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Text © 2012 by Scott Gibson

Illustrations © 2012 by The Taunton Press, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Pp

The Taunton Press, Inc.,

63 South Main Street, PO Box 5506

Newtown, CT 06470-5506

e-mail: tp@taunton.com

Editor: Carolyn Mandarano

Copy editor: Nina Rynd Whitnah

Indexer: Cathy Goddard

Interior design: Carol Petro

Layout: David Giammattei

Illustrator: Christine Erikson

Cover Photographers: (Front cover, clockwise from top): © Gridley + Graves, design: Craig Kettles, C designs, www.c-designs.biz; © Dulcie Horowitz; © Eric Roth; © Mark Lohman; © Eric Roth; (Back cover, clockwise from top): courtesy of The Kohler Co.; © Tria Giovan; © Tria Giovan; ©

Ken Gutmaker; © Mark Lohman; © Karen Melvin

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gibson, Scott, 1951-

New bathroom ideas that work / Scott Gibson.

p. cm.

Includes index.

E-Book ISBN 978-1-62113-846-4

1. Bathrooms--Remodeling. I. Title.

TH4816.3.B37G533 2012

690’.42--dc23

2011049360

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The following names/manufacturers appearing in New Bathroom Ideas That Work are trademarks: BioGlassSM, BioLet®, Eco-Top™, EnviroSLAB™, Halogená®, Hatbox®, IceStoneSM, Nuheat™,

PaperStone®, Schluter®, Schluter®-Ditra, Vetrazzo®

This book would not have been possible without the architects, designers, and other

a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s

professionals who graciously took time to participate. Thanks to Debbie Wiener, Mary Jo

Peterson, Erica Westeroth, Alan Asarnow, Rosemarie Rossetti, Terry McKeown, Cynthia

Liebrock, David Wagner, Debbi Cleary, Eliza Hart, Jean Larsen, Amy Blackstone and

Krieger + Associates, Julia Zander and Russ Hamlet, Maraya Droney, Rick Skalak, Anne

Callender, John Whipple, Belinda Marzi, and Terry McKeown of Ulrich Inc.

To the many photographers whose work is represented in these pages, thank you.

Bathrooms are not the easiest spaces to photograph.

At The Taunton Press, my thanks and appreciation to Carolyn Mandarano, the editor

of both this book and the first edition of Bathroom Ideas That Work in 2007, and Katy Binder, the photo editor. Thanks also to the able design and production staff at Taunton, people who always make the most of the material they are given and whose extra efforts

are truly appreciated.

c o n t e n t s

Introduction 5

chapter 3

Tubs and Showers 70

chapter 1

Planning Your

Bathtubs ......................... 74

Bathroom 6

the essentials

Bathtubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Putting Ideas into Practice ........ 12

Freestanding Tubs ............... 84

putting it all together

putting it all together

Getting the Most from a Tiny Space . . . . . . . 14

Borrowing Space Allows a Bath to Grow . . . . 86

the essentials

Showers ......................... 88

Hiring the Right People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Making Design Accessible ........ 20

Combination Tub/Showers ....... 92

Showerheads .................... 96

putting it all together

Handicapped-Accessible with an

putting it all together

Old-Fashioned Feel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Finding Space under the Eaves . . . . . . . . . . 98

Managing Energy and

chapter 4

Water Costs ...................... 30

Floors, Walls &

chapter 2

Ceilings 100

Fixtures 32

Floors .......................... 104

Sinks ............................ 34

the essentials

Countertops ..................... 46

Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

the essentials

putting it all together

Countertop Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Making an Old Space Feel Modern . . . . . . 110

putting it all together

Walls and Ceilings .............. 118

Grand Lifestyle Meets Modern Realities . . . . 52

the essentials

Faucets .......................... 54

Walls and Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Toilets ........................... 60

putting it all together

Toilets That Save Water .......... 64

Vegas-Inspired Wild Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

putting it all together

Urinals and Bidets ............... 66

Borrowing Light from the Room Next Door 132

putting it all together

Better, Not Bigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Floors, Wal s and Ceilings

