorative patterns at higher cost as design focal points.
Installation Costs
Tile labor rates vary by complexity: simple layouts at €20-35/m², complex patterns at €35-50/m², natural stone at €40-60/m², and mosaic at €50-80/m².
Ventilation
Moisture Control
Extract fan requirements start at 50 m³/hour minimum for small baths, 80-100 m³/hour standard, and 120 m³/hour or more for large or windowless bathrooms. Timer or humidity sensor control is recommended. Fan types include ceiling mount at €30-100, wall mount at €40-120, inline at €80-200, and combination light/heater units at €100-300.
Natural ventilation through windows is preferable where possible, with minimum 5% of floor area, though security and privacy considerations may require frosted glass.
Heating
Bathroom Warmth
Underfloor heating offers the most comfortable bathroom solution with electric mats at €40-80/m² or water systems at €60-100/m², working efficiently with tile floors.
Towel warmers serve dual purpose as heater and dryer, available in electric at €100-400 or hydronic at €150-500 as a style statement. Wall heaters including fan units at €50-150 and infrared at €100-300 provide quick supplementary heat.
Storage Solutions
Bathroom Organization
Vanity storage should prioritize drawers over doors, with shelf organizers and under-sink options to maximize space. Medicine cabinets are available surface-mounted at €50-200 or recessed at €100-400 with mirrored doors and lighting options.
Shelving includes wall shelves at €20-100, built-in recessed niches at €100-300, over-toilet units at €50-150, and shower niches at €50-200.
Lighting Design
Bathroom Illumination
Ambient lighting from ceiling fixtures should target 300-500 lux with waterproof rating of IP44 or higher and even distribution throughout the space.
Task lighting at the mirror and vanity provides brightness for grooming while minimizing shadows, positioned at the sides or top. Accent lighting uses LED strips and niche lighting for mood enhancement, ideally with dimmer control.
Budget Planning
Bathroom Cost Ranges
Complete bathroom budgets:
| Level | Cost Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €2,000-4,000 | Basic fixtures, standard tile, essential function |
| Mid-range | €4,000-8,000 | Quality fixtures, good tile, better finishes |
| Premium | €8,000-15,000 | High-end fixtures, premium materials, design features |
| Luxury | €15,000+ | Designer fixtures, stone, custom everything |
Cost Breakdown
Typical budget allocation divides as follows: fixtures including toilet, sink, and shower or tub at 35-45%; tiles and installation at 25-35%; vanity and storage at 10-15%; faucets and accessories at 10-15%; and non-tile labor at 10-15%.
Our Plans and Bathrooms
Bathroom provisions in our designs:
C-101 (80m²):
- One full bathroom
- Efficient layout
- Essential fixtures
- €2,168 (with 15% discount)
- View C-101 →
C-102 (97m²):
- Master plus second bath
- More flexibility
- Better for families
- €2,375 (with 15% discount)
- View C-102 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget per bathroom?
For a quality bathroom in a new Bulgarian home, budget €4,000-8,000 per bathroom for mid-range finishes. Basic functional bathrooms start around €2,000; premium installations can exceed €15,000.
What’s the best tile for bathroom floors?
Porcelain with textured or matte finish for slip resistance. Minimum R10 slip rating for shower areas. Large format tiles (30×60cm or bigger) create a more spacious feel and have fewer grout lines.
Should I install a bathtub or just a shower?
Consider your lifestyle. Families with young children benefit from tubs. For resale value, one tub in the home is recommended. Showers are more space-efficient and accessible.
How important is bathroom ventilation?
Essential. Without proper ventilation, you’ll have mold, peeling paint, and damaged finishes. Install an appropriately sized extract fan, ideally with humidity sensor control.
Can I install heated floors in a bathroom?
Yes, and it’s highly recommended. Electric mat systems are cost-effective and add significant comfort. Plan for this during construction as it affects floor buildup height.
Create Your Perfect Bathrooms
Well-designed bathrooms add comfort and value to your home. Invest in quality fixtures, proper waterproofing, and good ventilation for spaces that serve you well for decades.
Your next steps:
- Browse house plans — see bathroom layouts
- Define your fixture preferences
- Set realistic per-bathroom budgets
- Contact Architect Miglena for bathroom design guidance
All plans include 15% discount—build your ideal Bulgarian bathrooms today.
