Very small bath layout guidance

15 years ago

I have a 975 SF raised ranch with one bath. Previous owners studded out a 6x5 area in basement, directly below main level bath. I would like to finish this area for a second 1.5 bath, however it would be atrociously tight as-is. Have a quote from a plumber to core basement floor and rough in plumbing for shower drain, toilet and sink. Understandably, he wants to enlarge the area, which doesn't entail too much demo as it's only finished on the exterior, which is exposed to the open floor plan finished basement.

Where we're of a different opinion is which way to go. As you look at the layout, I don't want to go to the left, as that's a nice little workout area that really can't be made any smaller. Can't go to the right without going a LOT to the right because there's a window almost immediately beyond that right wall, so we'd have to go a good 4-1/2 to 5 feet or more to incorporate that entire window and that'd take too much away from the main room, and make the bathroom larger than it effectively needs to be.

I'd prefer bumping out the door wall, as it's really dead floor space right now -- an 11' wide walkthrough area that could easily give up a few feet. What do you think?

Part of the issue is the plumber doesn't speak English too well, I'm heard of hearing and rely a lot on lip reading; a situation ripe for miscommunication. (Yes, he's licensed, comes well recommended and I've seen his work.) He's a great plumber but perhaps not so much a designer. I have a very reliable and skilled handyman to help with the finish work, but again, design skills...?

The layout below is a very rough prelim sketch done by me. It'll be tight no matter how you slice it -- there's no getting around that, but it is what it is: a small bath in a small house -- no shame in that.

I'm a single mom of three teenagers and proud owner of a very limited budget. We're desperate for a second bath of any size, and just trying to make the most of what we have to work with. Any recommendations much appreciated!

Thanks,

~Jacy

Here is a link that might be useful: Second Bath Layout Sketch

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Comments (10)

writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Well, you can do it with what you have, but it will be awfully tight. Where I used to live we had a very stupid 60" square powder room downstairs--lots of wasted space, but not enough for a decent full bath. However, some of neighbors did squeeze a small corner-entry shower in there:

{{gwi:1473994}}
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
BTW, the photo isn't deformed, except for a little barrel distortion. The weird white area on the right is the edge of the door.
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wow - thanks for all the great responses feisty68 - does it feel dark or cramped or unfriendly in the kitchen? There is a lot of natural light in all the rooms - good point, I don't want to mess that up. chiefy76 - I read your response to DH - he was like - ya' - did I say that? Robotropolis - thanks - I printed your sketch - many thanks for your time to do that. I am trying to envision how that would look with the change in ceiling height going from 12' in the Family room to 9 ' in the nook - I guess there would just still be the 4' top of the wall there. raee - we use every inch of the dining room - often we fill it up with the Sunday lunch bunch - it could stand to be double that size. We eat on the porch as often as we can for the extra space but the dining does get used a lot. Gooster! Yes I have considered closing off the door to the porch - especially when I thought I was going to duplicate your to "die for" kitchen! That is something that will probably happen - depending on the final plan. elizardbethday - I wish, but there is no place to go with the bottom stairs - there is a half bath just behind the kitchen off the laundry room. I have an onsite meeting tomorrow at 2pm to discuss it all - keep it coming. I think I may need to post pictures of the actual rooms. THANK YOU ALL - I want to hear more of your thoughts, you are a bunch of awesomeness!
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Thanks Lisa_a, and yes, I DO want that kind of help, please! 51.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"> Numbers written in pen on the above layout are for the grainte guys...they refer to counter tops only. So the aisle between the sink/fridge wall and Island is 48", but there is only 39" between the slider wall and island and 39" between entrance from mudroom and Island, so a little tight (but no appliances on either of those sides). There is more than 5 feet between island and sofa, but that is adjustable (we will be buying new sofas). I know the other measurements are hard to make out, so: -Total dimensions of room (kitchen and fam room combined) are 187 1/2" x 366" -sink wall to kitchen entrance will be 76" -doorway from mudroom to kitchen will be 47" (I say "will be because we are expanding the doorway by 7.5") -wall between kitchen entry and family room entry is 134 1/4", we are planning to put the pantry and bar area there (18" deep by 72" wide, combined) -From the sink wall to the sliding glass door is 112 1/2". Right now, the island is 56"x72", so maybe I can shave a few inches off the length? I am trying to fit a microwave as well as two 18" bases (one for recycling, one set of 18" drawers). My KD put in a 27" space for a MW, could I fit one in a 24" space? We only use the MW for small items/ reheating. Maybe I can even do a space saver? I am not picky when it comes to the MW at all, and quite frankly I hate the look of most trim kits...I would be fine with just a shelf, I think. I think the other few inches on the island are for panels? I would LOVE to fit at least 4 seats... This is my new inspiration for the island: What do you think...can I fit something similar? Feel free to be honest, everyone. I can handle it and I am only doing this once! I want to get it right! Thanks so much for all of the help!
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revheck
15 years ago
Wow. Is that even legal?
oruboris
15 years ago
If there's an 11 ft. area adjoining the space that is currently just a walkthrough area, I'd bump it out considerably more than 2.5 ft.

I'd measure carefully and draw a scale plan on graph paper, tell the plumber 'do it this way'.
lee676
15 years ago
at least where i live, 24"w or more is required for the commode
jacy
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow, that gives 'tight' new meaning. Thanks for the photo.

While there is an 11' open area, it's not totally unobstructed. There's a support post about 6' out, in direct line to the existing right wall, so I can't really go too far or we'll have to zig and zag around it. Also, I'd like to use the non-door half of that wall for built-in shelving, which would add another 10"-12" inches. I'm going to block it out with some empty moving boxes for a while and see how we do with foot traffic.

My quote from this plumber was $3,000 for the concrete and rough-in. Does that sound right?
writersblock (9b/10a)
15 years ago
Oh yeah, it's legal. That's a 32 in shower 60-32=28. She had no trouble with inspections (although I think a heavy person would have to stand in the shower to close the door.
mjlb
15 years ago
Not real exciting, but I think this would work with your 6-ft by 7.5' room dimensions.

{{gwi:1473995}}
mjlb
15 years ago
or

{{gwi:1473996}}

This one you might need to increase width 6 inches to allow proper distance between toilet and sink.
jacy
Original Author
15 years ago
Never thought of #2, which (thanks for the inspiration) gives me the idea I could bump out only part of the east wall, leaving intact the northernmost end (due to the soil stack inside the bath and the window about 6" east of the wall. I could build in some shelving or storage in the alcove that remains. I tried to edit your layout in Paint but it's pretty crude. I could even move the sink south a bit. I'm going to try to link the image inline but my HTML skills are pretty rusty.

{{gwi:1473997}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Layout 2 revision

Very small bath layout guidance

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writersblock (9b/10a)

writersblock (9b/10a)

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Very small bath layout guidance

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