99Forum - Discussion Forums - Message Board Forum

Bathrooms are generally compact and efficient spaces, designed for specific activities.
In spite of their small size, bathroom construction is expensive because of the plumbing
fixtures and finish materials. Bathrooms are also inflexible because, unlike a living
room or bedroom, residents cannot rearrange "the furniture" (the fixtures) to suit their
needs and preferences.

The bathroom's minimum size should provide sufficient space to use, maintain, and clean
each fixture and additional room for door operation and general circulation. Bathrooms
should include storage space for equipment and supplies.Wheelchair users need larger
bathrooms to allow for maneuvering. Allowing space for knees and toes of a person in a
wheelchair below fixtures can partially meet this requirement.
Extra bathroom space is seldom wasted. Additional space accommodates functional and
decorative furnishings such as towel stands, drying racks, and laundry baskets. Larger
bathrooms are more comfortable for simultaneous use by a husband and a wife, for example,
or a parent and a child.

Hi

There are a number of general issues you should consider before you begin designing your new bathroom. They include:

* Layout. Think about the layout in your existing bathroom and decide which are the most serious problems you want to fix. If more than one person uses the bathroom at the same time, for example, is there adequate counter space, or do you need a second sink or a shower compartment for greater privacy?

Are towel racks and tissue holders located conveniently? Is there enough storage space for everyone who uses the bathroom? Do vanity doors or drawers interfere with opening and closing the bathroom door?

* Mechanical systems. From the plumber's point of view, the best bathroom layout is one that has all the rough plumbing–water supply and drain-waste-vent pipes–all in one wall. A "wet wall," as it is called, not only saves materials, but makes it a lot easier to make repairs if needed.

Thanks