skip to main content

Plumbing Design Dilemma Bathrooms

1/2 bath to 3/4 bath

4 years ago

I have a downstairs 1/2 bathroom that is 72 inches by 59 inches. As a half bath, it is very large, with a lot of unused space. We could definitely use a third shower, so I would like to turn this area into a 2/3 bath, but it would be quite small for that purpose. Expansion would be difficult, and we wouldn't gain much space. I'm trying to picture a way to make this possible.

The current layout is the toilet and pedestal sink are both on the far, 72 inch wall.

Featured Answer

greg_2015

4 years ago

Make the entire room a "wet room" and then you don't have to worry about enclosing part of it for the shower.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Nancy in Mich
4 years ago
I agree with Greg. You will have to get out the graph paper if you don't like that idea. Draw out the room with precise measurements of where the door and any windows are. Look for the smallest shower that you will consider, the smallest sink you can put up with, and a toilet. Be aware that the toilet must be centered in an imaginary box 30" side-to-side and that it must have 21" of clearance that is that same 30" wide in front of it. So the sink cannot go in that space. In some jurisdictions, that 30" box is a 36" wide box. I would make my toilet box on another piece of graph paper and the shower, too. See if you can arrange the room with a sink in it and room to move. I am going to say that 32" x 32" is the smallest allowed shower, but I do not want to swear on that. Look at prefab sowers and see the smallest ones, it will probably be right.

Then do a search on "wet rooms" and see if you like that better.
Related Discussions
small bathroom - adding a bath for the kids
Q
Comments (6)
I understand your need to bathe your little people but I would not change a thing in this bathroom. What I would do is find a bathing station that could be placed in the shower temporarily until your little folks are no longer little, By the way, bath tubs regardless of the lovely ads that show sumptuous bathing areas as components of enormous and well appointed master bedrooms, are passe. A great idea 150 years ago and for the most part the only reasonable and effective solution. Today, bathing in most homes happens very infrequently and adding a tub to your space would be the tail wagging the dog. Keep the nice space you have created and add a temporary bathing solution. Best of luck with your project! If you enjoy any of my commentary please click on my Pro-Page link on the left and then click "follow". Regards. M
...See More
Need thoughts for backyard.
Q
Comments (7)
I would clean up first. Especially the stuff growing in the paving. Then get gardening with pot plants and start experimenting with different plants and the positions. See what you like and if you can keep it alive! Our house has the sun setting over the back fence and we've done a few inexpensive things to reduce that issue (most expensive were outdoor blinds around the verandah) but for most of the year we just don't want to be out there. It is hard work to keep the plants going in summer, there is a lot of sand due to the difficulty in keeping lawn alive and it is just bloody hot. So, that's why I'm saying clean up, start gardening small and see how you go before committing to structures that might not address the real issues you have with the yard. Just my 2 cents! :)
...See More
The Ultimate Investment - Before and After
Q
Comments (0)
We began this renovation process, first looking at a range of photos of the bones of the home with our client and about her expectations and "Ultimate Investment Goals" for her project (family home or rental, long occupancy or flicking property, ideal uses, pets bedrooms required etc). We then looked at the structure of the existing home and its potential. With a few tweaks to the layout, we could gain 30sqm and by pushing the exterior wall out at the back and side on the ground floor we could gain another 40 sqm by taking a 3 bed 1 bath single car garage to a 4 bed 3 bath, two lounges and study with double garage. There where some aesthetics that benefited also - the house was brick base with nobly brown brick. Our extension removed most of this and the remainder we rendered, the upper floor cladding was leaking and had a heavy concrete tile over it by changing to weatherboard and tin (longrun) roof the loading's on the existing foundation where similar so no existing foundation needed upgrading. To give it a modern spin we used a block for the fire boundary wall and used stack bond pattern to front and back. Our client Debbie works with raw food as her job, making gluten-free vegan food, so her kitchen space was very important. With the kitchen landing close to an internal corner we decided to make it wider than normal along the back wall hiding a step in the exterior wall and helping connect the two living rooms with a Stainless bench on the island this helped to break up space and provide a central gathering point for entertaining. Finally, we upgraded all the wiring and plumbing and gave it a good paint and carpet throughout. We conducted weekly meetings throughout the entire process of the renovation, not only to discuss options and check we where on the right path with the design but to enable a spread out approach to the loads of decisions that go into a build/renovation. Check out the before and after images below. Along with a video of the final product. Before: After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CvHS6nNxzk&feature=youtu.be Check out the entire project here!
...See More
Advise on redesigning house
Q
Comments (0)
I have been going round in circles trying to plan a renovation so would greatly appreciate some advice... Current floor plan: Current layout (contents are sketched and not to scale sorry) Desired outcomes: A more defined 'entrance' area (some people have commented they like it as it is, with the front door opening right into the house, but I would prefer a specific entrance space - be interested in peoples opinions on this) A more spacious main bathroom, with separate shower and bath A space for a home office (ideally with room for two, but that's not essential) An en-suite for third bedroom (ideally toilet, basin and shower; but might not be able to fit shower) EDIT: we really want a nice master bedroom and a nice guest room, hence the desire to add an en-suite to bedroom 3. Even though it is smaller, we have toyed with making Bedroom 3 the master as it's away from the street so is quieter and more private, plus it's not an ideal location for guests being near the laundry and kitchen. And then bedroom 1 would be the guest room. This is where I got to before I decided I needed advice! EDIT: I have updated this floor plan and included some annotations Few other notes: What are the thoughts on Bedroom 1's en-suite being off the wardrobe? Personally, I'm not a fan of it so originally planned to move the en-suite door to be off the bedroom. But this does mean there's three doors on the one wall (middle one into WIR wouldn't need a door - could just leave as an opening like it is now) The door into bedroom 1 used to open into the little passage way, but we have moved this to open into the room - see images below of bedroom 1: Bedroom 1s original layout New door into bedroom 1 (original door used to open in the passage which reduced access width by about 100mm) Potential en-suite door location Front of bedroom, for context (excuse the sander - was the only picture I could find!)
...See More
PRO
Brass Bone Studio
4 years ago
Nancy's process sounds like a great first step. Try and sketch out the room, keep 30" for the toilet (15" on center from either side) and see how you can 'arrange' everything to your liking.

