Replies

1. 
   woodguy99 | Mar 13, 2005 06:57pm | #1

   TMO, are we talking remodel or new space?  Any other constraints you can list or do you just want general advice on how to save space?

   In Europe I've seen some bathrooms that are basically one big shower pan, with a drain in the center of the floor.  That way you can use a really small space.  Other ideas are to use a pedestal sink or pedestal top in a shallow base cabinet, use big mirrors to visually expand the space, use a smaller-sized toilet, use dark paint on two walls (supposedly dark paint makes the walls "recede")....

    

   Mike

1. 
   TMO | Mar 13, 2005 07:03pm | #2

   I have alot of square footage in my downstairs but no bathroom. With a 12 year old daughter and a wife I just can't seem to find enough time in AM. Plus its a pain to walk up stairs everytime.

   So remodel but with minimal constraints.

1. 
   TrimButcher | Mar 14, 2005 12:48am | #15

   You said you've got plenty of square footage. You just need a second, simple, bathroom.

   All this talk of folding sinks, etc. is wasted money, as anything unusual (e.g. tiny) will be more expensive than standard-sized, which is mass-produced by the million. Furthermore, a uniquely tiny bathroom will detract from, not enhance, the resale value of the house. People will see tiny as "cheap", even if you spent extra money to achieve "tiny".

   Put in a 5x8' bathroom (with room to open the door inwards), with a standard tub & fiberglass surround, a standard white toilet and sink. The sink vanity can store towels and stuff. Or, if you prefer tile surround, then downsize a bit and put in only a shower stall. If you go with only a shower in 5x8', then you can add a linen closet if you wish.

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan

1. 
   Shoeman | Mar 14, 2005 02:11pm | #22

   what Trimbutcher said

1. 
   woodguy99 | Mar 14, 2005 02:29pm | #23

   C'mon, where's youse guys sense of adventure?  It's not your money!

2. 
   Shoeman | Mar 30, 2005 02:18am | #27

   Sorry, that is just what I was thinking as reading though this whole thread.

   I have seen lots of functional bathrooms made in tiny areas with standard fixtures - no real magic.

    

3. 
   TMO | Mar 14, 2005 02:30pm | #24

   Thanks everybody. A lot of great input.  

2. 
   ruffmike | Mar 13, 2005 07:08pm | #3

   Take a look at any sailboat head,they can't get much smaller than that.

   Another thing I've seen is a sink that folds up into the wall.They were made for railroad cars and I believe they are called porter sinks.Try a search,they are around and look pretty unique,I've seen one used in an old converted scow.

1. 
   TMO | Mar 13, 2005 07:36pm | #8

   Cool... 

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 13, 2005 07:28pm | #4

   Toilet is a seat in a walk in shower, with the shower head on a slide on wall, with a basin at vanity level. Fits in a 3x4" space

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   BossHog | Mar 13, 2005 07:32pm | #5

   A 3x4" space ???I know you're skinnier 'n me, but you ain't THAT thin.(-:
   Santa Claus has the right idea -- visit people only once a year. [Victor Borge]

2. 
   TMO | Mar 13, 2005 07:34pm | #7

   Ran this past the 'BOSS' said "ewwwww". Me, I'm liking it.

1. 
   ken1putt | Mar 14, 2005 07:14pm | #26

   I know it's sort of a dirty word around here, but I recently spent a couple of hours in the IKEA store in Tempe AZ, and one of the most amazing things I saw was bathroom fittings for the kind of place you're talking about.

   One of the notables was a beautiful china sink that was only stuck out from the wall about 15".

   K-
   -
   If four players are ranged in line across a wide fairway there in no earthly reason why each of them should not be calculating the shot, selecting a club and taking up a stance more or less simultaneously.
   The setting up of a golf shot can be as ponderous as the loading of a Roman siege catapult, with interminable adjustments to range and aim before finally the carcass of a dead horse is hoisted into the middle launcher.
   Lobbing four dead horses over the parapet takes an age, which is how it works in golf if three crews of loaders and launchers sit down and watch while the fourth goes into action." --Peter Dobereiner

3. 
   calvin | Mar 13, 2005 07:39pm | #11

   Sounds like you have the room but wish to use it wisely.  A corner sink or toilet allow a narrower space for the rest of the fixtures.  Here's a corner toilet in a space with a tub and pedestal sink. Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

4. 
   haveasafeday | Mar 14, 2005 04:11am | #16

   Piffin

   Have you seen this combination: toilet in shower. I have rental with 1/2 bath that has 2x4 foot closet that i would love to make into a shower. Have been considering moving toilet and sink plumbing to allow for tiny 30 inch shower. What code issues may arise with toilet in shower?

   Larry

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 14, 2005 04:40am | #17

   Seen one? I OWNED ONE> Was a 1952 mobile home AKA trailerI would not want one again, but it is possible. Can't testify to any code issues. Defionitely wouldn't do for ADA but private residence - why not? Tile it all with a membrane backup. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   Sphere | Mar 13, 2005 07:32pm | #6

   You mean the shower is NOT a toilet and a sink..?  Ut oh..

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi

1. 
   TMO | Mar 13, 2005 07:37pm | #9

   Don't tell anybody but recently I have been caught using the sink in the garage.

4. 
   4Lorn1 | Mar 13, 2005 07:38pm | #10

   You might do well to look into two genres of bathrooms which don't immediately come to mind when designing a home: sail boats and prisons. Both have very limited space and a need for durable units that get the most out of a small space.

   Typically the prison units have a toilet and sink in one compact unit. These are also virtually indestructible and come in a handsome stainless finish.

   The 'bathroom' on a small boat usually has a toilet, a flip up sink unit and a shower all in the same space. You can sit on the WC with the lid closed, or not if you prefer, and take a shower. Standing and taking a shower usually involves straddling the WC. If the shower incorporates a hand sprayer it can greatly speed cleaning as these design drain well, if only into the bilges.

   Not sure how this will interact with inspectors or ADA requirements but perhaps some of these ideas can be incorporated.

5. 
   MisterT | Mar 13, 2005 10:14pm | #12

   Go to Portsmouth, NH.

   (Physically go there.)

   you can go on a walk thru tour of the USS Albacore.

   A 1950's era deisel-electric Submarine.

   aboard the Albacore is a fully functional, all Stainless steel, bathroom.

   roughly the size of a phone booth.

    

   Mr T

   I can't afford to be affordable anymore

6. 
   MarineEngineer | Mar 13, 2005 10:40pm | #13

   This is the sink in the bathroom of the co-op I am purchasing.

   Marine Engineer

7. 
   KaneoheBay | Mar 13, 2005 10:46pm | #14

   First trip to Japan I stayed in a new "business man's" hotel. It catered to business men on trips. The bathroom was about 4' X 6'. It contained a W/C, lavatory, and a combo soaking tub/shower. So further save space, the door opened outward which is typical for Japan. Even the entry doors open outward.

   butch

8. 
   PhillGiles | Mar 14, 2005 07:27am | #18

   They sell a lot of really compact units in Switzerland. Take a pass on the Far East stuff: expensive, tough to get, and slightly mystifying to use. Best source would probably be in the RV market - maybe check the web for an RV plumbing supplier near you.

   .
   Phill Giles
   The Unionville Woodwright
   Unionville, Ontario
9. 
   BruceT999 | Mar 14, 2005 08:44am | #19

   Whatever you decide on dimensions and fixtures, by all means equip your compact bathroom with a pocket-slider door.  That way you don't have the problem of the door obstructing wall space.  

   Just don't try to mount a robe hook on the door :)

   BruceT

10. 
    traini | Mar 14, 2005 09:35am | #20

    Re Small bathroom

    I have done a number of small basement bathrooms that use the entire floor as a shower pan. This is easy to do on a basement floor. Some items to watch for when this method is used.

    #1 Entire floor need to be a gentle slope to drain under shower head.Floor tiles need to be no larger then 4x4 to sit on sloped floor.

    #2 You must keep the floor level around the toilet so toilet will sit .

    #3 Put all electrical switches etc. on the outside of the room.

    #4 For the shower curtain rod we use 1/2" copper and hang it from the ceiling.

    #5 We have also used glass panels to divide the space.

    George

11. 
    danski0224 | Mar 14, 2005 01:49pm | #21

    The shower steup in Saudi Arabia consisted of a walk in space the size of a basic American tub with a drain cutout about the size of an American toilet seat opposite the showerhead end. The area around the drain cutout was not raised, so there was nothing to sit on.

    I thought that was the neatest thing, combining the shower area and toilet.

    I do not know how well such a space would go over here in the USA. Certainly unconventional, but it saves space and conserves both water and toilet tissue. I suppose a bidet type setup could be incorporated for non-shower use. ADA compliance would be an issue.

    The setup was in a health club area of a Saudi military base I visited when I was stationed there during Desert Storm.

    I would stick with the basic 5' x 8' small full bath space with a tub (smaller with just a shower). Probably much easier to sell the home in the future without unconventional fixtures, as others here have mentioned.

12. 
    Mooney | Mar 14, 2005 03:04pm | #25

    What TRIMBUTCHER  said, plus;

    I understand this will be your bathroom. Stand up in those britches and build you a bathroom man. Ive built several on a 4x8 peice of plywood . My own bathroom is 4x8, which has a 4 ft shower.

    Tim Mooney

13. 
    ponytl | Mar 30, 2005 02:53am | #28

    I've seen em on ebay... and once in person... stainless steel sink/toilet combo... usually found in jails...

    a friend gets you out of jail... a true friend is sit'n beside you say'n... "damn that was fun"

    pony

14. 
    DanH | Mar 30, 2005 04:10am | #29

    For awhile my son was living with 6 other college folks in an apartment with a single bathroom. The bathroom was so small that the side of the toilet tank was actually set into the wall about 4 inches, so that the bowl could be right up against the wall.