A half-bath, or powder room, refers to a bathroom that has a sink and a toilet, but no tub or shower. Many larger homes have this space built in and is usually located in a public area to make it more accessible to guests. The design of a half-bath tends to vary. Some are extremely minimalistic, with only a pedestal sink and toilet, while others come with storage cabinets, decorative towel racks and other accessories. Another fixture in most powder rooms is a mirror, which allows guests to check their appearance, while making the usually small space appear larger.
Adding a half-bath in your home seems like it would be a waste when you already have one that’s perfectly lovely, functional and equipped with all the features a main bathroom should have. But you may find that a powder room actually offers plenty of benefits that make it a worthwhile investment every time.
- Greater Convenience
Having a powder room can be incredibly convenient to you and your family because it eases the traffic jam to the bathroom in the mornings. An extra toilet and sink means people won’t have to hold anything in as they wait for another family member to finish their shower in the main bathroom. With the increased comfort and convenience offered by a powder room, rushing to get ready for the day won’t seem like such a battle.
- Improved Accessibility
If your home has multiple floors, adding a half-bath can also improve safety and accessibility inside your home. This means elderly family members or those with limited mobility won’t have to climb up or down the stairs every time they need to use the toilet. Like a full bathroom, a half-bath can be equipped with additional safety features, such as grab bars, to make it even more accessible. A trusted bath renovation expert like Ritco Group can tell you more about this.
- Better Privacy
A powder room gives your party guests a space to use while keeping your own bathroom private. This means people won’t be climbing stairs or tramping through bedrooms to use the bathroom. Given how most people keep medications and personal care items inside their master bathroom, having a half-bath can ensure peace of mind by preventing the nosier type of guest from delving into their host’s personal life.
- Worry-Free Maintenance
You already know just how time-intensive cleaning a master bathroom can be, so why would you add another bathroom to your home? The reasons are greater privacy and convenience – plus the fact that a half-bath takes less time and effort to clean since it only includes a toilet and sink. This is especially true if you’re mindful about the surface materials you’re using for your half-bath. Consult a premier home remodeling expert on which tough and low-maintenance materials you can use for your half-bathroom.
Design Considerations When Having a Half-Bath Installed
Adding a powder room seems like it would be straightforward since it’s just a room with a toilet and sink. But like most home upgrades, it will take some careful planning to ensure the space can effectively meet your needs. Here are a few design considerations to keep in mind:
- Guests usually gather in the kitchen and living room, so place the half-bath between these two spaces for greater accessibility. If not, any other central location will do. A home office without a bedroom is one good example or the negative space underneath the stairway. To make the half-bath more private, make sure to tuck its door out of sight when possible. But you don’t actually have to limit the half-bath to guest’s use. The mudroom, work-out area, garage, loft or basement are also prime locations for a half-bath.
- While a powder room is all about convenience, you should still keep comfort in mind. You should be able to move inside the space without bumping into anything. The bare minimum is 20 square feet, but what’s more practical is 36 square feet. Making the powder room too large defeats its purpose, however, so avoid devoting too much space for it. To accurately determine just how much space your powder room should have, turn to experienced local contractors like us. We’re not just your local roofing companies, but your trusted bathroom remodeling specialists as well.
- The toilet and sink makes up a half-bath, but the space will still require crucial components like:
- Sturdy door
- Mirror
- Exhaust fan for getting rid of lingering odors and excess moisture
- An appropriate, low-maintenance flooring material
- Towel rack with hand towel and washcloth
- Trash can
- Soap dish and antibacterial soap
- Toilet paper dispenser (with toilet paper)
- Electrical outlets
- You are free to decorate the half-bath however you like. Walls can be painted or papered, and floors can be plain or fancy. Do you want its color scheme and style to match those of your master bathroom? Go for it. You can also take a bolder approach and make it the odd one out in your home, design-wise. If you have a whimsical or unconventional bathroom style, palette or trend you’ve always wanted to try, the half-bath allows for a perfect empty canvas.
- If you want to add windows to your half-bath, have them installed further up the wall so you can benefit from natural light without compromising privacy. You can turn to the reliable new construction and home remodeling experts on ways to integrate windows effectively into the space.
- Those who aren’t a huge fan of vibrant colors can choose a light or neutral-colored scheme for their powder room. This not only makes the room look timeless, it also creates a more open and spacious feel. You can augment this effect further by adding a large mirror on one wall. Looking to add more life to your powder room? Fit small potted plants inside the space to keep it fresh.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ritco Group is the trusted expert in roofing new construction. But if you need us to add half-bath or powder room in your home to increase its convenience and functionality, we’ll be more than happy to take on the project. We proudly serve the areas in and around Franklin, Brentwood and Columbia, TN. Call us today at (931) 381-0175, or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!