How to Create a Bathroom Layout That Works for You
When it comes to designing your bathroom, there’s a lot more to it than what meets the eye.
Your bathroom is one of the places in your house where you need to pay attention to its functionality as much as the aesthetic value. This is because for many people, a bathroom is more than just its functional value, i.e. a space to bathe. People find it to be the perfect place to relax, zone out and have a moment of utter privacy as well.
Keeping that in mind, even the small details matter. For instance, the size of your bathtub can make all the difference in the overall functionality and perception of the bathroom. How? A small bathtub in a big bathroom and a big bathtub in a small bathroom renders both these spaces less functional in more ways than one. Similarly, there are many details and pitfalls to sidestep while creating a bathroom layout that works for you. While remodeling your bathroom, it is important to remember that the layout that you design/choose is the one that meets your family’s requirements. Here are some basic principles that will help you create a bathroom layout that meets your needs perfectly.
Different Zones of a Bathroom
There are some elements that need to be incorporated in your bathroom. These elements decide the layout and essentially dictate what goes where in your bathroom. Unlike other areas in your house where you have free reign on deciding what goes where, your options are limited in the bathroom because of plumbing requirements.
To begin creating a bathroom layout, you need to consider the space as a combination of different zones. Each zone has a dedicated function and appeal that is required to create an efficient bathroom space. There are three basic ‘zones’ in an average bathroom:
Zones:
- Vanity
The Vanity zone consists of many important elements of your bathroom. These include a countertop, cabinets, sink, and a mirror. While planning this zone, you have to consider the functional aspect and appeal value. Ultimately, your vanity zone is dependent on the number of people using the bathroom. For instance, if you have two people using the bathroom, you may need to decide between a single sink or ‘his and her’ sink design. The same formula can be applied for the cabinets as well.
2. Shower
The Shower zone is where you have the most flexibility in terms of design. The modern homeowner has quite a few options to choose from.
a. Tub
Bathtubs are a classic choice when it comes to the right bathing option. Many people prefer to have a bathtub over a shower. However, it comes with its limitations; one of which is space. Bathtubs consume a lot of space and if you own a home in a city, you’re all too familiar with the space crunch. In such cases, you can opt for the other alternative.
b. Shower
Showers are gaining popularity with the modern homeowner. Not only are they popular in small bathrooms, but they’re also increasingly becoming the default choice for people with a large bathroom space as well. Gone are the days of a dingy shower cabin, though. They’re now being replaced by more modern options such as ceiling showers, multifunctional spa showers, etc.
It’s important to have a defined shower zone in your bathroom to ensure cleanliness. It also clearly helps demarcate wet areas from the dry ones.
3. Toilet
Even though the toilet is the most important feature of your bathroom, it isn’t something that you want to show off. While creating an efficient bathroom layout, you need to keep it functional yet tucked away in the space. A good half-partition works best, or it can also be placed behind the entry door.
Things to Consider While Creating a Bathroom Layout
1. After you’ve understood the different zones, you need to have a clear idea about the things that you want in your bathroom and the things that you do not want. Since the bathroom is such a limited space, you have to ensure that you’re making the most of it.
For instance, many people unknowingly overestimate the area of their bathrooms and pack it with a lot of unnecessary items like oversized vanities that are too big for their own good. That’s why it is important to know how much space each element requires. For example, toilets need 30 inches of space, and the minimum for a shower is 30 x 30 inches. It’s best to stick to such guidelines to ensure that there is no problem with clearance while designing the layout.
2. One of the important aspects of your bathroom design is to make sure that it’s properly ventilated. In fact, a bathroom needs to be one of the most well-ventilated rooms in your house. There are many options that suit well in this case. You can choose from various wall-mounted fans or ceiling fans. The key here is to ensure that they’re connected to an outdoor duct.
3. Apart from these elements, you have to take the cost into consideration as well. Largely, you are restricted to the plumbing layout of the bathroom. If you want to rearrange these plumbing lines during the remodeling process, the costs will go up significantly. Hence, it is best to create a layout based on your current plumbing situation, unless you are willing to spend a significant amount of time and money.
4. The factors that you need to proactively consider are privacy, functionality, space, the design value, and resale value that it may provide in the future. Of course, the bathroom is your space, but if you stick with popular choices, it can be the key point that closes a sale in the future.
The Bottom-Line
While creating the perfect bathroom layout for yourself, you need to ensure that it is designed from a functionality-first perspective, and then focused on the ‘appeal value’ aspect. Your bathroom is an indisputable part of your home and by extension, your daily life. Hence, be sure that it meets your needs perfectly.
