Once the typical panel houses that began to be built from the beginning of the 60's,th of the last century, were considered a boon, which was intended to solve the existing at that time serious problems with the number of residential houses for the population. However, now the attitude towards them has changed. In addition to the fact that the apartments in them were very modest in size, such houses eventually began to deteriorate quickly and they revealed many problems caused by the desire of the Soviet leadership to save money.
Of course, own apartment in a panel house was much more prestigious than a room in a communal apartment. However, now the children and grandchildren of those who initially received apartments in such houses, are puzzled over how to make them more suitable for comfortable living. In this article we will talk about how to equip a bathroom in a panel house and what tricks can be resorted to in the process of arrangement.
Features
The main feature of the bathroom in a panel apartment is a small area. If the problem of a small area of living rooms and kitchen can be solved by turning an apartment into a studio, then increasing the size of the bathroom can only be due to the combination of a bathroom and a toilet.
Association of WC
In occasion of, whether it is necessary to do in apartment a combined bathroom or not, there are numerous disputes.
Cons: - If there are several people living in the family together, it's not so convenient to use a combined bathroom, because if someone wants to soak in a warm bath with fragrant foam, soon there will probably be someone who urgently needsyou need to use the restroom. In addition, if you use a shared bathroom in the morning, a bathroom will inevitably create a queue.
- It is believed that any dismantling of walls in the house, even if they are non-load bearing, reduces its stability and leads to a faster deterioration of the building. In addition, this redevelopment will need to be legalized. Therefore, you will need to get permission to demolish the wall, collecting all the necessary papers beforehand.
- The process of demolition of the partition, although it occurs quickly enough, is a troublesome business. You will create a lot of noise, to which disgruntled neighbors can escape. In addition, if the repair is done only in the bathroom, you will have to work hard to gently take out all the extra construction debris, without diluting the dirt in the other rooms.
Pros
However, there are also many arguments in favor of such a solution:
- By combining two rooms, you will end up with more useful space, which makes it easier for you to move around freely.
- You can more carefully plan the space of the bathroom, resorting to such a technique as zoning. This will help you use different building materials in different areas, install temporary partitions, and play with lighting.
- You will be easier to install plumbing in the bathroom. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to install in the bathroom such large-sized appliances as a washing machine, or, if you want, you can put an extra rack for various cosmetic and detergents.
In summary, it can be said that the combination of a bathroom and a bathroom will be justified only if you live one / one or the maximum of two.
If the area of your bathroom allows you to install in it at least a small corner sink, and in the bathroom after installing the necessary plumbing and directly the bathroom or shower you have a place to install a washing machine, then you do not need to break the wall.
Choice of plumbing and accessories
Plumbing must match the size of your bathroom.
Massive bath with Jacuzzi in a small bathroom will look inappropriate and will not allow you to install other necessary appliances and interior items.
In small bathrooms, preference is given to small-sized plumbing. Corner sinks, showers and toilets will allow you to leave more space in the center of the room.
Choosing between a bathroom and a shower, it is better to give preference to the latter. Modern shower cabins are much more multifunctional than bathtubs. In them you can not only use different types of jets, but also get the opportunity to listen to the radio or even answer phone calls. In many shower cabins you can not only stand, but also sit during the adoption of water procedures. If the bathroom is used by older people, in addition in the booth you can put a small chair on which it will be convenient to sit. In this case, an elderly person does not have to step over the high sides of a standard bath.
Placing a washing machine
Almost every family now uses a washing machine.
To place such a large-sized technique in a small bathroom is difficult, but possible:
- You can place a washing machine under the sink. For this you will need to install a hanging sink.
- Set the washing one side to the wall, and from the other side it has to make a small partition. The resulting niche in the result can be occupied by shelves or a locker for clothes.
- Place a washing machine next to the bathtub or shower. With this arrangement, the waste water from the washing machine can be discharged not only directly into the sewage system, but also directly into the bath or into the booth. This option is suitable for those who use washing machines with a vertical load.
