Half bath / powder room

A powder room is a small bathroom with a small

vanity or sink, mirror and toilet and is designed to
accomodate guests as well as family members.  This
type requires the minimum space for the essentials,
though is suitable for restaurants, cafeterias,
shopping malls, etc. In many homes, the closet or
space under the stairway is drafted as a powder room
so visitors don't have to go upstairs to visit the main
bathroom. 
A seperate room for the shower
A completely separate room just for the shower, ensures that the bathroom remains free while the
shower is busy. The room can also have a small sink. 
Three quarter bath  
A three quarter bath is usually small, but large
enough to include a shower, a vanity or a sink, a
toilet and problably storage shelves. 
Master bathroom
The master bathroom is one of the most private
and relaxing spaces. A master bathroom might
include double vanities with sinks and mirror,
toilet in a semiprivate compartment, sauna or
steam shower, soaking or whirlpool tub, storage
for linens and many more amenities. 
Adjoining baths 
This type of two-room bath is ideal for big families
where the bathroom might be occupied most of the
time. 
Bathroom with laundry facilities
In many European countries where many
appartments are small, it not rare to install the
washing machine into the bathroom. 
Master Bathroom
Kids Bathroom
Bathroom with laundry facilities
Compact bathrooms
Toilets for elderly
Types of baths
There's evidence that baths have been around for a Different types of baths
very long time. Remains of copper water pipes found There are many different types of bathtubs. Som
in the Indus Valley date back to at least 3300BC. The designed for comfort, some for convenience and
Romans did much to promote sanitation and made some for aesthetics. Some of the more popular
bathing a common practice, but it lost favour after include:
the Renaissance when people believed that water •Clawfoot and pedestal baths
could pass disease through the skin. Bathing then •Recessed or alcove baths
disappeared from Western culture until its revival •Drop-in baths
towards the end of the 19th century, when baths •Free standing baths
were reintroduced. The idea of a dedicated bathroom •Corner baths
in every home didn’t catch on until after World War 1. •Whirlpool baths or Jacuzzis
Today there are as many styles of baths as there are •Walk-in or gated baths
bathrooms. Baths can be made of many different
materials, and this allows designers to push the
boundaries of what a 'bath' actually is.
Clawfoot baths, as the name suggests, are baths that sit
on four clawed feet. This style of bath came into
popularity as a high society item during the late 19th
century. As the bath was made of cast iron with a
porcelain lining and was extremely heavy, they needed to
reinforce the floor underneath to prevent them from
crashing straight through. Newer materials allow them to
be produced more cheaply and easily, and the originals
are now collectors' items.
There are several variations of clawfoot baths, including
slipper tubs, which feature a high, sloped end to allow for
greater comfort, and double ended tubs which are sloped
at both ends (one end is traditionally 'flat' in conventional
tubs). Another variation on the clawfoot tub is the
pedestal tub, which sits on a pedestal rather than on
clawed feet. Evidence of this style dates back to the Isle
of Crete in 1000BC.
Recessed or alcove baths
Recessed or alcove baths are the kind of tub the
majority of us are most familiar with. Usually installed
against a wall on two or three sides, this type of bath
is the most common variety and is found in the vast
majority of Australian households. Its design hasn’t
changed a great deal over the years, though the
materials it is constructed of have changed from
enamel coated steel or cast iron to acrylic or
fibreglass. These baths are often found with showers
over them.
 
Drop-in baths
A drop-in bath is one that's designed to either drop
into a cavity in the floor or a raised platform for a
(more or less) flush finish. These types of baths can
be quite aesthetically appealing but depending on
Freestanding baths
Freestanding baths, in the simplest sense, are
that don’t connect to any walls for support. T
where some of the most innovative ideas in b
design have been allowed to grow in recent y
resulting in the use of a variety of unconventi
shapes, materials and themes. Clawfoot bath
pedestal baths are technically 'freestanding b
but the category itself also includes many oth
varieties.
 
Corner baths
Corner baths are triangular in shape and are
designed to fit into a corner like a wedge. The
of tubs may be a good solution when space is
and a regularly shaped tub isn't practical. Cor
are often enhanced with air jets, turning them
Whirlpool
whirlpool baths / jacuzzis
baths.
