Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Considerations For Great Basement Bathroom Design

Do you have some extra room in the basement that's not being used? Thinking about installing a bathroom? It's a great idea, since many older homes were built with only a single bathroom. Installing a new bathroom in your basement is a lot more convenient for families and guests, and it's not as hard as you might think. However, you'll need to make sure you pay attention to a few important basement bathroom design factors. That'll help you be sure that you're getting the most out of your space, and you'll be able to avoid unexpected problems later.

The first thing to do is look at the space you have available and pay attention to your available utilities so that you can lay out your basement bathroom design. You'll want to locate the bathroom such that it's close to plumbing and electrical wiring, so that hookups will be inexpensive and simple. As long as you've got access to electricity and plumbing, you'll be able to put together a space that works well and is pleasant to be in.

Many people choose to position their basement bathroom directly under the one on the upper floor, because everything is already set up. This is the best choice, but if you can't do so because of layout concerns, try to get yours as close as you can. Once you know where in your basement the bathroom will be located, it's time to get out your pencil, paper, and design skills. Make sure that your basement bathroom design takes fixture size and shape into account, leaving plenty of room to move around and add storage if that's needed.

You'll want to decide whether or not you want a full or half bath. Full baths include a shower or tub in addition to a sink and toilet. They're a lot more convenient, but not all basements have the space or are conducive to bathing. If the room tends to be chilly or won't deal with the additional moisture well, you may wish to skip the shower or tub. If you do install a tub, think about things like warmth, water-proof flooring, non-skid mats and wall tile in addition to your other design concerns.

Like any other bathroom, your basement bathroom design will need to take your routine and budget into account. However, there are a few things about building a room like this in the basement that you may not be expecting. Lighting, for instance. Basements don't usually have many windows to provide lighting in the bathroom, so you'll need to make sure there's even, inviting, bright lighting in the bathroom itself and along the path to it. No one wants to wash up in a cave, after all. There's also plumbing to think about - a bathroom that's below your existing pipes may need special plumbing mechanisms to get rid of waste water. These aren't hard to install, but they cost more and may have their own special requirements.

Adding a basement bathroom to your home is a relatively simple home remodeling project. Just remember to put a lot of through into your basement bathroom design before you get started. That way, you'll be able to avoid problems, stay under budget, and get a bathroom that's pleasant and functional, too.

Thomas Johnsen is the Author and Leading Expert on Basement Bathroom Designs and the creator of the publication Basement Bathroom Design. Visit the site now to find the easy-to-understand step-by-step guides on basement bathroom construction available online today.

Bathtub Floor Damage

No comments: