The combined bathroom is not a rare phenomenon. Some people like this option, some do not. In any case, it has its advantages and disadvantages. And how to create comfort and coziness in such a bathroom, and give it an original and beautiful design, we will tell in this article.
Advantages and disadvantages of combining
The advantages of combining are that:
- The area of the room will increase due to the demolition of the wall between the lavatory and the bathroom.
- The layout of a combined bathroom requires less costs for the purchase of building and finishing materials.
The main disadvantage of the combined bathroom is that two people can not use it at the same time. This is a problem especially for large families. For example, when in the morning, all family members need to take water procedures, use the toilet, apply makeup, etc.
Requirements for interior elements
When deciding to combine a bathroom and a restroom, first familiarize yourself with the requirements that are imposed on the room itself and on the interior elements:
- The compactness of all plumbing fixtures, appliances and furniture.
- Moisture resistance of all products and materials used in finishing.
- Durability and practicality of all subjects.
- Presence of a window or other ventilation system.
- The combination of materials, colors and shapes.
- Enough lighting.
Planning
Any bathroom, first of all, is evaluated for its functionality. The more spacious the room and at the same time the more it is necessary for any bathroom sanitary ware, household appliances and furniture, the higher the functionality of the room. Therefore, proper and preliminary planning is especially necessary for this room. In this part of the article, we will look at how you can place a bath, sink, toilet bowl, washing machine, laundry basket and other bathroom accessories so that the room does not become too tight and can be used freely and comfortably.
The principles of selecting and placing a standard set of interior elements of a combined bathroom are presented here:
Bath or shower
If the area of the room is small, then instead of a bathtub, it is more desirable to mount a shower in it. It will take up less space, but it will do its job well. Particularly relevant for such rooms are the angular types of shower cabins. If you still decide to install a bath, you can place it against the wall opposite the entrance, and the rest of the elements should be mounted on one side. In this case, the need to expand communication in different directions disappears. In addition, there are models of corner baths, which to some extent save space and make the room ergonomic.
Sink
For small rooms, the most optimal is the installation of corner types of sinks, including washbasins with curbstones. In order to save space under the sink and add lightness and a modern look to the interior, refer to the suspension models of the sinks and pedestals.
Toilet bowl
The toilet is better to choose a bath and a general style of the interior of the room.
Washing machine
The washing machine can be installed both under the sink and separately from all furniture and sanitary ware. Owners of more spacious bathrooms can afford a spacious curbstone with a sink and a counter top under the washing machine.
Furniture
In the bathroom, combined with the toilet, you can install various types of cabinets, cabinets and shelves. In them you can place numerous cosmetics, bath accessories, towels, household chemicals, toilet paper, etc.
For proper planning at the beginning of all work, draw a plan of the premises and mark on it the location of the water supply and sewage pipes. This you need in order to exclude unnecessary holding pipes. Arrange the plumbing in such a way that they can be connected with communications without problems and at the same time so that access to the devices themselves is free. A very good method of compact placement is the installation of all plumbing in one wall, which allows you to not restrict movement in a relatively small area of the room. In addition, do not forget to provide for the location of the power lines for outlets, lighting and other electrical appliances on the plan.
The following are the main recommendations of experienced designers who will help make the bathroom as functional and comfortable as possible:
- The space in front of a shower cubicle or bathroom should not be less than 70 cm. It is desirable that this figure reach 110 cm.
- The same amount of space should be between the heating system andbath or shower.
- It is better to install the sink at a height of not less than 80 cm from the floor.
- It is recommended to install the toilet seat in a convenient place, providing around it a free space - at least 60 cm in front of the toilet and 40 cm at its sides.
Popular materials for finishing
The most popular material for interior finishing of the combined bathroom is ceramic tiles.
Here are some tips for decorating the room with tiles:
- If you want to trim the walls of the bathroom with tiles, then we recommend that you turn to the ready-made sets of wall and floor tiles from the manufacturer. So you do not need to separately choose a tile for the floor, walls and ceiling.
- For the same room, you can use different sizes or shapes of tiles of the same color. For example, tiles of small and medium sizes for wall decoration, and large sizes for finishing the floor.
- Rectangular tiles, located horizontally, can visually increase the area of the room.
- To create an original, interesting and lively interior, use tiles of different colors for wall and floor finishes.
It should be noted that in addition to tiles, porcelain stoneware and mosaic are also used for finishing bathrooms. They are also characterized by high moisture resistance, strength and durability.