1

2 Ideas that work: BATHROOMS

chapter 5

chapter 7

Lighting 134

Storage 168

the essentials

Borrowing Ideas from the

Lightbulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Kitchen ......................... 172

putting it all together

putting it all together

Creating Multiple Sources of Light . . . . . . 140

Unifying Design with Light and Wood . . . . 174

Ambient Lighting ............... 142

Cabinetry ....................... 176

Task Lighting ................... 144

the essentials

Accent Lighting ................. 148

Cabinet Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

putting it all together

chapter 6

A Design that’s All about the Details . . . . . . 188

Heating, Cooling &

Medicine Cabinets .............. 190

Ventilation 152

chapter 8

putting it all together

Finishing Touches 194

Making Two Bathrooms from One . . . . . . . 156

Fans ............................ 158

Paint ........................... 198

the essentials

the essentials

Bathroom Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Heaters ......................... 164

putting it all together

Bath with a View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

the essentials

Wallpaper ...................... 202

Heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

putting it all together

Window Coverings .............. 204

A 19th-Century Split Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

putting it all together

Connecting Spaces with Light and Air . . . . 206

Resources 210

Credits

211

Index

214

3

4

i n t r o d u c t i o n

The first edition of Bathroom

necessity for many of us. Supplies of clean

Ideas That Work was published in 2007,

water are under increasing pressure in some

and since that time, there have been two

parts of the country and will continue to be in

significant changes in the world of residential

high demand for agriculture, recreation, and

construction. First, the bottom fell out of the

industry as well as houses. The same can be

U.S. housing market; second, green building

said of energy that’s used to heat and cool our

has become much more widely practiced.

homes—it’s more expensive and harder to get.

Both of these have changed the way we look at

There are, however, many bathroom products

bathroom design.

on the market that save significant amounts of

water or energy without sacrificing creature

The painful contraction of the housing industry

comforts. You simply need to ask the right

has meant fewer construction jobs and lower

questions before making a product selection.

property values for many homeowners. That,

no doubt, has discouraged many people from

Resource conservation also encourages the

selling their homes until the market improves.

use of durable building materials, especially

At the same time, the situation has provided

those that can be found locally. How does this

an incentive for homeowners to repair and

drive bathroom design? By putting a premium

renovate what they already have.

on fixtures and materials that don’t have to be

replaced often. What this means is that ceramic

According to the 2011 cost vs. value study

tile starts to look more attractive than sheet vinyl;

published by Hanley Wood’s Remodeling

acrylic or cast-iron showers and tubs are better

magazine, a midrange bathroom remodel will

bets than fiberglass/gelcoat and porcelain steel.

earn back 64 percent of its cost at resale. An

upscale remodel returned only 57 percent.

Houses that are better insulated and more tightly

That suggests money for bathroom additions

sealed also put a premium on effective ventilation,

and renovations should be spent wisely, not on

not only to keep indoor air quality high but also

trendy upgrades but on high-quality building

to protect the building from an accumulation

materials and fixtures that will hold their value.

of moisture in wall and ceiling cavities. And, as

the need for good ventilation has increased, so

The other development has been the rise

has the number of products that are available to

of green building, a much different way of

consumers.

looking at design and construction than in

the past. Among the most important values of

Bathrooms serve the same fundamental needs

green building is sustainability, which puts a

they always have. That’s not going to change.

special emphasis on conserving water, energy,

But the nuts and bolts of how bathrooms

and other natural resources. For a variety of

are designed and built are different and will

reasons, conservation is becoming a practical

continue to evolve.

5

Planning

Smart bathroom design incorporates strategies

that save water and energy

You

r

and includes features that allow

homeowners to age in place.

Bathroom

Contemporary American bathrooms bear little

resemblance to the small, plain spaces that many

baby boomers grew up with. Just as houses—on

average—have increased in size, so have most bath-

rooms. As a culture, we expect more than we used

to: bigger, better, and more useful.

