Planning Bathroom Additions: 6 Tips

by DoItYourself Staff

There are several reasons why bathroom additions are a good idea.For example, your household may have outgrown the available bathrooms or you may want to upgrade your lifestyle. Creating a master bathroom for the master suite, adding a guest bathroom in the guest room or a children’s bathroom will improve the quality of life in your household. Another reason for a bathroom addition may be to accommodate the needs of an elderly or disabled person. The additions make the home a lot more convenient and comfortable while also increasing the value of your home. It is possible to make your addition in a cost effective way guided by a number of useful tips.

Choose Location

Locate any extra space within the house that you can convert into a bathroom. The space could be in the basement, an empty corner or even under the stairs in the hallway. Consider splitting some small space from the large rooms in your house and turning the space into an in-suite bathroom.

Plan the Bathroom Size

Considering the available space located above, you will have to add a bathroom that fits that space. A room that is 18 square feet will accommodate a powder room or a half bath. A room that is 30 square feet will be sufficient for a bathroom with a shower while an additional bathroom with a shower and a bathtub will take up 35 square feet.

Consider Who Will Use the Bathroom

Think about who will be using your bathroom addition. This will help you determine the bathroom fixtures to install. An elderly or disabled person’s bathroom for example, will require easy accessibility.

Map Out Fixtures

Use masking tape to outline proposed location of all fixtures. Add an extra 2 feet in front of the toilet. Outline the shower, bathtub and the sink as well. Map out the cabinets and drawers for your storage space and the lighting.

Cost-Effective Bathroom Additions

Establishing a space adjoining two bedrooms will help you add a shared bathroom that will serve both bedrooms. The bathroom can also have a bedroom and a hallway. Choosing a space that shares a wall with the kitchen or another bathroom will be a cost effective measure because you will not have to extend plumbing. An additional bathroom situated close to the main waste drain will also reduce plumbing costs while locating the bathroom above the basement will ease plumbing and electricity connection. A corner shower is ideal to save space, if your bathroom addition is small.

Special Considerations

Soundproofing- Bathroom additions that are located close to the living room require ample soundproofing. This will make it comfortable for the people using the bathroom as well as those in the living area.

Exhaust Fan- It is necessary to install an exhaust fan in a bathroom addition that has no window. This will help in releasing air thus preventing moisture from building up in the bathroom.