Whirlpool baths and Jacuzzis are a relatively
development, making their first official appe
1968. Though it's now an accepted generic t
whirlpool baths, 'Jacuzzi' is actually a brand
and the surname of the man who invented it
(Candido Jacuzzi, pronounced "Yah-KOOT-see
whirlpool bath, openings located in the bath
stream air bubbles and/or water jets, creatin
pleasant sensation for the bather. They can
enjoyed with hot or cold water, and it's claim
they offer health benefits like improved circu
Other variations on the same theme include
hot tubs and spas.
1.  THREE-FIXTURE BATHROOM:
The conventional three-fixture bathroom without
compartments is designed for use by one person at a
time. The three fixtures can be a Wash basin, a Toilet
and a Shower cubicle or a Wash basin, a Toilet and a
Bathtub-with-or-without-shower.
•There are different ways of arranging the fixtures in
a Bathroom. The best arrangement in terms of using
the space efficiently is having the three fixtures in a
row against the wall opposite the door.
•For a bathroom with wash basin in the centre and
toilet and bathtub/shower on either side, the
minimum size required is 7’4″ x 5’6″. In this type,
the door is in the centre of the wall opposite the wash
basin.
•For a bathroom with wash basin first, then toilet and
lastly bathtub/shower, the minimum size required
is 7’8″ x 5’0″ (for a shower type) and 8’0″ x 5’0″ (for
a bathtub type). In this type, the door to the toilet is
opposite or adjacent to the wash basin.
•For a square type bathroom, with shower cubicle in
one corner and wash basin on one wall and the toilet
on the other wall, the minimum size required is 6’0″
x 6’6″.
•For a square bathroom, with bathtub in one corner,
wash basin onBATHROOM:
4.  UTILITY one wall and toilet on the other wall,
the minimum
•This bathroomsizeisrequired is 6’0″one
a three-fixture x 8’0″.
but has
additional space to allow other functions like
laundering, dressing etc. The minimum size of a
bathroom with a shower cubicle, a wash basin, a
toilet and a dressing area/drying cabinet/linen
cabinet/extra wash basin is 6’6″ x 7’6″ and with a
bathtub it will be at least 9’6″ x 6’6″ or 11′ x 5’6″.
2.  COMPARTMENT BATHROOM:
•To avoid excessive humidity in the usual three-fixt
bathroom, the bath tub or shower cubicle is locate
one compartment with a separate door, while
toilet and Wash basin are located in anot
compartment. This type of bathroom affords priv
for 2 users using the bathroom, at the same time
prevents the build-up of humidity in the wh
bathroom. The minimum size of such a bathro
is 10’6″ x 6’0″.
•Another variation is to have 2 separate bathroo
with separate doors – one with only the toilet, (
minimum size of the Toilet is 3’6″ x 5’0″) and
other with the Shower/bathtub and wash basin,(
minimum size is 5’6″ x 6’0″). In this type, the b
can become a combination bath-dressing room. T
3.  GUEST BATHROOM / POWDER ROOM:
system was very prevalent in India earlier becaus
•Also called “1/2 bath” or “guest bath”, it usu
is recommended in Vastu Shastra.
refers to a two-fixture bathroom, with only a To
and a Wash Basin meant for guests. The minim
size of a powder room is 5’0″ x 5’0″. It is usu
located close to the living/dining room to allow e
access to guests.
5.  LARGE BATHROOM
1.A Four-fixture bathroom – a toilet, a bathtub an
wash basins (His and Her’s) will be 10’0″ x 7’2″
12’2″ x 5’0″.
2.A Five-fixture bathroom – with a bathtub, 2 toi
and 2 wash basins in separate compartments wil
around 16’4″ x 5’0″ or 11’0″ x 8’0″
In addition to the above 5 types of bathrooms, there
are some names that you may come across with
respect to bathrooms such as:
•Shower room: is a room that contains a shower
cubicle (or shower stall), but no bathtub.
•Ensuite: is a bathroom or shower room attached to
and only accessible from a bedroom.
•Family(large)  bathroom: is a full bathroom in a
house.
