Bathroom Design Section
Bathroom Floor Plans
A lot of people think about bathroom floor plans the same way as the bedroom plans.
Unfortunately, the floor plans for bathrooms are limited by plumbing and wiring.
In the lunchroom or bedroom it does not really matter where you put your TV and the furniture.
You can always use extension cords to place your fancy audio or video around the room.
However, you cannot extend the gas pipe or the water plumbing to freely reallocate your fixtures in the bathroom.
Thus, the bathroom floor plans will always work around the shower, bath and bathroom sink.
For older types of bathroom, the incorporated toilet will further add to the planning constraints.
The Role of Space in Bathroom Floor Plans
Remember, you need enough space for all family members to safely use the bathroom. Generally, this means that normal walking should be unobstructed. A lot of home owners make an excessive provision for bathroom cabinets and cupboards. This often leads to a clutter and compromises the safety. If you really need that much furniture then try to include wall mounted cabinets and cupboards in your bathroom floor plans. These should be installed above an average shoulder height.
Position of the Shower in Bathroom Floor Plans
The position of the bathroom shower is governed by the plumbing and the access to the vent. At the minimum you should dedicate 20% of the bathroom space for the shower. We use showers most often and it is natural that the substantial space is allocated for the facility. Although, baths and spas offer luxury these units are used occasionally. There is very little you can do around showers. In fact, the bathroom floor plans should keep the area clear of any obstructions.
Position of the Bath in Bathroom Floor Plans
As with the shower, the bath is a permanent fixture which allows very little bathroom design scope. However, there are different types of baths on the market which can shape the space to your needs. For example, corner and semi oval baths provide solutions to bathrooms which are narrow or small. If the bathroom is too small then you should completely remove the bath from the bathroom floor plans. At the end, it is the shower which will serve your washing needs most often.
Position of the Basin in Bathroom Floor Plans
The basin is a central point where the grooming action occurs. Often, basins are part of bathroom vanity units which also incorporate bathroom mirrors. For this reason, basin should be located on the left or right side of the main bathroom window. This gives a lot of light but with the minimum reflection.
Bathroom Floor Plans for Disabled Users
If you include people with disability in your bathroom floor plans then you need:
- Bathroom floor plans with lots of space
- Bathroom floor plans with uncomplicated passages
- Bathroom floor plans with plenty of grab-bars
The minimalistic approach is correct in this situation. Avoid shower doors and high steps. A simple shower divider and the easy access to grab-bars is all you need for the successful disabled bathroom design here.