Starting to repair the bathroom, many people are thinking about whether to combine the bathroom andrestroom. Often the reason for this is the struggle for square meters, which is so lacking. Recently, designers are trying to make a bet on saving space in the apartment. For this purpose, the doors, partitions are removed, unnecessary wide corridors, so popular earlier, are reduced to anyone. The choice is not straightforward, so first you need to weigh all the pros and cons and correctly plan the design of the combined bathroom.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining the toilet with a bath
Very often in the apartments combine a bathroom and a toilet, because such a combination has many advantages:
- Multifunctionality. In the united bathroom it is possible to arrange more accessories and equipment( for example, a table-top or a washing machine).
- Expanding the space. The space increases due to the lack of a wall.
- Save on finishing. Since we remove one wall, it is no longer necessary to deal with its decoration, as well as the installation of a second door.
But such a combination has many disadvantages:
- Lack of possibility to use a bath and a toilet at the same time. This problem is faced by large families, when one member of the family takes a bath, and another needs a toilet.
- Possible difficulties with obtaining a permit, as well as documenting the fact of the demolition of the wall. It should be said that in some cases such requests can not be satisfied, since the wall that is planned to be demolished turns out to be a carrier. This means that it can not be removed, because in this case the reliability of the construction of the building will be threatened.
- Financial and time costs for demolishing the wall.
Ventilation
Special attention should also be paid to ventilation. There are two options for solving the problem:
- fan installation;
- outlet of the ventilation pipe / grate.
The first option is preferable, because at the moment there are many so-called fan-robots that work after reaching a certain temperature or humidity level. You can install a fan that is cheaper, which is tied to the switch and will work while the light in the bathroom is turned on. Fans differ in power consumption and, accordingly, in performance. For example, if the area of the combined bathroom is 5m² or more, it makes sense to take a fan with a capacity of 2000 l / h.
Some builders deduce a small piece of pipe from the bathroom to the kitchen. But here again, there is the possibility that all the smells that arise during cooking, will, somehow, be present in the bathroom.
You can make ventilation by placing a grid at the bottom of the door. However, if we take into account the fact that in most buildings the bathroom is located directly opposite the entrance door, all the heat will escape through the same ventilation.
Tips for
Visual expansion of a small bathroom
The owner of a modest little bathroom needs to try hard to figure out how the plumbing will be located. For the competent planning of the design of the combined bathroom and the visual expansion of space, there are little tricks that we will share.
The properly positioned mirrors will help us, as well as many options, including plumbing and glossy tiles, which have reflective abilities.
We should not neglect the choice of the color scheme in which the bathroom will be made. Ideally, you can use from one to three colors. Individual accessories can both harmonize with the general tone, and create an advantageous contrast, a special mood.
In the traditional bathroom in white, you can add a black accent: it betrays the feeling of some luxury. But do not forget about the sense of proportion.
The bright room seems more visually, so designers recommend using light pastel shades or white for wall decoration.
A huge misconception is the opinion that it is believed that the bathroom, laid out from below with dark tiles and light - up to the ceiling, visually lengthens the walls. On the contrary - the ceiling in such a room seems lower.
Bright light can increase the room. Unusually looks neon lighting, which is also of different colors, located around the perimeter of the bathroom.
Plumbing
In some cases, it is possible to optimize the space by moving the plumbing to another location. Let's look in detail at the location of plumbing. There are two ways of placing sanitary ware in a combined bathroom: linear and radial.
In the first case, the plumbing is located in such a way that the room one way or another is divided into sectors, and the plumbing is located in parallel. Radial arrangement is the arrangement of objects along the perimeter of the bathroom.
If we talk about the standard traditional bathroom, it will be advisable to place it against the wall opposite the door. If the place is sorely lacking, the installed shower or even a shower with a drain in the floor will be a wonderful solution. When choosing it is recommended to choose a version made of frosted glass, since on such a glass the stains are not so noticeable.
