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The Guest Powder Room
(Part 1: Design Phase)

No other room in the house is seen by guests more often, with the possible exception of the kitchen.

It should come as no surprise then, that the powder room is remodeled and upgraded more often than any other room in the house.

Because of its smaller size, the powder room is the easiest room for the homeowner to experiment with their style, and still make a big statement with a relatively low budget.

Today, the powder room is no longer just about function and picking out a basic sink and toilet. The design possibilities are limited only by your imagination, or that of your designer.

The Guest Powder Room is a formal room, reserved for the exclusive use of guests. Family members will have their own half bath or WC to use.

Whenever possible, the Guest Powder Room should be placed somewhere near the front door. It should be situated so that guests do not have to walk into private areas of the house. The front hallway is preferred over the family room or bedroom area of the house.

The Floorplan:
When planning a new guest powder room make sure your plan accomodates all those who will use it, including guests of all ages.

While the average powder room today is 20 sq.ft (4'x5'), the trend is toward bigger, more spacious rooms.

Diminutive bathrooms are not accessible to those in wheel chairs ... and are difficult for those using walkers or crutches, those with leg or arm casts, or those who require assistance in the bathroom (including small children). Accessible powder rooms must be at least 5' x 5' and are more usable if a pedestal or wall-mounted sink is installed, rather than a vanity with base cabinet. For rooms under 20 sq.ft, please read the article: The WC (Water Closet)

Planning your bath requires more than just choosing the look you want, or selecting fixtures.

Bathrooms, no matter how small, require piping behind the walls and under the floor. Fixtures once in place, cannot be moved without tearing up walls and floors.

Because the toilet is permanent, its placement should be the first consideration when planning the bathroom.

Typically, the plumbing and fixtures in any bathroom are placed along a single wall. This reduces plumbing costs, but may not necessarily provide the best arrangement.

Believe it or not, increasing the space between and/or in front of fixtures, or by moving a doorway only a few millimeters, can mean the difference between discomfort and ease of use.

Below are four different floor plans for a 5'6"x6'6" guest powder room with a window.

Adding one or two feet to the length of the room greatly increases both accessibility and functionality, as the following illustrations demonstrate.

GRAB BARS / SAFETY RAILS:
When designing your bath, be sure to include grab bars/safety rails to the side of the toilet.

Grab bars and rails installed near the bathroom toilet will help avoid injury by providing safety, additional support and balance when sitting, standing, transferring from a wheelchair or walker; or using crutches.

Grab bars/safety rails must be made of heavy duty steel, and must be anchored to the wall studs to guarantee safety and support. At no time should towel bars be used as grab bars. They cannot support the weight of a falling adult.

Don't like the stark, stainless steel, institutional look? Current models are available in a variety of finishes, and blend well almost any decor.

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

If quarters are tight, a door that swings outward into a hallway or adjoining room allows the necessary space to turn around in the bathroom without first closing the door. Verify that there is enough clearance for the door to open completely, especially in hallways.

Pocket doors (doors that slide into the wall) allow full access without taking up clearance room for the swing. However, they can be difficult to use, especially for children and the elderly.

If the door opens into the room, consider a wall-hung sink or pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet if it is close to the door. When left open, vanity drawers and/or doors will interfere with the bathroom door resulting in damage to the bathroom door and/or vanity. In addition, such an arrangement can create a safety hazard.

WALL HEIGHT:
Wall height needs to be considered only if it differs substantially from the norm, as is the case with sloped ceilings.

A height of at least 80" is required for standing, with at least 24" of floor space in front of the toilet or sink to maneuver around.

If there is not enough ceiling height when the toilet or sink is placed on the short wall, consider boxing in the area behind it. This will move the toilet or sink forward to allow for the needed head room, and provide additional shelf and/or storage space.

The soil stack need not be placed behind the toilet itself, it may be in an adjacent wall. But there must be enough room beneath the floor to accommodate the horizontal pipe slope.

STORAGE:
There should be a place to store hand towels, toilet paper, soap, paper cups, etc.

Resist the tempatation to store/use toothbrushes, hair dryers and other family items in the Guest Powder Room.

Console tables, bath furniture, and custom vanity cabinets are all possibilities.

If a pedestal basin is used, a recessed compartment, narrow closet, or medicine cabinet with a mirrored door is a good choice for most items.

To prevent damage to a china pedestal lavatory, avoid placing loose objects on shelves above the sink.

LIGHTING/ELECTRICAL:
Ideally, there should be at least 10% natural light in a bathroom. Where it is impossible to add a skylight, window, or glass block wall, adequate artificial lighting is critical.

Avoid placing a single light fixture in the middle of the room. Instead, consider recessed spot lighting which is both visually appealing and has a low profile that's perfect for a small space. Adding wall sconces near the mirror will help eliminate harsh shadows.

There will be times when an electrical outlet will be needed. Install an electrical outlet near the sink.

VENTILATION:
Even though moisture and condensation are generally not a concern in a powder room, adequate ventilation is important. Sounds seem louder in a small room, so choose an exhaust fan with the lowest sone rating.

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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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