Bathroom is one of the most inviting rooms in your home. Imaging how relaxing your can be in a hot bath, or enjoying an invigorating shower after a long day work. Therefore it is worthy to take some careful thought in arranging bathroom fittings to make your bathroom a combination of warmth and luxury with the practical and easy-to-clean in layout.
The way bathroom fittings are positioned can help to make your bathroom practical and pleasant to use. Sufficient floor space around fittings is important if the bathroom is to work efficiently. There should be enough space around each fitting for it to be used comfortably.
The bath
The usual site for the bath is with one side and one or both ends hard up against the wall that gives a neat and easy cleaning layout. If space and plumbing permit, it is possible to achieve a more interesting layout by centering the bath along a wall or in the middle of the room.
If the bath is positioned with the side centered in the middle of a long wall, you can build a plumbing partition duct along the tap end and site the washbasin or WC on the other side of it. The plumbing duct wall should end at about waist height. The space above can be left open or can be filled with shelving or a display of plants. The advantage of doing this is that the bath is screened from the rest of the room, so more than one person can use the facilities at a time.
Another idea is to build a floor-to-ceiling tiled partition at each end of the bath so that it is enclosed in an alcove. Put the WC at one end and a shower cubicle at the other end.
Always keep enough space for move about near the bathtub. Allow a minimum space of 70 cm beside the bath for user to climb in and out and to dry themselves.
If your bathroom has a separate shower cubicle, make sure the entrance is not obstructed and that there is enough space for the door to open fully. If space is limited, choose a cubicle with a sliding door. Again allow 70cm of standing space in front of the shower.
The washbasin
If there is space, install 2 washbasins to ease the strain in the bathroom at peak times. If the WC is in the bathroom, site the basin close by it. Make sure that there is a towel rail close to the basin and wall space for a toothbrush holder and soap dish. Space around the basin is important, allow 70cm wide and 110cm in front of it. Don’t set deep shelves or cupboard over the basin where someone could bump their heads.
Ideally, the WC and bidet can be separate from the bathroom, but it may not be possible for small homes. You may have little choice on position as it depends on the location of the main soil stack, but if possible, install the WC close to the window or ventilation. The bidet should be beside the WC. Leave a space of 70 cm wide and 110cm front space for comfortable use.
Tips for bathrooms for children
- A step up to the bath makes climbing in and out easier.
- Children have habit of locking themselves in bathrooms and toilets; fit a lock that can be opened with a screwdriver from the outside.
- A plastic box on wheels makes a good home for bath time toys.
- Keep your medicine cupboard locked.
