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Bathroom Buying Guide |
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Planning & Designing Your New Bath
Today's bath is a place where you can relax after a long day, mend your wounds, put on your face to face the day, and take care of a multitude of grooming and hygiene needs. Considering how much time you spend in this room, it's important to give careful thought to exactly what will suit your needs.
Bathrooms must be safe, convenient and adaptable to the changing lifestyles and needs of today's families, which is why successful bath design involves function and comfort as well as aesthetics and personal style.
Many homeowners find that planning a new home or improving even a single room can be a bit daunting.
The process can sometimes seem arduous, but it is manageable and well worth itif you've done your homework.
Preparation is the key.
When it comes to creating the bath of your dreams, you're in control. It's your decision to work with an interior designer, hire a contractor, tackle some of the project yourself, or all of the above.
A master bath suite, which is often a private retreat from family and job responsibilities, should have sufficient space to accommodate an oversized chair for reading or a catnap to increase the level of relaxation and luxury for the user.
A powder room, guest bath or half bath, as it is sometimes called, typically requires less space than a full bath. However, comfort and adequate storage are still important and should not be overlooked.
Children's baths pose unique concerns. They require more safety features and lower heights, but also adaptability as children grow.
If you have elderly relatives living with you or family members with disabilities, consider special functional or safety needs they may have.
Do users have a preference for showering vs. bathing? If remodeling, do present fixtures accommodate these preferences?
Is the bathroom conveniently located and accessible for all users?
Is the layout user-friendly?
Does it make the most of the existing space or is the layout awkward?
Is your existing bath simply too small?
Could you annex an adjacent closet or hallway to expand the space?
Does it offer enough privacy?
Is it hard to clean?
Does it need a new vanity?
Do individuals who use the space have the same or different tastes?
Is there a preference for traditional, casual or modern style?
What about a color scheme or favorite colors?
What style or decor goes best with the rest of your home?
Is there adequate storage space and secure storage for prescription drugs and cleaning supplies if there are children in your home?
Is there an exhaust fan or adequate ventilation?
Accumulated moisture results in mildew on tile, loose wallpaper and blistering paint.
Who wants to put up steamy mirrors?
Is the lighting sufficient for specific grooming tasks as well as overall ambience and safety?
Do you have enough towel rack space (two feet minimum) for each person using the bathroom?
Will the bath be used for other purposes, such as a home gym? Is there sufficient space to accommodate the necessary equipment?
Once you have determined your needs and identified any existing problems or issues you will want to correct with a new bath, start a "wish list" binder or project scrapbook. A great source of inspiration when it comes to designing your new bath, a project binder or scrapbook will also help keep you organized and focused.
Items to include:
Design idea and trend articles clipped from magazines
Information from consumer publications that rates products and building materials
Pictures of attractive bathrooms from magazines or product literature
Creative ideas for storing towels, toiletries, and decorative items to personalize your new bath
Product literature categorized by fixtures and faucets, cabinets and countertops, flooring, lighting and window treatments
Paint samples and fabric swatches
Business cards, newspaper ads, and the names and addresses of interior designers, builders, and retail suppliers
A pad of paper for jotting down ideas, layout sketches, likes and dislikes
Creating a project binder - and visiting showrooms for further inspiration - will help you to better visualize what you want your new bathroom to look like. Ultimately, this will save a lot of time and guesswork as you move forward with your project.
The Bottom Line - Your Project Budget
On a per-square-foot basis, the bathroom is the most expensive room in the house to remodel. What you'll pay depends on many factors, but the area you live in and the products you include are the two biggest variables. If you are remodeling, the most expensive aspects of your project will be cabinet installation and relocating major fixtures within the space.
When developing your project budget, consider how long you intend to stay in your new or present home.
If you use it every day and intend to stay in your home for a number of years, a new or remodeled bath is well worth the investment.
If you plan to sell your home in the next few years, check with a local real estate agent to find out how many baths and what kinds of amenities home buyers expect in your area.
