Rationale for installing a toilet in your utility room - and the key considerations for a successful setup
Ready to transform that hidden, utilitarian space into the ultimate multitasker? We're talking about a utility room that doubles as a convenient loo - and it's all the rage! Nothing like smart design to make the most of your limited square footage, am I right?
Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, shares his valuable insights: "A utility room playing double duty as a bathroom can be incredibly practical, especially in compact homes where bathrooms are scarce. I've seen clients appreciate the convenience during those hectic family moments. Just ensure good ventilation and use soft, relaxing lighting to create a cozy ambiance even in the smallest rooms."
Let's dive into everything you need to know for this hybrid space, from plumbing and layout tips to design hacks that make it both functional and stylish.
Plumbing, Ventilation, and Electrical Essentials
Combining a utility room and toilet isn't all fun and games; you'll need the infrastructure to handle the task. Here's how to get those critical details right:
Plumbing & Electrics
Much like adding a bathroom to any other room, your new WC needs connection to a soil pipe and appropriate fall for drainage. If you're not near existing plumbing, get ready for this to be a significant part of the building costs. Washing machines and basins also require hot, cold, and waste lines, so group everything along one wall wherever possible.
Don't forget the electrics! Any work in a wet zone must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. That means positioning sockets safely away from splash zones and bringing in a qualified electrician to design and sign off the layout.
Layout & Privacy
The best combined spaces are thoughtfully zoned, so tuck the toilet away - behind a stud wall, tall cabinetry, or in its own cubicle. Even in small rooms, the layout should avoid direct sightlines from the hallway or kitchen to the loo.
For windowless rooms, internal glazing can be a clever way to steal light, but for privacy, consider fluted or reeded glass, or even a simple curtain. In narrow utility spaces, pocket or sliding doors work brilliantly, offering flexibility without eating into the floorplan.
Think about how the space will work day to day. Can someone throw on a wash while someone else nips in to use the loo? If not, it might be worth rethinking the setup.
Ventilation
With both a toilet and laundry appliances working overtime, you'll need an exhaust fan that can tackle moisture, odors, and heat all at once. A model with a humidity sensor is a smart choice. In cases where internal glazing or doors are used, airflow becomes even more critical – consider adding a door vent or leaving a small gap under the door for natural ventilation.
Designing a Cohesive, Stylish Space
Utility rooms don't have to be drab and dull. In fact, a considered, cohesive approach to design works best for dual-purpose spaces like these.
"A utility room should feel just as thoughtfully considered as the rest of the home," says Alex Main from The Main Company. "When designing a hybrid utility and toilet, we recommend opting for similar materials and colors. This creates a continuous sense of cohesion and means neither room feels like a completely separate space."
Perfect that flooring, finishes, or even hardware choices to visually unite the two spaces. Tall cabinets, clever storage solutions, and ample lighting can help elevate your utility room with toilet from purely functional to feeling like a natural extension of your home.
Happy remodeling!
- A utility room, functioning as a bathroom, can offer great practicality in compact homes with limited bathrooms.
- Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, notes that good ventilation and soft lighting can create a cozy ambiance in small rooms.
- To transform a utility room into a hybrid space, plumbing and electrical essentials must be considered, including connections to a soil pipe and appropriate fall for drainage.
- Any work in a wet zone must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations for safety.
- When zoning the combined space, tuck the toilet away behind walls, tall cabinetry, or in its own cubicle for privacy.
- Lay out the space to facilitate simultaneous use of the toilet and utilities, if possible.
- For ventilation, consider an exhaust fan with a humidity sensor and ensure proper airflow, especially with internal glazing or doors.
- In the design phase, aim for a cohesive approach, using similar materials, colors, and finishes in the utility room and toilet for a unified look.
- Tall cabinets, clever storage solutions, and ample lighting can help elevate the utility room with toilet, making it feel like a natural extension of the home.
- The fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden sectors offer a variety of ideas for styling and decorating the hybrid utility room and toilet.
- Keep in mind the lifetime costs, including maintenance, repairs, and potential future renovations when planning the setup and design of the utility room that doubles as a bathroom.
