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Shared Half Bath
The Family Powder Room
(Part 2 - Zone Planning)

Careful planning for the multi-user powder room will go a long way to ensuring the powder room will accommodate users of all ages and abilities, as well as help prevent major structural changes in the future.

Just making the bathroom bigger in size does not permit more than one person to use it at a time. Dividing the room into separate zones does.

Zoning:
Zoning divides up the bath into separate areas based on use. Usually the toilet is placed in a separate room (the WC), and the sink and other fixtures assigned to either separate walls or compartments.

• Sink Zone
  
• The WC (Toilet Room)
  
• The WC (Urinal)
  

All diagrams shown here, illustrate a WC at 30" - 36" wide.
Wheelchair access requires at least 48". For ADA Specifications please read:
The Multi-Generational (Universal) Bath

The typical zoned half bath is 5' x 8', divided into two separate rooms. This may sound like a lot of space to devote to a powder room, but it really is too small to be used comfortably by more than one person at a time.

The most common (and far from perfect) configuration is a double bowl vanity in one room, and the toilet in another.

The Sink Zone(s)
When considering a multi-user powder room, the assumption is that a double bowl sink is required. However, the competition among family members is usually for mirror space, not sink access.

By using a single bowl sink, one person can use the sink without interference from the door opening.

This arrangement still isn't very practical for powder rooms that are heavily used. Increasing the overall room size will make it more comfortable and functional.

Adding 6" to the width of the WC, (36"), and 2' to the depth of the entire powder room (7' x 8 .5') allows space for a lavatory in the toilet room, as well as additional storage and/or grooming space in the main area of the bath.

The second sink in the WC not only makes it more convenient for hand washing, but also helps to keep the main area of the powder room neater and cleaner ... a major consideration if the powder room is to be shared by both family and guests.

 
DOORWAYS:
All doorways should allow at least 32" for easy access.

Since privacy in the main part of the powder room is not an issue, the main door could be eliminated, or replaced with two smaller (double) doors.

All doors leading to a WC (water closet) should open away from the WC.

SINKS/LAVATORIES/VANITIES
In heavy use powder rooms, vanity cabinets may be a better choice than pedestal lavatories or the more expensive furniture style vanities found in guest powder rooms.

If there are small children, or the powder room is shared with guests, install locks on vanity cabinet doors and drawers.

Learn All About Vanities  

Countertops can be laminate, marble, granite, or stone with self-rimming drop in lavatory sinks. If room is available, consider installing countertops at different heights for different users.
Know Before You Buy: All About Countertops  

Glass vessels that sit on the counter and are completely exposed, are not practical for use in a family bathroom since they show water spots easily. Young children may will have difficulty reaching over the vessel bowl.

Lavatory/bathroom sinks are designed for use with vanities and countertops.

They are available in Self-rimming, Tile-in, Undercounter and Vanity Top models in a wide variety of materials. Your choice will be determined by your personal preference and particular installation.

Active households might consider installing a deeper or larger sink, such as a decorative fireclay kitchen sink. These larger sinks are especially convenient to bathe little ones (or small pets) when a bathtub is not convenient.

Learn All About Sinks/Lavatories   

FAUCETS:
A single-handle faucet is much easier, and safer for users of all age groups.

A must have in all faucets is a scald-guard or temperature-limit that allows the water temperature to be controlled by adjusting a setting under the handle. This device protects the user, particularly small children, the elderly and the disabled, from being burned from scalding water.

If a deeper or larger sink is chosen, a kitchen faucet with a sprayer and matching soap dispenser will help keep the area tidy.

A commercial fixture making its way into the home is the touchless faucet. The no touch faucet uses an infrared sensor system to turn the water on and off. These faucets and valves are ideal for children and are ADA compliant.

Touchless faucets are powered either by AC (UL listed) or by a Lithium battery for DC applications. The downside of course, is that the faucets will not work in the event of a power outage (AC only) or if the battery needs replacing.

Learn All About Lavatory Faucets   

MIRRORS:
Mirrors expand space in every direction, making the room appear larger. If the vanity is opposite the doorway, the room will have more visual depth.

If the room has a window, position the mirror so the sunlight doesn't hit the surface directly or create glare.

Ideally mirrors over the sink should be illuminated by a series of small lamps around the entire perimeter; or at very least, a row of lamps at both sides.

1. Consider installing a paper towel holder for family members to use
   Reserve the towel bars for guest use only, or eliminate them completely with a decorative holder for guest towels made of paper (available at department and specialty stores).
   
   
2. A deck mounted liquid soap dispenser will eliminate the messy soap dish.
   
   
3. A vanity side-out trash bin will keep the trash out of sight.
   
   
4. Consider using a paper cup dispenser rather than a single glass..
   
   

THE WC ZONE(S))
By definition, a Water Closet (or WC), is a small (often narrow) room or booth, with a minimum size of approximately 16 sq.ft (4'x4'), containing a toilet and often a sink.

The WC provides the minimum amount of room for one person use it. It may contain only a toilet, or it may have a sink as well.

In addition to a separate WC (water closet) for the toilet, a WC with a urinal is a must have if there are men or boys in the household.

THE WC (Toilet Room)
The WC and its fixtures are covered in detail in the article:
The WC (Water Closet)  

THE WC (Urinal)
The WC and its fixtures are covered in detail in the article:
The WC (Urinal)  

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Design Articles   - The WC (toilet room)   - The WC (urinal room)   - The Guest Powder Room   - The Family Powder Room More Design Tips: Universal Bathroom Design Gaining Bathroom Space Planning Considerations: What Every New Bath Should Have ... Fixture Checklist for Your Project

Know Before You Buy: Bath Accessories Console Tables Countertops Faucets Grab Bars / Safety Rails Sinks & Lavatories Toilets Urinals Vanities Ventilation

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