If you arrange it on a so-called pedestal, you can easily hide the drains. Be sure to note that the height of the cabin walls is less than the ceiling height. This will also create the illusion of a high ceiling.
What to choose: comfort and luxury of a bath or practicality and compactness of a shower booth - it's up to you. Under the sink can be located a washing machine or a table top with many shelves or drawers for towels.
However, it is not always possible to arrange the plumbing as you intended, since, for example, the toilet should fit strictly into the crosspiece next to the riser. If you still conceive a slight transfer of the toilet, you should remember that the horizontal location of sewer pipes is unacceptable. In some cases, the cross is slightly drowned in the floor to avoid flooding. Any ill-conceived experiments with the transfer of this subject may result in an additional waste of money, because here we are dealing with clearly regulated requirements.
Zoning
A spacious bathroom allows you to have a large number of interior items. You can decorate such a bathroom in the style of minimalism, content with spaciousness, or create a truly luxurious bathroom, which will be a work of art.
Zoning can make a large room more cozy and functional.
Partitions made of translucent glass blocks can divide space into sectors without reducing its dimensions. Or partitions lined with tiles.
In bathrooms large size bath can be located in the middle. Such a bathroom often also involves two washbasins and a wide mirror.
Zoning of the room will help finish the ceiling, walls and floors.
For example, ceramic tiles can be used to highlight the zone that interests you.
To create the necessary contrast and give originality will help and the combination of floor tiles with laminate.
An interesting and effective solution will be the zoning of the bathroom with the help of a picture.
Finishing
Walls
The bathroom is a place with high humidity and frequent changes in temperature. That is why it is necessary to approach the choice of finishing materials responsibly.
The most popular material for wall finishing is ceramic tiles due to its remarkable hygiene and durability. The problem can be assembled, because it requires special skills.
Perhaps the cheapest option is painting the walls, which even a person can do without experience, but one should take into account the fact that from a constant temperature drop, ordinary paint can crumble. Therefore, you should choose a special water-based mixture. In addition, the walls are rarely perfectly flat, so they must be straightened before painting, which will require additional costs.
Plastic panels are very easy to install, and they are not as expensive as tiles, but it should be noted that plastic is a material not quite suitable for home. It is easily ignited and, in addition, very fragile.
Moisture-resistant plasterboard is also used for wall finishing in the bathroom, however after installation it is necessary to process it afterwards.
And, finally, the most expensive finishing material is marble, which has excellent ecological properties, and requires special care.
Ceiling
With regard to the finish of the ceiling in the bathroom, the most commonly used plastic, which will last for a relatively long time and also reflects the light well.
In the trend is still vinyl stretch ceilings, which have good environmental characteristics.
Mirror ceiling will become a kind of highlight of every bathroom.
Floor
Among the materials that are used for finishing the floor in the bathroom, the first place is again ceramic tiles.
"People's" or in other words the budget material is often called linoleum, which is used everywhere, including in the bathroom.
Recently, more and more popular is waterproof laminate for the bathroom.
Ideally a flat floor can be achieved by using a special polymer liquid, the cost of which will make many think.
Wooden floor is quite rare, expensive, but modern manufacturers offer moisture-resistant materials or choose a special protect the tree from excess moisture.
Natural or artificial stone is also used for floor finishing, however, this option is not cheap.
Selecting plumbing
Designers of sanitary ware offer our attention a huge choice for every taste and purse. In connection with the fact that recently minimalism is in fashion, the plumbing manufacturers represent models of washbasins and toilet bowls that are attached to the wall. This design solution allows you to significantly expand the passage and simplify the process of replacing the tiles on the floor.
Corner baths or the installation of a shower enclosure instead of a bath will save space, thus making room for a washing machine or washbasin.
When planning the design of a combined bathroom, think out the color range and think about what kind of plumbing you want. Remember that plumbing should be matched in one style. We wish you to approach this process creatively and be content with the results of your work!