Use mirrors and lighting to brighten up a basement bathroom.
A bathroom is a convenient addition to a finished basement that alleviates bathroom traffic in the main area of the house. Laying out a bathroom can be a challenge under any circumstances, and a basement bathroom presents a special challenge. Before installing bathroom fixtures, plan carefully by consulting with the local building inspector to find out about building code requirements.
Instructions
1. Survey your basement to decide on the location and size of the bathroom. Remember that the bathroom must be close to plumbing and electrical wiring. To solve this problem, position the bathroom directly underneath a bathroom on the first floor of the home. If this is not feasible, place the bathroom as close as possible to that spot.
2. Consult with a plumber to find out about toilet options that are suitable for your basement bathroom. Find out if you require a sewage ejection system or a similar system that liquefies waste and pumps it to a sewer line.
3. Use graph paper to draw the basement and planned bathroom area to scale by using 1 inch for 1 foot. Sketch in the elements you wish to include, such as a toilet, vanity, shower or tub. Make sure to allow for space to access these bathroom fixtures. Lay out the bathroom with a pleasant view when the door is opened. An interesting bowl sink or super-contemporary shower with chrome jets provides a more aesthetically pleasing view than a toilet or bidet.
4. Use a one-wall plumbing layout for a small space. For this layout design, there is one "wet," or plumbed, wall to accommodate the sink, tub, shower and toilet. If you have more space, a multiple-wall plumbing layout can provide more interest. A corridor layout features the sink, toilet and vanity on one wall and the tub on the opposite wall. A U-shaped bathroom layout with plumbing on three walls is open and spacious but requires a large, square bathroom.
5. Select lighting carefully to make your basement bathroom a bright, inviting space. Basement bathrooms generally do not have natural light, so lighting options like fluorescent fixtures are needed to make sure the area is well lit.
6. Visit a bathroom showroom and select a sink and vanity. Some vanities come with a top, built-in sink and backsplash. Include storage space for towels and other bathroom supplies when making a selection. Buy a prefabricated shower and place it against a wall.
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