Ceiling Design
The painted or whitewashed ceiling in the bathroom is accustomed to longing. Therefore, it is better to abandon these options immediately. Prefer hinged or suspended ceilings.
Their advantages:
- They look beautiful;
- There is a wide choice of color and textural solutions;
- They are more durable and easy to care for;
- It is convenient to mount spot lights in them - in small bathrooms it is nowhere more relevant;
- There is an opportunity to make a mirror ceiling, which will visually increase the room.
Also remember one rule - the ceiling should always be a few shades lighter than the walls in the bathroom. Otherwise, he can visually pressure and create a depressing mood.
Decoration and color scheme of the walls
The classic option of wall finishing in the bathroom is tiling. In small bathrooms it is really one of the most optimal options. However, we advise you not to choose one of the same type of tile, but use a tile of different shades or with a different pattern from one collection, combined with each other. In addition, it is interesting to look at tiles, matched in contrast or imitating a mosaic.
The effect of a visual increase in space due to reflective surfaces also applies to wall tiles.
If you do not want to bother with the tiles for a long time, you can use PVC panels for the bathroom as the finishing material of the walls. The choice of different panel colors in building stores is also quite large, but certainly much more modest than the choice of ceramic tiles.
In terms of color solutions of walls it is better to adhere to reserved, light colors. Too bright or too dark colors will visually hide the already limited space of the room.
Equipping the floor
The floor tiles are also suitable for the floor.
Floor tiles for the bathroom should be as slippery as possible.
As the water will often get on the floor, you risk slipping at one point and getting some kind of injury. That is why many now began to use for the floor in addition wooden panels made of solid wood that are pleasant to stand with bare feet after taking a shower and do not have to be afraid that you will slip.
Another suitable material for the floor in the bathroom is the self-leveling floors. Although this option is not cheap, a small area of the bathroom allows you not to save too much on building materials. To keep your feet always warm and you do not catch a cold in the cold winter, it is recommended to install a system of warm floors in the bathroom.
Lighting and illumination
As we already mentioned, in a small bathroom it is better to use built-in spotlights. However, there should be as many of them as possible. In the panel houses of windows in the bathrooms almost never happens. Therefore, we have to carefully think over the artificial lighting of the room.
It is good, when it is possible to adjust the intensity of light with a special dimmer.
If you do not have the option to install such a switch, you can screw the lamps with warm and cold light into the lamps switched on by different switches. The first will accelerate your awakening in the mornings, the second will help to relax before a dream.
Advice on interior decoration
The bathroom in the panel house can be made very cozy and comfortable room.
For this, think over the following points:
- Use mirrors. The more you have mirrors in the bathroom, the more the room will seem. You can hang two mirrors opposite each other on opposite walls or try to make one of the walls entirely mirror. So you will achieve very interesting effects. In addition, mirrors perfectly reflect light, which means that in your bathroom it will never be too dark.
- Make niches. In the walls you can make small indentations in which you can hide decor elements, additional lamps, or even use them as additional shelves.
- Hang the curtains for the bathroom instead of glass doors - so you will save a little space, but you can distinguish it.
- Play with texture and with color. As we already mentioned, in bathroom design it is better to give preference to light, natural shades. At the same time, you can add a couple of bright, large strokes, for example, by making a few asymmetrical contrast strips on the walls, so that the view has something to catch on.
- Use every meter of free space. For example, most people leave completely unoccupied space above the doorway, while it can be filled with small shelves or decorative elements.
- Replace all old, bulky sanitary ware with a more modern and compact one. In particular, pay attention to hanging models of toilets and sinks.
- Use the sliding door instead of the usual one. These doors take up less space and, if necessary, they can be slightly pushed out of the bathroom into the adjacent room, so that the bathroom space is not lost due to the doorway at all.
