Which way to go..?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

An architect has planned to put a small downstairs powder room(toilet and small basin), off the main(only) hallway that runs between the front door and the living area. I don't really like the idea. There will also be no natural light and no opportunity for a skylight . The alternative is to turn an ensuite into a downstairs bathroom. The main bedroom will have an ensuite and WIR. There will be another bathroom upstairs and two more bedrooms. He says there is nothing wrong with it and that I would be better off having the two downstairs bedrooms with an ensuite each. What do you think? Is that what people like? I am not used to this idea, for privacy reasons. It is a weatherboard house.

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MB Design & Drafting

7 years ago

Good to have a bathroom on each storey but you don't need to go overboard with an ens to every bedroom for example, as well as a main bathroom and then a powder room as well.

Each of these wet area's add's up quite quickly.

If it fits (as well as fitting into the budget) then all well and good but the space maybe better for storage rather than another toilet!

Internal toilets need mechanical ventilation only but this ducting needs to be considered as well. I seen some plans from some 'super duper' architect who had overlooked how and where the extraction ducting will go.....

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Comments (8)

bigreader
7 years ago
Post the plan for lots of comments and second opinions.
leafyplaces thanked bigreader
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
7 years ago
Hi there.

To be honest this is normal.

Most new or updated homes have a powder room for guests and it is in the space you have explained and it also adds value.

Take the professional advise as you may regret it later if you don't.
leafyplaces thanked Nelson Interior Stylists
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oklouise
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
i thought the job of the architect was to suggest options to provide what you want in your house.. they may suggest why one option may be better than another (safety, available space, price etc?).and how many bathrooms do you want or need but if your main concern is mainly for light in a windowless room please check out the Solar Skylights (Bunnings sell Arcol and Kambrook have Illume) these skylights do not need a hole in the roof and can be installed downstairs and are very effective and easy to install
leafyplaces thanked oklouise
PRO
Nelson Interior Stylists
7 years ago
This is your home. I think from reading more that you are unhappy with design suggestion so go with your gut and tell your designer that you dont want to do that and he,she can come up with a new idea
leafyplaces thanked Nelson Interior Stylists
haephestus
7 years ago
I have an enclosed powder room downstairs. I think it is fine. It has an extraction fan. It is only used by guests for a few minutes at a time, so I'm not sure natural light and an opening window is critically important (as compared to a regular bathroom where both are very important).

The only thing I wish I had done was include additional soundproofing in the walls! It's fine 99% of the time, but some people have ... different bathroom habits which can be louder than others.

Ultimately, you need to be happy with the design. You're paying the architect, so you should be getting value for money.
leafyplaces thanked haephestus
User
7 years ago
I'm assuming this 2nd bedroom with an ensuite is a guestroom? If so, it would be lovely to have (good luck getting rid of your guests!!). The powder room likewise- oklouise has already suggested some fibre-optic skylights, else just an LED downlight would do the same. I wouldn't be worried about the natural light in a powder room, I'd be more concerned it being directly on a hall. How wide is your hall? You could have valid concerns about privacy.
leafyplaces thanked User
LesleyH
7 years ago
I understand you can still use a solar skylight with a fibre optic cable. Worth asking about.

Which way to go..?

MB Design & Drafting

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bigreader

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