The Benefits of Utilising a Small Bathtub for Guests
The standard bathtubs have evolved immensely over the last few years from our rather dull straight lined bathtub which are norm within households throughout the UK, to fashionable and therapy giving baths such as the modern Jacuzzi and whirlpool baths and the more traditional roll top and freestanding models.
Most of us have the standard bath in the master bathroom or possibly a half sized bathtub featured in a smaller cloakroom; these handy little spaces are normally furnished with only a sink and toilet and sometimes go by the name “Powder Room” because of the tendency of guests to go in there to freshen up. The problem with these pint-sized baths is that they are so small, so how do we make that small ugly bathroom usable and inviting? Well the first and obvious solution is to place them in a convenient and accessible place on the first floor of your home near a public area. But remember that because some people are naturally shy when it comes to using the toilet, you want to place your half-bath partially down the hall where the bathroom doors do not open directly onto your living room or dining room space. The purpose of a half bath is to eliminate traffic that may congest the main bath in your home. Since these bath spaces are regularly used by guest, (sometimes called “guest bathrooms” for obvious reasons) you want to make the space appealing to leave a memorable lasting impression of you and your home on your visitors.
So you have located your half-bath down the hall or around the corner away from curious or glaring eyes. For the most part half-baths don’t have to be more than 4×5 feet and the minimum space required should be no less than 3×6 feet in order to be usable and meet municipal bath standards. The great thing about these pint-sized bathrooms is that because of their smaller size you won’t need as much building and surface materials so you can splurge on higher priced fixtures and finishes to impress and wow your house guest. Spacing saving methods abounds everywhere. Because of the size of this bath layout, the consideration of door clearance is very important. When refining your bathroom space, in order to eliminate the inconvenience of an inward swinging door that makes entering the small space awkward, a sliding or pocket door offers a convenient way to deal with the narrow space. If your powder-room is long and narrow, placing the sink and toilet on opposite ends of the diminutive bathroom space will free up the middle of the room so that a swinging door can be easily accommodated.
Another plus of having a half-bath is if the main bathroom in your home is very busy in the morning, a half-bath with a room length vanity is the perfect place to do grooming on those extra busy mornings. Improving upon your existing bathroom space by installing a wall length mirror is one way to add impact, alleviate any sense of claustrophobia and open up the space. To make the most of this tiny bath one trick is to locate the sink and the toilet on the same side of the bath to better utilize and conserve bathroom floor space. Alternatively, to create a small half-bath with big impact, having a vanity corner unit that crawls along two sides of your bathroom wall, not only acts as a design element but also provides amble counter space for display, toiletries and grooming. The shape and size of your half-bath will impact not only what you can put in your bath but also how effectively you can use the space. Long and narrow baths are the most difficult to use whereas a square powder-room will give you the most layout options to help eliminate most design challenges.
To get the most of the limited space in your half-bath, the purchase of smaller fixtures will help to conserve space. Pedestal sinks are the obvious choice but not the only option for the sink area. Remember that because the space is small, you can let your creativity loose without impacting the overall style of your house too much. A converted bedroom chest drawer or exotic piece of wood furniture may be exactly what the space needs. Forget about the bathroom in a box concept, this is the room to be creative, if you dare, just don’t go overboard or you’ll sink the ship. Yet the introduction of exciting colours and eclectic bath elements all contribute to add impactful design wallop to your half-bath.
Minimum sized half-baths are perfect for your guest. Unlike master bathrooms that are more focused on luxury, half-baths in your home are more about function and finesse. Because they are in fact guest baths, they must be maintained on a regular basis if you entertain regularly. When selecting fixtures and finishes for your small half-bath don’t skim on quality, this not only ensures that your fixtures will last a long time but will also be able to withstand a rigorous cleaning schedule and the finishes won’t get tarnished from your cleaning products. But never forget that the simple comfort and convenience of your guest bath will impact the perception of you and your family. Feel free to use less conventional materials such as gorgeous foil wallpaper or that impressive vessel sink that just shouts out opulence. A smaller sized bathroom space does not mean you have to sacrifice style or facilities, just remember to plan out your half-bath so that your guest have ample space to access and store toiletries and cosmetics during their visit leaving a positive impactful impression of you and your home.
JT Spas is one of the leading suppliers of modern, traditional and contemporary bathroom products including the latest roll top baths and freestanding baths combined with luxury items such as state of the art steam showers, whirlpool baths and much more.
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