If you walked into a new master bath and found

a sink, a toilet, and a 60-in. tub that doubled as a

shower, it might seem slightly inadequate even if it

had absolutely no functional shortcomings. It’s not

unusual now to find both a large soaking tub and a

walk-in shower along with a double-sink vanity in a

master bath. You’ll find bathrooms with fireplaces,

bathrooms with chandeliers, and bathrooms with

upholstered furniture and heavy drapes. Surfaces

might be tile, stone, or a man-made synthetic that

looks just like stone. Not everyone has a budget to

splurge on those kinds of luxuries, yet even when

designs are more modest by necessity, there still is a

broad range of plumbing fixtures and building mate-

rials to choose from.

Many of the decisions you’ll make about bathroom

design come from how the space will be used: Is it

a powder room on the first floor used primarily by

guests? A bath attached to an upstairs guest room?

A child’s bath? A master bath? A bathroom that

will be used by someone with diminished physical

capabilities? These are all key questions because

they guide the choice of materials, the allocation of

space, and the selection of color, lighting, and other

design elements.

It doesn’t make much sense to choose delicate,

water-sensitive materials for a bathroom to be used

by young children. Give them a space where they

can splash in the tub without worrying whether

the floor gets wet. Conversely, there aren’t many

youngsters who would send up a red flag when the

vanity countertop is plastic laminate rather than

Italian marble.

8 Planning Your Bathroom

facing page top • Wood paneling and trim details give this

above • When space allows, a custom shower and separate tub make a

powder room a formal feel, but a large mirror prevents the

complete bathroom. This one gets extra light from a bank of windows set

dark colors from feeling confining.

high enough in the wall to preserve privacy.

facing page bottom • A large soaking tub in its own nook can

be the centerpiece of a master bath when a splurge on

materials and square footage is in the budget.

Planning Your Bathroom 9

In a master bath, on the other hand, design choices

get a little more complicated. Aesthetics equal—or

may even overtake—the practical. For someone with

a lot of work and family responsibilities, a long soak

in a comfortable bathtub can be a restorative escape

from routine.

Whether you’ll be working through new construction

or a renovation, a good place to start is by making

basic choices on how the bathroom will be used, how

much space it needs, and generally what kinds of

fixtures and materials are most appropriate for its

intended purpose. Unless the construction budget is

unlimited (a rarity these days), the answers to those

questions will have a lot to do with a successful design.

above • The wide band of river rock makes an attractive and functional

detail behind the sink. It is repeated in the shower for cohesiveness

in the room.

Expect the Unexpected

when Remodeling

Remodeling any room is something of a guessing

game because you never really know what you’re

going to find until you dive in. Bathrooms take

that basic fact of life and up the ante; you’re more

likely to find hidden problems here than in almost

any other part of the house simply because there’s

so much potential for water damage.

Be prepared to do more demolition than

you expected or wanted. That means you need

to build in an allowance for higher labor and

materials costs as well as plan for the possibility

of an extended construction schedule. It would

be a rare remodel where the contractor doesn’t

approach you at least once with an unexpected

issue. Problems can be solved—just don’t be

surprised when they pop up.

right • Careful materials selection makes all the difference in this

bathroom. The ribbon-striped wood in the vanity and mirror plays

well with the white tile, and nothing overwhelms the eye.

10 Planning Your Bathroom

The success of this bath is the limited

number of colors that work together.

Pale green tile gives this bathroom a

soft iridescence, while the black tile

border complements the vanity base.

Putting ideas

into Practice

One early decision is the extent to which you will involve pro-

fessional planners in designing a new bathroom. There is no

right answer, but bigger budgets and bigger bathrooms make

a more compelling case for hiring a pro than does a limited

remodel involving mostly cosmetic upgrades.

Bathroom renovations in older houses often involve knock-

ing down walls to make more room. A good contractor will

be able to tell whether the walls you want to remove bear any

structural loads or are simply partitions that can be yanked

out without worrying whether the ceiling will collapse. But a

designer or architect will be able to help you see design possi-

bilities that even a good builder might miss; it’s just a question

of training and emphasis.

Even if you hire a designer, you should be willing to bring

more to the table than yes or no answers to his or her sugges-

tions. Educate yourself about the architectural style of your

house to get a feel for what kind of renovation will work best.

Start a clip file of magazine articles that show bathrooms you

like, and start collecting information on fans, toilets, shower-

heads, countertops, tile, and anything else you’ll need to make

a decision about.