•Jack and Jill bathroom: is a bathroom with two
doors, accessible from two bedrooms.
PLANNING OF A
BATHROOM
Design Considerations:
Presence of Water in a Bathroom:
•Accessibility: A bathroom should be accessible
The design of a bathroom must account for the
from each bedroom without having to pass through
both hot and cold water, in significant quantiti
another room.
cleaning the human body. The water is also us
•Arrangement: The fixtures in a Bathroom should be
moving solid and liquid human waste to a sew
conveniently arranged with special consideration
septic tank. Water may be splashed on the wal
given to clearances. More than one family member
floor, and hot humid air may cause condensat
should be able to use the facilities at the same time.
cold surfaces. Hence water-resistant materials
Space is required not only for the use of the fixtures
be used for flooring and walls. In addition, the
but also between fixtures, for cleaning and assisting
should slope gradually towards the floor trap
another person like an elderly person or child. Materials in as
a bathroom:
shower area well as in the rest of the bathroo
Due to the abundant use of water in the bath
Ventilation in a Bathroom: ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings s
Good ventilation is essential in bathrooms, both to reduce humidity be impervious to water upto 7′ 0″ height since
and to dispel odours. Exhaust fans in the wall help to remove the does Thenot
use splash
of ceramicabove that height.
or glass, smooth But a
plastic materials,
humid air from the toilet while a ventilator will allow fresh air to Architect, I suggest
bathrooms thatofyou
for their ease should
cleaning tile the
and water-resista
enter the toilet. When fixing a ventilator, care should be taken to height of the walls, as otherwise, the walls abov
properties.
provide privacy while being easily accessible at the same time. will get damp with time due to the high hum
Doors and Windows in Bathroom: levels in the bathroom. and readily and
Bathroom doors are generally small – only 2’6″ wide, but I cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as we
recommend that it be at least 2’9″ wide as otherwise, it can be smooth plastic materials, is common in bathroom
uncomfortable when you come out with an infant, or carrying their ease of cleaning and water-resistant prope
clothes or if you are assisting an elderly person through the door. Generally the walls are tiled only.
The door should always swing inwards preferably against a wall,
such that it does not strike any person using a fixture and it should
not hit against any fixture or an accessory like a towel rod.
Lighting in a Bathroom:
In a compartmented bathroom it is desirable to have sliding doors
The lighting in a Bathroom should be adequate
between various compartments as they are space savers.
the activities. High ventilators, clerestory windo
The inside, lower portion of the door should be covered with a
sky lights will provide excellent illumination
water-proof material to prevent the door from disintegrating.
the day time, while still affording privacy
The ventilator preferably 3’0″ x 3’0″ in size, should be placed high
Ventilators should be of a minimum size of 3’x
but within reach to operate.
grooming, direct sources of light are essential t
It can be located on either side of the wash basin but should not
up the face from all angles.
be behind the toilet or over the bathtub.
The ventilator should open outside as it prevents the rain from
Sound Control in a Bathroom:
Lack of acoustical privacy is one of the most common
complaints about toilets. Sound from the bathroom
can be reduced by the proper placement of the
bathroom in relation to other spaces – closets and
storage walls can be placed between it and adjacent
spaces. Also, sound can be reduced by the use of
sound-proof partitions and tightly fitting doors.
Storage in a Bathroom:
Adequate storage should be provided for current and reserve
supplies of bathroom linen, cleaning supplies, toiletries and
medicines. Current supplies like bath towels and hand towels can
be stored on towel racks near the place of use. Reserve supplies
can be stored in a closet just outside the bathroom. A medicine
cabinet with a mirror in front, can be fixed above the wash basin. A
cabinet with a self-contained hamper for soiled linen and clothes
Mirrors are necessary in a bathroom for
can be provided in a corner.
make the room look larger
Children’s convenience in a Bathroom:
Since the wash basin, toilet heights are fixed for adult heights, it is
difficult for children to reach. But it is not practical to keep the
wash basin at a lower height just for children unless the bathroom
is exclusively for the children. In case the bathroom is shared by
adults and children, provision can be made for a step-up
retractable stool.
