What's the best vanity and layout for a narrow 5x7 bathroom renovation in a Riverview split-entry?

For a narrow 5×7 bathroom, a 36-inch single vanity with an offset sink is your best friend — it gives you counter space on one side while keeping the visual footprint compact. In a split-entry home (very common in Riverview, built heavily through the 1980s and 90s), you're likely working with a standard layout that can be optimized significantly without moving any plumbing.

Layout Strategy for a 5×7

The classic layout for this footprint puts the toilet at the far end, tub/shower along one long wall, and vanity on the opposite short wall near the door. If that's what you have, you're in luck — it's the most functional arrangement and doesn't require permit-triggering plumbing relocation. Stick with it.

Where people go wrong in narrow bathrooms is choosing a vanity that's too deep. Standard vanities run 21 inches deep — look for 18-inch depth models instead. That 3-inch difference sounds minor but it opens up the walkway noticeably, especially if your toilet is directly across. The NBC 2020 (now in effect for NB as of May 1, 2025) requires a minimum 600mm (roughly 24 inches) clear floor space in front of fixtures — a shallower vanity helps you meet that comfortably.

For style, a floating (wall-mount) vanity is the single biggest visual upgrade you can make in a small bathroom. Exposing the floor underneath makes the room read larger, and it makes mopping easier. You'll need to confirm your wall framing can support it — in 1980s Riverview split-entries, the exterior walls are typically 2×4 framing, and interior bathroom walls vary. A contractor can add blocking during the reno if needed.

Budget-wise, expect to spend:

• Basic freestanding vanity (36"): $400–$800 at local suppliers or big box


• Mid-range floating vanity with soft-close drawers: $900–$1,800


• High-end custom or semi-custom: $2,500–$5,000+


• Full bathroom renovation in this footprint (vanity, toilet, tub surround, flooring, paint): typically $12,000–$22,000 in the Riverview/Moncton market depending on finishes and whether plumbing moves

A few other layout wins specific to this size:

• Replace a swing door with a pocket door or barn door — reclaims 6–8 square feet of usable floor space
• Use a 60-inch tub/shower combo rather than a separate shower if you're keeping the tub (standard fits perfectly in a 5-foot width)
• Large-format floor tile (12×24) laid lengthwise creates an illusion of depth — avoid small mosaic tile on the floor, it visually chops the space

If you're moving the vanity drain or adding a new rough-in, that work requires a licensed plumber and a plumbing permit through NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS) at 1-888-659-3222. For a Riverview project, your building permit (if the scope triggers one — typically yes for full gut renos) comes from the Town of Riverview Development Services at townofriverview.ca.

For finding a licensed contractor who knows these split-entry layouts well, browse the New Brunswick Construction Network directory — plenty of Riverview and Greater Moncton renovators listed there who've tackled this exact project type dozens of times.