While preparing for bathroom remodeling, have you considered a split bathroom layout? Recommended for larger and busier homes, this is the kind of arrangement that lets you separate your toilet from the area where your shower, tub, and vanities are—the dirty from the dainty, if you will. It’s a layout that has its pros and cons, and it might just be right for you.
Two of a kind
You could have a “split” toilet and shower in two ways, depending on how you want to remodel your Atlanta, GA home:
- Build a water closet. A water closet is essentially an enclosed area, with just enough space for a toilet, that’s within a larger bathroom. Marked off from the rest of the room through sliding doors, shelves, or glass walls—whichever partitioning you prefer—it allows you to go about your business while others attend to their own. Water closets could make for interesting focal points of a bathroom design.
- Expand the water closet. Take the idea of a water closet, but expand it so you would have an entirely separate “toilet” room. This not only affords you more space, but more flexibility for design as well.
But why should you consider a split bathroom in the first place?
Pros: Convenience, cleanliness, and curb appeal
There are two reasons often cited by people who embrace the idea of water closets:
- Convenience. Having a split bathroom makes it easier for you and the rest of your household to complete your routines regardless of whether you live with kids who might throw tantrums trying to get to the potty while you shower, or housemates who, like you, all need precious bathroom time during the workday rush.
- Cleanliness. There’s an argument to be made for keeping the toilet separate. Who wants microbes and odors from the toilet floating over to where you soak in the tub or brush your teeth?
However, there is also a third factor – especially if you are bathroom remodeling to improve the resale value of your Atlanta, GA home. A house on the market will be more attractive if it has a good bedroom-to-bathroom ratio. Your current property might not be able to accommodate an entirely new bathroom, but a split one can help sell it to prospective buyers.
Drawbacks: Personal and physical space
There are drawbacks to building split bathrooms, and both have to do with space. If your bathroom is on the small-to-moderate end of the scale, it might not be practical to put partitions in it. On the other hand, if you truly value your privacy even among family members, you might not like the idea of someone walking in to use the water closet while you’re enjoying a shower.
How can one work in your home? Start assessing the possibilities by consulting your bathroom remodeling contractor.
Sources:
Toilet Room Within the Bathroom: The Ultimate Luxury or Just Absurd?, Curbed.com
5 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid, Houzz.com
