New Stud Wall in Bathroom + New Window

2 years ago

Hi all

Probably going to post a few times here as we're currently thinking of how we want our new house to be renovated. We've hit the bathroom...

The new bathroom is a decent size, about 4m in length and 3.75 in width. So a lot of space to fill. What we don't really want is just empty space, for us it's not practical. In addition we like the idea of having the bath/shower in a separate room to the basin. Makes life easier for those who want to use the basin whilst someone is in the shower etc.

So we've drawn up the attached as a possible idea. However, we appreciate dreams and reality are never close so wanted thoughts on the feasibility of this, from a regulatory perspective and practicality too.

To summarise we wish to do the following:

- Create two rooms, separated by a stud wall and new door.

- The near side room is where we keep the basin and washing machine

- We install a new window + extraction in the near side room

- The far side room is where the bath/shower is

- The far side room will be a wet room

I understand that many will be offended by the thought of having a washing machine upstairs. There is the risk that if it leaks, then you could have a big problem in the room below. This is understood. I also understand that regulations exist that say electrics should be a certain distance from the bathroom/water. But if we're creating a new room, does this mean we're free of that constraint?

Finally, the new window. This is a Victorian house, built circa 1900. Not listed or in a conservation area.

Sorry for such a long post. Appreciate any advice/help here.

Thank you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Jonathan
2 years ago
There is a way your electrician can deliver your plan to regulation. Furthermore I think there would be no debate about an upstairs laundry room if we lived in North America where it is the norm and frankly since most of your laundry is created upstairs it makes sense to me to have the washer there. You may want to invest in a rubber waterproof floor for the laundry area and anti vibration mats. Personally I don’t think you need a window just ventilation as most dryers in particular will make the space humid.
Jonathan
2 years ago
However I think the plan to divide the space seems dated- I don’t think it’s as big as you do and dividing it creates two spaces that are modest. And the plan is conflicted too as the wet room/bath area you have suggested is reminiscent of a high end hotel but the sink next to your washer seems like a student house. Also high end hotels have a daily cleaner to deal with the wet bath. Plus it’s not a good use of the space as the bath and shower will only use half of the room you are creating. Plus your plan seems to be missing a WC.

I assume there is another WC nearby in which case I would add a basin to that space and then add a WC to this new bathroom so you have enough room for two adults. In my opinion the way to make a bathroom as high end as possible is to give yourselves plenty of storage so that it’s easy to keep tidy and uncluttered.
Related Discussions
New bathroom
Q
Comments (11)
I am a tiler and I used all kind of tiles and mosaics. Best advice ,as your corner shower will be around 800/800mm ,get porcelain tiles . In London,European Heritage sells porcelain with carrara marble print (white and greish veins gloss shiny finish or other color options) at 795/795mm. That would mean about 3 tiles per wall. around 240 the whole set of tiles with only 2 horizontal grout lines. For best results,use Mapei grout(you can find it even at B&Q nowdays. Add black matt finish taps and mixers and you have a relaxing colour mix.
...See More
NEW BUILD: Master bathroom, Ensuite & Family bathroom
Q
Comments (8)
I'm glad that they are all different from each other, with a bit of character in each. I'm working on 5 bathrooms in a house now - the client instructed me because her architect designed every one of the 5 bathrooms with the same colours and fittings.www.saralevydesigns.com
...See More
Bathroom redesign - new ideas please!
Q
Comments (3)
Hi, the shower cubicle is 1300 x900mm, making the laundry cupboard around 1m x 1.3m, it takes two 60cm IKEA units and a filler piece. The sink in these pictures is in a metre wide unit, but in other drawings I've popped it in an 80cm unit. Realistically, there is only a 40cm diagonal gal between the toilet and the sink to walk through to get to the shower, and the distance between bath and sink is 57cm. I was anticipating having the shower concealed in the stud wall, so assumed there would be a need for pipes. I hope this makes sense, adding dimensions to the plan is tricky, I'm playing around with sketchup to try a get more precise idea of door sizes and architrave. Thank you!
...See More
new Bathroom wall tiles uses
Q
Comments (2)
Hi I am looking to remove the existing tiles on the wall and the photo shown off the floor which LTV luxury vinyl which I will be having. What luxury vinyl will look good? What wall tiles will look great?
...See More
Jonathan
2 years ago
alternative layout suggestion
Jonathan
2 years ago
Pictures of laundry cupboards for inspiration
Devlin
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Jonathan. Thank you for taking the time to write your responses. The inspiration for this proposed design actually comes from my wife who is Japanese. In Japan, a typical "bathroom" consists of different separate spaces: the toilet, a cloak/washroom space that contains the basin, and a washing machine, and finally the wet room where you bath/shower.

Granted, this isn't Japan and you can't just lift and shift an idea and expect it to work here. So we're still in an exploratory phase. We're certainly not precious about it.

I respectfully disagree that having sink next to the washer feels like a student house. Hopefully my response has put a little more context into this.

Having laundry cupboards may be a potential compromise, and your proposed design is clearly simpler.

Lots to think about...
Jonathan
2 years ago
Alternative layout to honor the Japanese heritage but with a UK sensibility
bbsb_2
2 years ago
Hello Devlin,

I think your venture sounds very interesting – i visited Tokyo a few years ago and found it absolutely fascinating.

I see from your plan you have separated the 'wet area' from the 'washing machine/ basin area' by a door – that works perfectly well. There is no problem with electrics since the areas are separated – the shower room will have its own pull-string to work the shower room lights.

Your design also talks about a new window – that is fine too. A builder will be able to sort that out for you and put a lintel above the top of the window. You might want to start thinking about what you want for the floor finish – same floor finish for both rooms?

Last week I bought a book (£15.99) which I think your would find very useful. It is user friendly, written by an architect and called: Home Improvements ideas from an architect.

Details as follows: https://www.keithjamesclarke.com

It has a Case Study, CS7, which inlcludes the design of a bathroom, details of stud walls and alot of really useful staff about home improvements.

I hope you find my thoughts useful... good luck with your project.

Best wishes,

BBSB_2
Devlin
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Jonathan and BBSB_2

This is the essence of internet forums - friendly, helpful suggestions that can actually make some difference. Thank you!

Going to mull this over with the wife.