Fit A Small Bath in Your Small Home

By: Terry Sheridan

Published: January 21, 2011
Squeezing a small bath into your already-small home might seem like a head-banger of a problem, but the space is there if you know where to look.

Effort Low 1-2 days (install)
Investment Low $500 (sink & toilet)

Fitting a small bath into your small home is easier than you think. You’ll only need a sink, a toilet, and about 20 square feet of floor space to meet most local building codes for a half bath. Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind:

Scouting for space. Consider under stairs, closets, and stealing space from other areas, such as bedroom alcoves and porches. A space about 3-by-6-feet or 4-by-5 feet will work.

Stay connected. The farther away connections to existing plumbing pipes and exhaust vent stacks are, the costlier the project. It’s easier and cheaper to run lines through an unfinished area above or below a bath than a finished area you have to cut into and then re-patch.

Look for space near existing “water walls”—walls that already have plumbing in them, usually located in kitchens and existing bathrooms.

Don’t sweat the windows. No need for windows in your small bath—they’ll just eat up valuable wall space. Instead, install shelves for hand towels and soaps.

The doors. If codes allow and you have the space, have your door swing inward to avoid collisions. Better yet, consider a pocket door that glides into a wall and saves space inside the bath and out.

Small is beautiful. Lilliputian fixtures offer high style for small spaces. The general idea: Pedestal sinks, wall-wide mirrors to enlarge tiny spaces, light colors, wall-mounted sinks and faucets, and shelves.

Kohler claims its Rialto toilet, at 25.25 inches front to back, is the industry’s smallest. Cost: About $300.

Woodcrafters’ Sierra Vanity is just 21 inches wide and 13 inches deep. Available at Home Depot. Cost: About $350.

The Whitehaus Isabella wall-mounted sink (WH114RTB) is a mere 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep. Cost: About $250.

By the book. A bathroom project require permits and an inspection to ensure it meets codes. Otherwise, you could be forced to tear out whatever wasn’t done right.

Terry Sheridan has written about home improvement and remodeling issues for more than 20 years. She’s remodeled homes ranging from 1,500 square feet to 3,000 square feet.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/fit-small-bath-your-small-home/#ixzz1CGaWgCfS