Stuffing clips into file folders works just fine, although soft-

ware such as Evernote (a free download) makes it even easier

to save text, photos, or Web pages to a laptop and smart

phone. The information can be called up quickly if you need

to explain something to a builder or designer, or when you’re

shopping for paint, lights, or cabinet pulls.

Regardless of the kind of pro you hire, do your homework

so you go into the project understanding basically what’s

involved. There are many resources that can help, and one of

them is the National Kitchen & Bath Association, which offers

a free workbook to help you organize your ideas and give you

some design and layout basics. In addition, visit a local kitch-

en and bath showroom to get a look at what’s available.

12 Planning Your Bathroom

Should You Be Your Own

General Contractor?

Most homeowners don’t have the skills to

renovate a bathroom themselves, but it may be

tempting to act as your own general contractor.

That means you’d find and hire your own subcon-

tractors rather than rely on a contractor to do it

for you. Unless you’re unusually well connected

and have above average technical knowledge,

this isn’t a good idea.

Although it costs more to work through a

general contractor, you’re getting the benefit of

his or her experience, access to skilled subcon-

tractors, and knowledgeable oversight on the

site. Plus, you have a better chance of getting

the job done on schedule. For a strictly cosmetic

overhaul you may not need a general contractor.

Laying tile, painting, and minor plumbing are all

possible for motivated (and skilled) homeowners

looking to save some money and enjoy the

process. You can hire a plumber or electrician for

those jobs you know you’re not qualified to do.

But when the job is anything more than minor,

bring in a professional.

facing page top • A large stone vanity top

with an undermount sink and an open

base provides plenty of storage without

seeming visually overwhelming. A glass

shower surround helps to keep the room

light and airy.

above left • Wallpaper adds an attractive

splash of color, especially when paired

with a white tub and a light-colored floor.

left • Louvered shutters are one way

of adding light and ventilation to a

bathroom while preserving privacy.

Planning Your Bathroom 13

P u T T I n g I T A L L T o g e T h e r

getting the most

from a tiny Space

The challenge in designing small bathrooms is finding

ways to make these rooms seem larger than they really

are while incorporating features the owners want.

In this Bellevue, Washington, bath, which measures

less than 56 sq. ft. overall, designer Debbi Cleary used

light from a skylight and glass-block panels near the tub

to enhance a sense of volume and openness. The glass

block ensures privacy while admitting a lot of light, and

it has the additional advantage of diffusing light—the

neighbor’s rust-color roof became a swirl of warm color,

creating what Cleary calls “a soft intimacy.”

Frameless glass walls around the extra deep, 3-ft. by 5-ft.

soaking tub allow it to double as a shower while letting

natural light flood the rest of the room.

Using a low-key, light color palette is one strategy to help

small spaces feel larger. Here, a simple range of colors

and materials unites the vanity with the shower so that

the space flows smoothly.

7 ft. 103⁄4 in.

4 ft. 6 in.

7 ft. 2 in.

14 Planning Your Bathroom

far left • natural light is abundant in this small bathroom

thanks to a wall of glass block, frameless glass panels

around the tub, and an overhead skylight.

left • A fixture over the vanity directs light both up and

down, enhancing the volume of the room.

below • The glass-block panels admit light without

sacrificing privacy. The diffused patterns of light

reflecting off a rust-colored roof nearby are a bonus.

Planning Your Bathroom 15

T h e e s s e n T I A L s

hiring the right People

If you’ve decided to hire someone to renovate your bathroom, you

might choose a designer (or architect) plus a contractor or look

for a builder who’s been trained in design as well as construction;

these pros are often part of a firm called design/build. Some pros

have degrees in architecture but have chosen to stay on the con-

struction side of the business, making for a valuable combination

of skills.

ArChITeCTs

• Architects are the most highly trained and able to handle the widest variety

of renovation problems, including structural repairs and alterations.

• Architects may charge a percentage of the overall project budget or

by the hour.

• An architect may simply provide construction drawings or actually oversee

the work as well.

• If the scope of the renovation seems to call for an architect, talk to several

and choose one whose work you like and who seems to understand your

budget and your objectives.