Mirrors in a Bathroom:
Mirrors are necessary in a bathroom for grooming. They create an
atmosphere of luxury and spaciousness as well. A full length mirror
on the inside of the door is desirable. A mirror of a minimum height
of 1’6″ should be fixed on the wall above the wash basin. The top
of the mirror should be at a minimum height of 6′ from the floor. A
medicine cabinet with mirrored doors can be used instead.

 
Safety Features in a Bathroom:
•Vertical Grab bars of adequate size should be fixed
at a convenient height near the bathtub and the Drying Facilities in a Bathroom:
shower. Racks for drying women’s light laundry may
•Nonskid finishes should be used for flooring.
provided. These racks can be concealed in
•A door lock that can open automatically from the
ventilated cabinets, provided with a low-wat
inside and can be opened from the outside in case of bulb, to facilitate drying.
emergency should be installed.
•Bulbs and light switches should be located outside
the bathtub and shower areas.
•Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters, and
heated towel rails, generally need to be installed as
fixtures, with permanent connections rather than
plugs and sockets. This minimizes the risk of electric
shock. Ground-fault circuit interruptor electrical
sockets can also reduce the risk of electric shock.
Miscellaneous Activities in a Bathroom:
•A lock should be provided for the medicine cabinet.
Families with infants, prefer to bathe them in
bathroom at the Wash basin or bathtub. Increa
counter top space at the wash basin will allow
bathing and dressing an infant, hair washing, li
laundry etc. The minimum space needed to ba
and dress a baby is 5’0″ wide x 1’6″ deep x 3’0″ h
When a large wash basin and countertop space
provided, it can also be used for dressing up.
TYPES OF BATHROOM
FITTINGS
1. WASH BASIN (SINK) / LAVATORY IN A
BATHROOM:
In plumbing, a Sink or Wash basin is a bowl-shaped
fixture that is used for washing hands or small
objects. Sinks are made of many different materials
such as Stainless steel, Enamel over steel or cast
iron, Ceramic, Plastic, Concrete, Terrazzo, Stone,
Copper or Glass. The Wash basin is fixed such that
the top of(Tap) –
•Faucet the basin is atBasins
Wash a height of 2’9″ have
generally from taps
the
floor. The typical
(faucets) accessories
that supply found
hot and at water
cold the washandbasin
may
are:
include a spray feature to be used for faster rinsing.
The faucets are generally fixed on the basin.
Sometimes they are fixed on the wall, just above the
basin.
•Mirror – The mirror should be of a minimum height
of 1’6″ and should be placed above the Wash Basin
such that the top of the mirror is at 6’0″ height from
the floor. For children, a mirror immediately above
the basin is preferable. The mirror can be a fixed one
or can be fixed in front of a medicine cabinet.
•Shelf –  Optional; can be fixed at a height of 4’0″
from the floor. It can be recessed flush with the wall
or jut out 3″.
•Soap dish – Soap dish can be fixed on the wall on
one side of the Wash basin at a height of 3’6″ from
the floor.
•Tumbler holder – It can be fixed on the wall on the
other side of the Basin at a height of 3’6″ from the
floor.
•Electric receptacle – for Electric Razor or Hair
dryer- should be located on the right side of the basin
at a height of 3’6″ from the floor.
•Towel ring/ bar – for Face towels can be fixed at a
2. TOILET (WC) IN A BATHROOM:
A toilet disposes of human waste by using water to
flush it through a drainpipe to another location. There
are different types of toilets such as the sitting type
called the “western”, the squatting type called the
“Squat” , the combination of squatting and sitting
called the “Anglo-Indian”. The typical accessories
found along with a WC are the following:
Health Faucet – A health faucet is a hand-held nozzle, that delivers
a spray of water to assist in cleansing the user’s anus or genitals
after defecation or urination. It is fixed on the wall on the right side
of the user, when sitting on the toilet. It is generally fixed at a
height of 1’6″ from the floor.
Toilet Roll holder – also known as a toilet paper dispenser is an
item that holds a roll of toilet paper.It can be fixed on the wall on
the left side of the user when sitting on the Toilet, since in most
cultures, only the left hand is used for cleaning the private parts. It
should be reachable while sitting.