As with any project, you'll need to make some tradeoffs. Determining your budget can help you prioritize your needs so that you can begin to think about less expensive alternatives, if necessary, and get the most for your money.
Space Planning
The first step to a beautiful, functional bathroom begins by carefully measuring the overall dimensions of your space and marking them on a scale drawing. This will give your a clear idea of exactly what you have to work with.
It's important to measure accurately because the size and placement of plumbing fixtures and cabinets depend on it. Be sure to include more than just the overall dimensions of the room.
Also indicate the position of windows, doorway placement and dimensions, radiators, water pipes (pipes and wires may not be exactly where you thought) and other permanent features like built-in cabinets and storage. Mark the direction swing of all doors and the location of all switches, electrical outlets, and light fixtures.
If you plan to place a fixture below a window sill, be sure to measure the height of the sill from the floor.
Measuring works best with two people. Keep in mind the old adage "Measure twice, cut once." It may save you a lot of time and grief later.
It's time to draw in counters, fixtures or other attached details, providing length and width measurements for each. While the minimum size for a bathroom with a bathtub, toilet and lavatory is 5' x 7' keep in mind the addition of one more foot (5'x8') will allow a much wider selection of bathtubs and lavatories. A powder room usually has only two fixtures, toilet and lavatory and can be created with only 54" x 48" of space.
Standardized bathroom planning guidelines are based on the space required for an individual to safely and comfortably function in a bathroom.
Fixture Specification and Placement
Plumbing fixtures are what make bathroom planning and design different from other rooms in your home. Where do you start? With so many choices, selecting the right fixtures and faucets for your home can be a bit overwhelming.
The placement of plumbing fixtures is an art unto itself. Fixtures must be placed efficiently with respect to each other and with enough space around them to make them convenient to use. By plumbing code, each fixture requires a minimum distance from a wall or another fixture. When planning your bath, consider the rough-in specifications of your plumbing fixtures and the spaces in which theyıll function. Measure to the centerline of all fixtures, keeping desirable fixture clearances in mind as you plan.
Bathroom Planning Guidelines
Space planning for compliance with plumbing codes is critical. Begin by checking out the local requirements. Consider the following planning guidelines and fixture clearances when designing or remodeling your bath. They will help to create a space that is safe and universally accessible for all users.
Clear floor space at the door to your bathroom should be at least 32" wide.
Minimum clear floor space in front of a lavatory should measure 30" x 48".
A 48" x 48" floor space from the front edge of the toilet to any wall or fixture opposite it is a desirable minimum.
Allow a minimum of 16" of clear floor space on either side of the centerline of the toilet to comfortably accommodate the user's elbows and shoulders.
These minimums also apply to a bidet and its placement relative to a toilet.
Leave enough space around the edge of a bathtub or whirlpool for drying off or for bathing small children. A minimum of 30" x 60" is desirable.
When you want to replace a toilet utilizing the existing drain location, it is important to measure the distance from the wall to the center of the drain opening. The standard measurement is 12". Yours may be 10" or 14", which means you'll need to select a particular toilet to accommodate it.
Ideally, the toilet should not be visible from the door of the bathroom.
For added privacy you may want to install a toilet in a separate compartmentalized area. The desirable clearance for this type of installation requires a space measuring 36" x 66".
Providing a 6" wide platform at the same level as the bathtub makes getting in and out easier for those with limited mobility.
Minimum clearance from the centerline of a lavatory to any side wall is 15".
For side-by-side lavatories, you'll need to allow a 30" minimum clearance (centerline to centerline) between bowls.
For adults of average height, a primary vanity should be 34" to 42" high. If you are including more than one vanity, the second one may be 30" to 34" high to fit a second user.
If space permits, a separate shower is always a better choice. Removing the shower from the bath often offers more space for showering and opens more design options in bath placement and installation.
Showers should include a bench or seat that is 17" to 19" above the floor and a minimum of 15" deep.
