Hi All, this is a reality check. I am taking a break from working for others and am completely redoing our own master bathroom. It is a modest size, about 8′-0″ by 7′-3″. In it will be a toilet, single bowl lav on a 52″ vanity, and a shower stall. It is only accessible through the master bedroom.
I had the idea that it would both feel and actually BE more spacious if the door swung out into the bedroom instead of into the bathroom. The current door swings into the bathroom, blocking the only existing window in the process. If it swings the other way, only a blank wall is covered. The door is closed while we sleep, so no issue there either way. I have framed for another small window in the dry part of the walk-in shower enclosure, but the windows are small and give much more light when unobstructed.
Anyhow, the DW said that she didn’t like the outswinging door because it was “weird.” Any comments would be appreciated. I think she is put off because it is unconventional, but perhaps I am blind to some practical reason behind her bias. If the door opened to a corridor I wouldn’t even consider outswinging it, but it opens 90 degrees to a blank wall. I’ll need to hang the door in a week or so.
Thanks, Bill
Replies
The master bath in the house from which we just moved had an outswinging door. Because the bath was tiny, the outswinging door made a lot of sense. If it makes sense I would do it. Of course if my wife hates it, it does not make sense by definition.
As far as I know there are no bathroom door police. :^) BUT, if mama ain't happy, then nobody is happy.
Don't I know it! My last customers had a saying that I adopted: "Happy wife - happy life."However, my wife is very rational for her gender, and will be open to convincing if I can make the sale.Bill
bi fold doors?
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Of course, you could always try a door that swings both ways. Makes it harder for the latch, though.
I once had an apartment so small I removed all the interior doors and stacked them in the corner. Freed up a lot of space. You could run that idea past her. Okay, I did leave the bathroom door on.
Pocket door?
Nope, plumbing and wiring where the pocket would go, plus we mostly detest them. Swing doors are easier and simpler.Bill
It would not be too weird to have the door swing into the bedroom if the bath is only off the master bed. It would be comparable to a closet door. But it will take up space somewhere.
Consider which you like best for the hinge side. If the door opens against a wall and fully reveals the bathroom when fully or partly open, it will open the bedroom and invite you into the bath. May create a more spacious feel overall. If you set the door so it hides the bathroom when half-open, it will be more of a private space and spill less light into the bedroom which could be desireable.
There is nothing inherently 'weird' about an outswinging bathroom door. It is uncommon, but that's all. Just like redheads are less common than brunettes. Ask DW if she thinks redheads are 'weird'....
I sort of specialize in designing max punch in minimum space, so quite a few of my bathroom designs are so small that an outswing door becomes a necessity if the whole design is going to work. In fact, one of the two bathrooms in my own house has an outswinger. I have never had a guest even so much as remark on it.
As a last consideration, in many families master bathroom doors don't get closed all that often (less modesty between hubby & wife than between the parents and the kids for use of the downstairs bathroom), so the door is 'stored' in the open position more often than not. If that's the case in your household, it makes sense to design your door swing so the door is stored in the position in which it takes up the least valuable wall space. Covering a window doesn't fit this requirement. QED....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
one advantage to the outswing door that I learned the hard way was safety. I redid my parents bathroom this past summer and hung a standard inswing door,didn't see a problem until dad lost his balance and fell while in the bathroom, he was wedged between the door and the toilet so mom couldn't open it . Little brother lives close to them ,came over with his cordless and cut the door in half and got the old man out.
Up until that happened I always thought outswing dooors on a bathroom were strange , not anymore.
Good point about safety and someone falling blocking the door if it swings in. ADA accessable bathrooms require outswinging doors.
Could the door be kept as an inswing, but be the opposite hand?
Form should follow function. I wish this edict was followed more by designers who don't give a thought to practicality. I think in your case this is a strong argument not only in terms of maximizing the usable space but in terms of the safety issue of an inswinging door possibly being blocked in such a small room.
Are doors required for bathrooms? What if you just left it open? Of course if there is a direct view of the throne from the bed, then that wouldn't really be desirable.
Just finished a trim job where the powder room had an outswinging door. Also the door to the throne was outswinging.
I dont see anything wrong with a door that swings out if there isnt a better solution.
I dont know how all you guys on here deal with a wife that has to be "pleased" Just do it the way that makes sense to you. :)
Doug
How long's it been since your divorce? Is the wife enjoying the house? Does she really need that pickup you used to own?
Pussywhiped?
You dont have to answer
Thank you to all who replied. The safety angle never occurred to me, and Dinosaur's thing about the door being parked to block the least valuable space is also very good.To answer the other queries, the hinges have to go on the exterior wall side, or else the open door is majorly in the way. Pocket door is out, see my earlier reply. Bifolds are too fiddly, they won't stop much sound, and DW hates them. We definitely want a door to solve issues of light and sound. Curtain won't do the job, either.Thanks again, it takes a village.Bill
Just out of curiosity, what does DW stand for? I've seen She Who Must Be Obeyed before, what is DW?
Johnny
DW can mean a few things, depends on the conversation.
Drywall
DeWalt
Dear Wife, as in this case
Forgot Dishwasher, but hell that can be the same as Dearwife!
Edited 7/21/2005 10:31 pm ET by Doug@es
Well, you could always use a tambor door.
LOL
Must be mine isn't the norm. She decided what finish the kitchen cabinets were and chose the flooring. That was it for the whole house. I occasionally asked her opinion but rarely got one. Kitchen or bath design? No way.
We've been here since '94. The replacement house will correct almost nothing from here. Mostly just bigger. She's still trusting me. PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I would have change my door too but wife said no. (maybe because it makes sence)