BuILdIng ConTrACTors/generAL ConTrACTors

• General contractors (GCs) hire subcontractors for specific parts of the job

while retaining overall responsibility for the work and scheduling.

• Meet with several prospective GCs and building contractors, not just the one

recommended by your neighbor or brother-in-law. Ask to see a portfolio of

their work. Ask for references and take the time to make those calls.

• When you find a contractor you like, ask to see proof of liability insurance,

get his or her license number and check that it’s valid, and request any other

documentation that may be required of contractors in your community.

• Do not start work without a signed contract that spells out the scope of

the work, when payments are to be made, and how change orders should be

handled.

desIgners

• Hiring a professional designer might be a good idea if the remodel requires

extensive cosmetic changes, even moving walls, but doesn’t affect the basic

structure or appearance of the house.

• Find a designer who has been certified by the National Kitchen & Bath

Association. There are several levels of certification: associate, certified,

and certified master designer (CMKBD). The last requires the most training,

but designers at all levels must pass written exams and have formal design

education.

• Designers will be able to offer advice for all phases of the renovation.

• Interior decorators (not the same thing as a designer) have different training

and specialize in furnishings, paint, color, and other surface decorations.

• As with contractors, ask for references and portfolios.

16 Planning Your Bathroom

above • The simple glass splash guard helps to keep

water in check in this curbless shower, particularly

since the showerhead is centered in the space.

left • A full-width glass panel adds contemporary

flair to this traditional-styled bath.

Planning Your Bathroom 17

The Intimacy gradient Applied to Bathrooms

The most intimate sections of a bathroom should be farthest

from the door. In a small bath, use compartments with doors.

Whether you’re remodeling or building new, keep-

ing a few basic design principles in mind can be

helpful. Every family’s needs and every house are a

little different, so rather than simply copying a floor

plan you’ve seen elsewhere and hoping it will work

in your house, make use of design fundamentals to

help you develop a floor plan that will work for you.

Some of these design strategies are based on ideas

found in the book A Pattern Language, by Christo-

pher Alexander.

• Avoid layouts with more than one access door.

• Create an entrance alcove for a bathroom off a

hallway to provide an added measure of privacy.

• A well-shaped bathroom is a square or a rectangle

whose length is not more than twice its width.

An entry Transition and a Central space

• Good bathrooms have a clear central area where

Improve a Bathroom

you can wash off or dry off. Fixtures like the tub

and toilet should be located in alcoves at the edges

Separate alcoves for different functions give a bathroom a

of the room.

roomlike quality. A small transition space changes the feel

of the room.

• Natural light is important. If the room can have

only one window, locate it so it illuminates what

you see when you first enter the room.

• Use the “intimacy gradient” in designing a floor

plan by locating the most private parts of the bath-

room farthest from the door.

• If space permits, pair a master bath and a dress-

ing room. Custom cabinets can combine open

shelves, drawers, and hanging space that best suit

individual needs. Some manufacturers also offer

cabinetry that would be ideal for a dressing room

or walk-in closet with features such as a pull-out

ironing board and a pull-up door that hides a

clothes iron and other supplies.

18 Planning Your Bathroom

Create a Dressing Room

Consider all kinds of storage needs in the early stages of your new

bathroom design. If space and budget allow, create an alcove or new

room adjacent to the bathroom for use as a walk-in dressing room. Open

and closed shelves as well as drawers and rods of various sizes will make

the space most efficient.

above • A dressing area next to the bath

borrows some light via a transom high on

the bathroom wall. Two-tiered hanging bars

save space.

left • renovations sometime permit

bathroom expansions into an unused closet

or utility room. A walk-in closet with both

open shelves and drawers offers plenty of

storage.

Planning Your Bathroom 19

making Design

accessible

Although the principles of universal design have

been slow to trickle into residential design, you can

incorporate accessibility into a bathroom whether

remodeling or building new. Universal design princi-

ples can make a house more comfortable for anyone

living there, not just someone using a cane or wheel-

chair or dealing with the infirmities of old age.

Because bathrooms are used so frequently and for

such a variety of daily tasks, they are among the most

important spaces at home to design this way.

Universal design makes it easier for those who have

been disabled or injured to take care of themselves.