Also, not sure what area you are in, but I would suggest scheduling a consultation with an interior designer to see what they think and what creative layout ideas they might come up with.

Good luck!
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You don't really have room. A toilet ALONE needs 30 inches ( 15" to any obstruction ) width to meet code. A shower at the same size is a broom closet. ....and leaves 12 inches for a tea cup to wash your hands. Sorry. Not worth the rip up. It will be a bad full bath. The most common small full bath is 5 " x 8" for a reason. All that will happen is you will ruin a powder room. Wall hung teacup size sink, pocket door undoubtedly.

Hard to say without existing conditions. suck as window ,,,,,,,,,door.
arcy_gw
4 years ago
That's what we did. The shower curtain hangs from a track on the ceiling just to keep heat and water contained a tish.
The trick to saving physical space is eliminate any hard walls in the middle of the box.
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
With glass a shower and even a curb.....is better than "tish" : ) Hard to have everything at that size.
Nancy in Mich
4 years ago
Arcy_gw, what size is your room? Does the water stay pretty much in the shower area? We used to go to a conference every year in a hotel with wet rooms and the floor stayed wet. If you had to use the bathroom for anything after your shower, you had to either don your shoes or leave socks off until time to go out the door.
PRO
JAN MOYER
4 years ago
You DON'T want a shower curtain. You really don't.
shivece
4 years ago
We used a 3/4 corner tub in the guest bathroom in our old house. It was quite comfortable for both showering and sitting in the tub. It took up a surprisingly small amount of space.

Sponsored