How to Quickly Model a Full Bathroom in 3D Modeling Software

In today’s blog, we are going to explore how to quickly model a full bathroom using SketchUp, a free 3D modeling software.

Okay, so I've done a few blog in the past on SketchUp, covering basic things like creating your first model and modeling out an accurate wall. However, we haven't delved into full rooms yet or discussed how to place objects within rooms to ensure accurate readings.

Initial Planning

What I have here is a hand-drawn schematic of my house’s second-floor landing. It was just a big open rectangle where we decided to install a brand-new full bath. Before you start creating a 3D model, you need to have an idea of the type of fixtures you want and the space available.

Essentially, I took the entire landing, which is a 15-foot by 200-inch rectangle, and figured out how we could make a nice but moderately tight bathroom inside that space.

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Understanding the Space

Let's get right into it and start talking about the dimensions of specific appliances. When starting a 3D model, try to understand the outside space it’s fitting into so your model can be built within those constraints. In this case, we have 200 inches in one dimension and 15 feet in the other.

Choosing Fixtures

The first thing you want to do is pick out a tub. A pretty standard alcove tub is 60 by 30 inches or 60 by 32 inches. For this model, we’ll use a 60 by 30-inch tub.

Modeling the Bathroom

Since the placement of walls is flexible depending on the spacing of different appliances, I’m starting with a tub. I’m going to drop in a rectangle for its outside dimensions, which are 60 inches by 30 inches. Next, we’ll figure out how to fit the toilet and vanity within this bathroom.

Toilet Placement

Code requires 15 inches from the centerline of the toilet to any obstruction on the left or right. Additionally, the water closet needs to be 12 inches away from the back wall. So, we need to account for these dimensions to ensure the toilet fits within code requirements.

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Vanity Placement

The vanity also needs to follow the 15-inch obstruction rule. For this model, I’m using a 60-inch double vanity with an outside rectangle of 22 inches by 60 inches.

Building the Walls

To make this a full bathroom, I’m going to start placing walls. A standard wall is four and a half inches thick. I’ll make the walls dimensionally accurate, ensuring there’s room for all the appliances.

Creating 3D Elements

Once the fixtures are placed, it’s time to start pulling the 2D model into 3D. The toilet is modeled with a 30-inch height. The tub comes up 14.25 inches, and the vanity is 35.5 inches high.

Adding a Door

To finish, we’ll add a standard-size interior door, which is 32 inches by 80 inches. Centering the door on the sink helps to visualize the space better.

Final Touches

We’ll then add textures to make the model look more realistic. This includes wall colors, mirror textures, and floor tiles.

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Conclusion

I recommend saving your model at this point, or even saving a copy so you can play around with the details. This way, you have a shell of the basics to work with.

You don’t need any formal training, licenses, or special background to model an entire room of your house, including fixtures, with a little quick googling and some patience using this free online tool.

If there’s something specific you’d like to see in a future blog, let me know in the comments below. I’ll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Good luck with your models and thanks for reading!

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