For safety reasons, a pivot shower door should open into the bathroom. This way, if someone falls, you can get in to provide assistance.
A shower should be large enough to let you raise your arms to wash your hair or bend to pick up the soap. A good size for a one-person shower is 36" x 42".
Storage for toiletries and grooming supplies should be within 15" to 48" of the floor.
Storage areas should be within reach of the user but should not interfere with the use of plumbing fixtures.
Every functional area in the bath should be well lit.
Lighting fixtures should not be placed within reach of a person seated or standing in the bathtub or shower area.
A vanity should have overhead and side lighting. Side lighting should be at eye level.
The height of the showerhead should be related to the height of the user.
Place towel bars and robe hooks within arm's reach of the bathtub.
Allow two feet of towel rack space for each person who will be using the bathroom
Accessibility & Universal Design
Universal design is space planning that makes independent living a reality for all. Although you may not currently need special features like a roll-in shower or a faucet that's easy to operate even if you have arthritis, you or someone in your home might at some time in the future. Why not plan for it now?
Planning a universally designed bath requires special consideration for every aspect of the space. To insure accessibility for all users no matter their age or ability:
Consider adaptations that can make bathrooms easier to use for individuals with limited mobility, including raised toilet seats, grab bars in the bath and shower, a shower with an integral bench.
If you have seniors or family members with disabilities, barrier-free bathtubs, roll-in showers with fold-down seats, and wall-hung lavatories take on added importance.
A shower with no sill or other obstruction to step over allows access to a wheelchair user.
Place light switches and ventilation controls at a height that children or a person in a wheelchair can reach.
Towel bars and robe hooks should be within arm's reach of the bathtub or shower.
A handheld personal shower in the bath is convenient for washing hair while seated.
A wall-hung lavatory allows access for a person in a wheelchair.
Lever or wristblade handle faucets are easy to operate, even for children and individuals with physical limitations.
Showers should be fitted with pressure-balancing valves. Because of the added level of safety pressure-balancing valves provide, they are now required in most new home construction.
Slip-resistant floor coverings and bath and shower basins mean added safety.
Steps should not be planned around the bath or shower area.
A drop-in bath should be installed at a height that is comfortable and safe to enter and exit.
A wheelchair-height transfer seat at the head of the bathtub promotes easy access and provides a bathing option for individuals who may not have the strength to lower themselves into the bathtub.
Replace toggle switches with large rocker plates.
For individuals with limited eyesight, mount the room light switch on the outside of the entrance door and use a glowing switch.
Use shallow, open shelving rather than deep, enclosed cabinets.
Use lever or C-shaped handles as opposed to small knobs on vanities and storage drawers to allow for easier opening.
To provide comfort and ease of use for individuals of vary heights, the height of the counter can be positioned between 25.5" and 42" above the floor.
Safety
The bath is often a room full of sharp corners and hard surfaces that are slippery when wet. While it can present potential hazards, particularly for the very young and the very old, a practical approach to bath design can minimize many of the risks.
Install grab bars around the bath and shower and near the toilet. If you are installing them yourself, be sure they are attached to the studs, not just wall-mounted like towel bars.
Choose faucets with anti-scald devices that prevent burns by maintaining a consistent water temperature in showers and baths.
Use non-slip flooring or non-skid tile. Avoid high-gloss floor surfaces and scatter rugs.
Place a towel bar or hook within easy reach - no more than 12" - of the bath or shower.
Put outlets for small personal appliances at shoulder height, which is generally safer and more convenient.
Install a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Required by code in many areas, it will cut off power to an overloaded or short circuit, reducing the risk of electrocution.
Avoid sunken baths. They're too easy for children to fall into.
Install adequate lighting in baths and showers. Be sure lighting fixtures are designed for use in wet places.
Be sure your can lock the cabinet where you keep medicines and cleaning supplies.
Shower doors should open out, not in. This way, if someone falls, you can get in to provide assistance.
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