So many bathrooms, so little space

Barcelona real estate Blog

Tuesday, 22 March 2011 10:09

Designing a house is a big challenge. There are so many pieces to consider, a million little parts that have to each be just right if the final product is going to come together. But as any worthwhile architect knows, a house is greater than the sum of its parts.

In every house, the basic components—kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms—are the same, but nobody wants to live in a house: people want to live in a home. This crucial distinction is made only through conscientious architecture that allows a house to make a personal statement for its owner and thus become a home. In most cases this paradigm is applied to the kitchen, bedrooms and other living spaces, but the bathroom is often sadly neglected. This could be due to a lack of knowledge on the part of homebuilders of the great range of bathroom designs available. As you consider the architecture of your bathroom, keep these designs in mind; they may be useful templates upon which to design your ideal bathroom.

• Keep it Simple: For small spaces, keep a simple design. A fully equipped, efficient bathroom (with tub, toilet and a small bathroom vanity) can be fit into 40 square feet. Although this may be too cozy for a master bathroom, it works well for one to be used by guests.
• Wide Open Spaces: If you have 100 square feet available, you have an opportunity to really get creative with your bathroom design. This amount of space can accommodate a tub and a shower, as well as cabinets and a one-sink or even (if you really want to indulge) a two-sink bathroom vanity. For a master bathroom, this design will make the bathroom a place to luxuriate.
• Small and Sweet: For a small hallway bathroom, your design options are more limited, but remember these bathrooms are likely to be used primarily by guests and therefore could be elegant and understated without losing any of the appeal. Small bathrooms are ideal to show off handsome, compact, bathroom vanities and a simple toilet. Interest here can be generated with a creative wall color or piece of art, rather than with an abundance of fancy furnishings.
• Jack-and-Jill: If a bathroom is going to be situated between two bedrooms, consider making it accessible from both. A dual-entry bathroom is a perfect arrangement for the kids, but remember that even if they are comfortable sharing a bathroom, they need their own space, too. Use a dual-sink vanity to give each child his or her own personal space.

Michael Salcido writes for Blog.PremiereVanities.com. He covers a range of topics centered around bathroom interior design and home improvement with a focus on the bathroom.