What color solution does the room choose?
In what color to decorate your bathroom completely depends on your taste. The only thing to consider is the characteristics and features of some colors that should not be neglected.
For example:
Light colors can visually increase the area of the room.
Excessively bright and evocative colors sometimes have a negative impact on the well-being and mood of a person, so instead of them, coloring the bathrooms in warm colors and soft colors of fresh flowers is much preferable.
Bright colors can only be used if there are not too many colors and they will be diluted with other colors. The multicolored interior will always maintain a good mood.
Black and other dark shades can also take place in the bathroom, but they must be diluted with boiling white or warm, soft colors, so as not to get too gloomy interior.
A very cheerful and positive interior will turn out to be yellow. This color is well suited for space-constrained bathrooms, in particular, if they do not have windows;
Brown wood color in the interior of the bathroom is the color of elegant luxury. This color will be especially relevant if the furniture is made of natural wood, treated with moisture-resistant means.
The feeling of a spacious room can also create opaque and transparent interior elements. For example, a transparent partition of the bathtub or the door of the shower can somehow neutralize the sense of bulky plumbing.
Zoning
Zoning of a combined bathroom is necessary in order to visually divide the portion of the bath and toilet. This can be done in several ways:
- Architectural zoning.
- Color zoning.
- Lighting zoning.
Architectural zoning
It is realized through partitions, screens and different niches. Partitions are made of plasterboard and their surface is covered with moisture-resistant varnish. Also, it can be applied some decorative element. The task of the partitions is not a real delimitation of the bathroom, otherwise the whole sense of the combined bathroom will be lost. They are designed to visually delineate the area of the bathroom and toilet.
You can also demarcate zones using furniture, rugs and houseplants. A long path, for example, can be lined on the border of the bath and toilet. In a spacious bathroom zoning can be done with floor pot plants, for example, placing them between a toilet and a washbasin. Zoning of a bathroom with a large area can also be done at different levels of the floor and ceiling.
Lightning zoning
Differentiation of different brightness and shades of light streams is carried out with the help of various lamps, lamps and other lighting devices. For example, the lamps placed above the sink will direct a stream of bright light onto it. The effect of zoning is created by the fact that the area of the shell will be brightly lit, and the areas of the toilet and the bath will be darkened.
Color zoning
The most economical and convenient way to differentiate is this method. Since by means of colors it is possible to simultaneously zonate and colorfully decorate the interior of the room.
The possibilities of zoning space with the help of colors are unlimited:
- You can focus on the main elements of the interior. For example, if the room is decorated with red tiles, plumbing and furniture can be purchased in white. On a red background, they immediately stand out. And to enhance accents and accurate distribution of areas, the surface around the mirrors and towel rails, you can finish with white tiles.
- An interesting interior will turn out if you paint the bathroom and toilet area in different colors.
- Zoning can also be done using tiles with decorative elements.
Ventilation
The combined bathroom is a place twice with a high level of humidity. Therefore, regardless of its size, it must be provided with a good ventilation system.
Lighting
In the bathroom, there is not much lighting: a brightly lit room in the morning will easily wake your body, cheer up and lift your mood and help to perfectly apply makeup. In addition, bright lighting can visually expand the space. In this room is required installation of two types of lighting - general and local. It is also desirable to install a relay switch, which provides adjustment of the brightness of light. General lighting is installed, as a rule, on the ceiling. And the installation of local lighting depends, first of all, on your wishes and taste. Usually they are installed near a mirror or bath. So in the evening after a hard working day leaving a muffled light near the bath, you can relax as much as possible and even meditate. Halogen lamps can also be installed in furniture and on the ceiling.
It is important to remember that all used lighting fixtures in the bathroom should be designed for an increased level of humidity.
How to "revive" the interior: a bit about accessories
After completing the repair and installation of all plumbing and furniture, the stage is coming, for sure for many the most pleasant and easy is the stage of "reviving" the interior. You can "revitalize" the interior with:
- indoor plants;
- textiles: rugs, towels, etc.;
- paintings in glass frames;
- soap holders, holders for toilet paper, dispensers;
- laundry baskets, etc.
Towel holders can be installed on the wall directly above the bathtub or washing machine, as well as on the inside of the door. Also, do not forget about the mirrors. Large mirrors contribute to a visual increase in space. A similar mirror can be placed on the wall above the washbasin. Mirrors can be placed in the wall niches that serve as shelves. It is not recommended to create a mirror ceiling in small bathrooms, as this can create a well effect.