BASIC BATHROOM LAYOUTS

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BASIC BATHROOM LAYOUTS


Written by smith
Sunday, 11 January 2009

BASIC BATHROOM LAYOUTS

What look do you like? Warm and traditional, high-tech, or colorfully whimsical? The styles may be different, but successful baths have a lot in common. When a bathroom looks great and functions well, you can be sure that hours of planning went into its realization. Behind those shiny new fixtures and tiles are codes and clearances, critical dimensions, and effective design principles.
Use this chapter as a workbook for basic planning. We help you evaluate your exist?ing bathroom first. Then we guide you through layout and design basics, and finish up by explaining how design and construction professionals can help you.
For inspiration, peruse the views of successful bathrooms in the next two chapters. You'll see the latest in tubs and tiles, sinks and skylights, lighting and laminates. Soon you'll be on your way to creating the bath-room of your dreams.

Basic Bathroom Layouts
Now the fun begins: it's time to start planning your new bathroom. While brain?storming, it helps to have some basic layout schemes in mind. The floor plans shown below are both practical and efficient. Keep in mind that these layouts can be combined, adapted, and expanded to meet your needs. For additional ideas, see the floor plans in Chapter 2, "Case Studies."
Powder room. This two-fixture room, also known as a guest bath or half-bath, contains a toilet and a sink and perhaps some limited storage space. Fixtures can be placed side by side or on opposite walls, depending on the shape of the room. Very small sinks are available for extra-tight spaces.
Because the guest bath is used sporadically and for short intervals, it's a good place to enjoy more decorative but perhaps less durable finishes such as copper or upholstery. Since space may be tight, the door should swing open against a wall, clear of any fixtures. A pocket door may be the ideal situation.
Consideration should be given to privacy. Prefer?ably, a guest bath should open off a hallway—not directly into a living, family, or dining room. Family bath. The family bath usually contains three fixtures—a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub or shower or combination tub/shower. The fixture arrangement varies, depending on the size and shape of the room. Family baths often have cluster, or corridor, layouts; these should be at least 5 by 7 feet.
"Compartmentalizing" or separating fixture areas enables several family members to use the bathroom at the same time. A common arrangement is to isolate the toilet and shower from the sink and grooming area. This configuration can work well when adding a new bathroom isn't feasible.
The family bath is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house. Therefore, you'll want to choose durable, easy-to-clean fixtures and finishes.
Children's bath. Ideally, this bathroom is located next to the children's bedrooms so that each child has direct access.
Consider a single bath with two doors, or shared bathing and toilet facilities and an individual sink and dressing area for each child. When several children are sharing one bath, color coding of drawers, towel hooks, and other storage areas can help minimize territorial battles.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 February 2009 )

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