Planning a total bathroom reno

Nelson Interior Stylists

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi guys. i thought i would see if any builder has some advice for me or any other professional .

Im a property stylist so i can make it look pretty once the bones are there but for now some advice would be great.

We have brought this beautiful art deco inspired home .

Built in 1947.

At the moment the laundry has a shower and toilet so the main bathroom is used to brush our teeth and no much more.

I was thinking of a bathroom with no bath as our kids are grown up and the youngest is 9 so showers are fine but selling later causes a ? on that.

This will be the first room to change, our home is a soft Hampton palette lending itself to grey blue and crispe white.

Dimentions are a small 2450 x 1750 so tight i know. i would like to the keep these old window unless you think they have to go.

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PRO

Dr Retro House Calls

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

It is cosy but not impossible. I would keep the windows and run a 1500 x 750 small bath across the room under the window. Put a 900 x 900mm shower in the corner where the old bath currently ends. Reframe the doorway for a 720 door and swing it the other way, with enough room for a towel rail behind the door. Put a toilet with a concealed cistern between the new shower and new bath. Run a 300mm wide vanity across the end of the bath along the wall about 1350 long making sure you have enough clearance between the corner of the vanity and the shower, and have a small semi-recessed basin opposite the toilet.

As a professional I find that small bathrooms are the hardest to design as every millimetre counts. If you want a shower, a bath, a toilet and a WC in such a small space then you have to make some compromises, such as the semi-recessed vanity, the narrow vanity, the standard shower (with a glass door), and a bath built into a hob. Don't even think about freestanding baths and walk-in showers in such a small space unless you are prepared to lose a fitting, or make the room bigger.

For small bathrooms I always draw up the elevations and plan with properly scaled fittings at 1:20 scale to make sure that everything fits. Use every trick you know with lights and mirrors to decieve the eye into thinking you are in a bigger space.

Tiny Townhouse Luxury Bathroom Renovation · More Info

Best of luck with your new home,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

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Comments (34)

PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
6 years ago
Do you need a toilet in this bathroom, or is there another toilet nearby, apart from the one in the laundry?
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
a toilet would be great as we only have one in the laundry.

Basically we brought the house and the last people started putting things in place to do the reno hence the toilet in the laundry. once the bathroom is done we will do the reno on the laundry
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siriuskey
6 years ago
Dr Retro asked is there a toilet nearby, ie is the laundry next door to the bathroom.

Some clever plumbing like this might be needed in your reno to help preserve features.
Small older style bathroom similar size to yours with wall mounted vanity retaining old window, toilet and shower with a curtain.
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much for all your help.

I really love the idea of a bath under the window.

I think from what you said that a toilet may have to be removed from the room.

We have a bedroom that is 5 x 4.5 metres so we could put one in there i guess.

Its so lovely of you to take your time to give me advice.

I do not want a tiny tiny sink but i understand its tight on space.
siriuskey
6 years ago
Oops sorry I didn't notice that you had directed your dilemma at Professionals.

As a non pro I think it would be a shame to cram so much into a "family bathroom", you mentioned that the your kids shower anyway.

Having 5 x 4,5m bedroom with room for an ensuite which could easily accommodate a normal sized bath would be my choice. good luck
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked siriuskey
siriuskey
6 years ago
Hi there, I had to laugh when you said the kids were grown up the youngest is 9yrs, there's a bit more growing to be done in your family. But seriously think of me as a potential buyer with 3 "grown up kids", I would be very concerned about floor space and not just how much can be crammed into a small space, my grown up kids are 6'4 and 6'2 cheers
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
When I say grown up it’s because I have 7 children and 4 have left that are 26,22,20 and 18 . So I guess I mean not toddlers so a bath is not a must . It’s a little house so I have little options
siriuskey
6 years ago
That's a big family, do they visit often, it appears that the shower and WC in the laundry will be necessary for that number.
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes they visit every week . And they each call at least 2 times a week . As we are also doing a large 3 x 6 metre decking that will serve as eat in and out area we may be able to put a toilet there as I’m closing in part of the deck I think
siriuskey
6 years ago
being the second youngest of seven children I know exactly how that is, wonderful, we only had one WC, not sure how we all survived, that big indoor out door space will be perfect.
annb1997
6 years ago
I also think a bath under the window would be lovely, and a floating vanity and toilet tucked along wall and behind door; however if you wouldn't use a bath, then go with a shower. Agree with suggestion to change the door and hinge it on the right.
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked annb1997
Jenny Wilcox
6 years ago
Regarding the hinged door on the right, you probably have your light switches there. These could be moved onto the wall immediately outside the bathroom; alternatively, could you put a sliding door which goes into the wall, as it looks like there is no plumbing or anything at that end of the bath. If you do want a shower in that corner, the side wall could take the plumbing.
PRO
Daniel Lindahl Architecture
6 years ago

I think this plan will give you the best use of the space you have and you don't even have to rehang the door if you don't want to. Leave the little used bath out, plan for yourselves rather than resale.
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked Daniel Lindahl Architecture
PRO
3DA Design Drafting and 3D Visuals
6 years ago
Daniel Lindahl's sketch is spot on! Except maybe switch the door to swing towards wall.

You can also switch toilet and vanity if you prefer.