3. SHOWER STALL (SHOWER CUBICLE) IN A
BATHROOM:
A shower (also called shower bath) is a booth for
washing, having an overhead shower nozzle that
sprays water down on the body. The standard sizes
are 2’8″ x 4’0″, 3’0″ x 3’0″, 3’0″ x 5’0″ etc. The
standard fittings found in a Shower Cubicle are :
Shower head – A shower head is a perforated nozzle that
distributes the water over a large solid angle. Thus less water can
be used to wet the same area compared to a bucket and mug
system. Shower heads can be adjusted to spray different patterns
of water, and at different angles. The height and type is governed
by the Client’s preferences, but is usually located at a height of 5’9″
from the floor for adults and a height of 5’0″ from the floor for
children.
Shower controls – Hot, Cold water and mixing controls should be
located below the Shower head at a maximum height of 4’6″ from
the floor.
Soap and Sponge holder – can be located on the side wall or the
rear wall, opposite the shower head at a height of around 4’6″ for
easy access.
Shower curtain rod  – Shower curtains are curtains used in
bathtubs with a shower or shower enclosures. They are usually
made from vinyl, cloth or plastic. The shower curtain has two main
purposes: to provide privacy and to prevent water from flooding or
spraying into the bathroom.They are fixed at a minimum height of
6’0″ from the floor.
Shower Ventilator – It is desirable to have the ventilator of the
bathroom in the shower area, as it can effectively remove the
steam.
Shower Stall light – It is optional but should be a vapour-proof
fixture.
Towel Rack – 1’6″ to 2’0″ long for keeping towels. This can be
placed on the rear wall of the shower cubicle at a height of 5’0″
4. BATHTUB IN A BATHROOM:
Bathtub is a plumbing fixture used for
bathing. Most modern bathtubs are made of
acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are
available in enamel over steel or cast iron,
and occasionally wood. The standard sizes
are 5’0″ x 2’8″, 5’6″ x 2’8″, 6’0″ x 3’0″. This
may be in combination with a shower. The
standard fittings that are found along with a
bathtub are:Shower Head  – at a height of 5’9″ from
the floor for adults and 5′ 0″ for children.
Shower Controls – at a standard height of 4’6″ but this is
optional and can be located lower, according to the
Client’s preferences.
Bath Spout  – just above the bathtub, with bath valves
just above the bath spout.
Soap and Sponge Holder – recessed into the wall, at the
side of the bathtub at a maximum height of 3′ 0″ from
the floor.
Vertical grab bars – of length 9″, 12″, 15″, 18″ or 24″.
They are optional but recommended. They are fitted to
the side wall adjacent to the bathtub at a height of
about 3’6″ from the floor.
Towel Bar  – fitted on the side wall adjacent to the
bathtub at a minimum height of 4’0″. However, do not
fix the towel bar next to the bathtub if it has a shower.
Curtain Rod – Keep within the inside face of the tub at a
minimum height of 6’0″. Alternately, glass shower
enclosure can be used outside the tub, to prevent the
water from spilling on the floor.
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM CLEARANCES TO BE
LEFT?
To ensure adequate space for movement and the
convenient use of fixtures in the Bathroom, the
following minimum clearances must be observed. It
should be noted that the fixture dimensions vary a
lot and hence the clearances are taken with respect
to the centre-axis of the fixtures and the edges of
the fixtures.
•Centre axis of the wash basin and the adjacent wall
– 1’8″.
•Side edge of the wash basin and the centre axis of
the toilet – 1’4″.
•Side edge of the wash basin and the edge of the
adjacent bathtub – 2″.
•Front edge of the wash basin and the opposite wall
– 3’0″.
•Front edge of the wash basin and the opposite
bathtub – 2’6″.
For a Toilet:

Centre axis of the toilet and the adjacent wall – 1’8″.

Centre axis of the toilet and the side edge of the Wash basin –
1’4″.
Centre axis of the toilet and the side edge of the bathtub – 1’6″.
Centre axis of the toilet and the end of the bathtub – 1’4″.
Front edge of the toilet and the opposite wall – 2’6″.
Front edge of the toilet and the opposite bathtub – 2’0″.
Front edge of the toilet and the opposite wash basin – 2’6″.