Is understairs shower room too small?

3 years ago

We're finalising our plans for rear extension to make an open plan kitchen/living space and trying to incorporate a downstairs shower room.

We've already had planning approved so architect is finalising drawings for building control. His original plan he had cut into the kitchen where the fridge and tall units are in the first plan to create a 2684mm x 830mm room but had forgotten about accommodating the shower. My partner thought it would be good idea to utilise the space under our stairs which currently accommodates a coat cupboard (where shower tray is in 1st plan) so we asked this. We're not too keen on his revised layout which is shown in 2nd plan and takes even more out of the new kitchen area for the shower tray (not even sure if we'd be able to get a standard tray for that space - approx 1100mm x 500mm) and doesn't really utilise the understair space. My partner thinks we should ask architect to accommodate the layout I have drafted in the first plan. We'd use space saving sink and back to wall toilet so that it's not too snug and we should be able to fit a standard 900mm square tray with a bifold shower door. Do you think this option is workable?

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Comments (6)

Jen
3 years ago
The layout for the shower room in the first of these sketches certainly looks more practical, if there is sufficient headroom under the stairs for the toilet, and providing that there are no drainage issues. I too doubt that a shower width of only 500 or 600mm would be practical.
Looking at your layout, I’d suggest one small change: to change the way door is hung into your new open plan room, so it opens against the wall (and, if necessary, change the position of the light switch accordingly). Otherwise it will be very awkward if you plan to have sofas in the positions sketched.
PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
500 is very very small for a shower ?!
In addition to Jens post above - I’d suggest you don’t have people sitting behind your hob when you are cooking ... too close in this set up and someone will get burned at some point.
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Hi everybody, thanks for all your suggestions. Both Lauren's and Whizywig's look really interesting. I don't think the door move would work in this case though - see below for the space around the room. I really liked the idea of a sort of 'wet room' shower by the bathroom and had suggested that myself to somebody in a bathroom showroom. But I was advised that wet rooms can actually be a pain, because water does spray about the bathroom and in a confined space, that turns our to be really annoying (apparently). I was told I would need to be constantly wiping things down? I wasn't utterly convinced but not sure why - it could very well be correct! I'd also considered a very low bath with a shower over it (makes it easier to use as shower on a routine basis). I liked that idea as the main purpose of having both was to make both very usable - as opposed to shower over bath and that being a bit annoying for daily use as a shower. However, I haven't seen a low bath in usage, so not sure what they are really like!
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Picasso
3 years ago
The architect is obviously not happy with a small shower space and they do tend to feel very constricted. I wonder if you might consider turning it into a wet room, if that is possible? That way you don't have a shower tray or doors, which makes the room feel a great deal more spacious. A friend had a toilet under the stairs where you have it and I was startled by the way you didn't bash your head as you got up from it! I suspect that was partly because it wasn't too far under the stairs so you need to be a bit careful about that. Tip re wet rooms by the way, found on Houzz, is to use those window cleaning vacuums to dry the walls and floor, far better than a mop!
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OnePlan
3 years ago
Swap utility room for a shower room maybe ? Gotta go - should be working !!
Neasa
3 years ago
Yes, this is too small. The idea of a 500mm shower is just ludicrous. How would a normal size person lift their arms to wash hair?! If you can't make it work, then just have a downstairs loo and forget the shower.
Shelly C
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your comments, just wanted to make sure our proposed layout wasn't too impractical before going back to architect to suggest it.

Jen - thanks, I'd missed the door hanging as that's how it currently is but architect has suggested changing to other side as you suggest.

OnePlan - we were debating between us whether to have hob or sink on the island and thought having hob would be the less messy option, but I see your point about seating behind hob, especially as we have a 1 year old so want to make things as child friendly as possible so will rethink this. We did consider having shower room where utility is but want to retain access from front to garden via garage as we don't have external access.

Picasso - thanks will consider whether have it as a wet room instead, we plan to have underfloor heating anyway so hope that might help drying the floors.

Is understairs shower room too small?

Comments (6)

Jen

OnePlan

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Is understairs shower room too small?

Comments (6)

Jen

OnePlan

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Shelly COriginal Author

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Shelly C
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