Big walk in shower will look good. Just find good tile to make it a feature
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked 3DA Design Drafting and 3D Visuals
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok you guys are right. No bath sounds perfect
PRO
Daniel Lindahl Architecture
6 years ago
I think the toilet near the door is better, then you can have the paper roll to the side instead of behind you! And yes, if it's easy to switch the door hanging I would do it, but there is that thing about the light switch, and I have never been a fan of having bathroom light switches outside the door, especially in a household of 9-year olds! Too much opportunity for pranks when you are in the shower...
angelasusanm
6 years ago
Definitely ditch the bath (unless you happen to like dusting and cleaning baths) – a small bathroom does not need a tub. Refer to the small bathroom design feature in today's Houzz post for lots of Good Ideas.
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
there is only one question.

where the shower is going there is a window.

can i still have the shower if the window is there?
siriuskey
6 years ago
Not with those windows you would need a highlight window, and you were wanting to keep the windows, so it looks like a shower on the left had side looking in, or a lovely laundry, any floor plans yet
PRO
Daniel Lindahl Architecture
6 years ago
If you don't want to change the window openings I would think you could keep the windows as long as they have obscure glass for privacy.

The main issue would be how to protect the timber from rotting in the wet environment. I would be inclined to replace them with aluminium framed double-hung windows in the same openings, with fixed ventilation at the top.

Also remove the architraves and trim back the inside sill flush with the wall, then dress the waterproof membrane into the opening and take the wall tiling up to at least the top of the windows, if not to the ceiling.
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked Daniel Lindahl Architecture
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
I’ve got plans. I will load tonight when I’m home
siriuskey
6 years ago
That would be good to see, as with all houses of that period the Loo was down the end of a path in the back garden. They were eventually brought forward to the rear of the house along with the laundry usually under a verandah like yours, but not in side like the bathroom.

That makes me think that there must be a a Loo and laundry some where behind the bathroom.

An opening skylight would work wonders for the existing bathroom but I think it could be so much more
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
No there is no loo there. The last people started a Reno but only to sell the house so we have had to have some plumbing fixed along with repairing many skirtings and so on.

The laundry is under the roof but the last people put a shower and toilet in there too but we will remove this.

Anothe home down the street used a whole room to create wet areas but we don’t want to do that as we are lucky to have feature fireplaces
siriuskey
6 years ago
Fireplaces can look beautiful in bathrooms
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked siriuskey
siriuskey
6 years ago
floorplan?
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Ok friends here’s the plan
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Here is one of what we are thinking after all your amazing help but kitchen needs help and I cannot decide
siriuskey
6 years ago
Thanks for the measurements, there were a few missing that would have made it easier to be more precise, But I'am making suggestions on what I think might fit within the existing floor plan which you are trying to do. the only small extension is to fit the laundry into a shared family bathroom. As there is already a shower and toilet in the current laundry I think it would be wrong to move them as they are close to your new alfresco area for the family to have easy access when you have your get togethers.

To try and keep the girls bedrooms a good size and together with the other two bedrooms I suggest working with the fireplace and making the current Bathroom and ensuite but with the ability to share the toilet with the girls during the night.

I have added my beloved barn doors to close off the kitchen from the bedrooms and also to be able to leave open during the day for extra light., the planned deck with roof over will make the dining/study/kitchen darker so you might need to consider a sky light.

Anyway just a few different ideas trying to work with and around special features cheers
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for your kindness in doing the design but a few things can’t change. I love our living with the fireplace and we have had wires placed through the chimney for a tv on the wall and a new sofa has been ordered as has sheets curtains for that room.

see photo
At the moment we are happy to take space from pearls room as they are large rooms.

we also own a unit at the back of our property that is having a toilet and shower put in .

I think with the laundry to keep the toilet but remove the shower as it’s only a temp one while renovating and is a fibreglass small unit.

My husband did the plans so some of the measurements may not be perfect but very close.

my fatherlaw will draw them up later as he’s a draftsman

the kitchen is an area that we are trying to see what we can do as I’ve seen homes where the kitchen flows into the split level
siriuskey
6 years ago
Another thought for you.

The step down to the old verandah, would you consider bringing that up to the same floor level as the kitchen, I know you're trying not to push walls out but I would rather see you add space to the old verandah and add the bi fold/sliders but preferably French doors and then add a deck off that.?
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
Original Author
6 years ago
We thought of bringing the floors at the same level but the roof is low on the bottom level so it can’t be done. My husband is 6 foot and my 2 sons are 6 foot 1 and 6 foot 3
siriuskey
6 years ago
If it was within budget it would be worth while level that roof out so that it loses it's filled in Verandah appearance. We had a house with a filled in Verandah it was so much better when we leveled the floor and became it part of the house which also allowed furniture to fit better.
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked siriuskey
PRO
Evergreen Walls Pty Ltd
6 years ago
Hi Nelson,

It’s great to hear that you’re trying to stick to the art deco style of the home as much as possible! If you really want to keep the bath, place it underneath the windows, as a shower there will mean a lot more waterproofing to protect those window frames. Otherwise, a shower behind the door and a toilet on the left-hand side when you walk in will suit your grown family as well as provide a lot more space for things you will actually use.

Good luck with it,

Richard
Nelson Interior Stylists thanked Evergreen Walls Pty Ltd

Planning a total bathroom reno

Dr Retro House Calls

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