It also is a way of making bathrooms adaptable to

people as they get older and gradually become less

capable physically, even to the point of helping the

bathroom accommodate the homeowner plus a care-

giver. Some bathroom features can be built so they

are convertible as needs change: a vanity whose top

can be lowered simply and quickly for someone in a

wheelchair, for example. But some features must be

incorporated into the room when it’s built.

A shower without a threshold makes access

easier for someone using a wheelchair, and a

handheld shower simplifies bathing.

20 Planning Your Bathroom

above • This shower stall is ideal for children as well

as those who need to sit while bathing, thanks to the

lower-than-normal niche for toiletries plus the shower

controls and handheld sprayer being located in the

center of the wall.

left • A bathroom without visual barriers seems open

and inviting, even when the space is relatively small.

Lessons in Designs That Accommodate Changes in Life

Thirty years ago, Cindy Leibrock was a disenchanted interior

Injured in a freak bicycle accident in 1998, universal design

designer, finding fewer spiritual rewards in “making rich people

specialist Rosemarie Rossetti suddenly found herself living in a

look richer.” Eventually she found a new calling with universal

house that made daily life a trial. The second floor and basement

design. Later, Leibrock and her husband built a new house in

of her two-story home were inaccessible and while modifications

Livermore, Colorado, that melded universal design with the

helped, they were inadequate. In the end, she and her husband

principles of sustainable building.

Mark began building a house they hope will be a national model

After finishing up the house, her husband slipped on the

for accessible design as well as their home, called the Universal

racquetball court, rupturing an Achilles tendon, and Leibrock

Design Living Laboratory.

went in for a hip replacement. Virtually overnight, they faced

To both Leibrock and Rossetti, universal design is not about an

circumstances that normally would be life changing. Her doctor

after-the-fact adaptation to disability; it is about planning for its

suggested they check into a nursing home until they were

inevitability in a way that makes any home more appealing.

well enough to maneuver around their own home, but their

forethought in incorporating universal design into their plans

made that unnecessary. They recuperated at home.

Planning Your Bathroom 21

A Layout that Allows room for Maneuvering

Reinforcing for grab bars must be provided.

ALLoW enough rooM

5 ft. min.

3 ft. 0 in. preferred;

2 ft. 6 in. min. knee space

Wheelchairs and walkers need extra maneuvering room, so

one of the first objectives should be to make doorways, show-

in.

ers, and floor plans generous enough to handle them.

3 ft. m

The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State

ended

36-in. by 60-in.

curbless (roll-in) shower

m

University has developed a number of useful recommenda-

30-in. by 48-in.

tions and sample floor plans for bathrooms, many of which are

clear floor space

in. recom

available for free online.

for lavatory

Some of the layout basics include the following:

8 ft. 6 in. m

• Make doorways 36 in. wide, with no threshold.

• Provide a 60-in.-diameter turning space and 30-in. by 48-in.

clear floor space at each fixture (clear spaces can overlap

1 ft. 6 in.

each other).

8 ft. 10 in. min. recommended

• Make a 36-in. clear space in front of and to one side of the

36- in. by 60-in. clear floor space for toilet

toilet.

• Make lavatory countertops at least 32 in. high with a 29-in.-

high knee space. It’s fine to make the knee hole accessible

Larger showers for Assistance with Bathing

with removable panels or folding doors, but hot-water lines

should be covered to prevent burns.

A 5-ft. by 5-ft. curbless shower provides space so an attendant

can assist with bathing and allows a wheelchair user to turn

• The shower should be a minimum of 3 ft. by 5 ft.

around within the shower.

• Leave a minimum clear zone of 1 ft. 6 in. between the edge

Side

of the counter and the door opening.

• Make sure the shower is equipped with an antiscald mix-

ing valve or a programmable control that allows the bather

to set the temperature accurately before venturing into the

shower.

• Position tub and shower controls so they are within easy

reach of someone in a wheelchair rather than centered over

5 ft.

Back

the tub. The same goes for electrical outlets and switches.

• Consider a handheld shower that can be reached from a

seated position, which is easier for someone in a wheelchair

to use.

• Install a toilet that is compliant with the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA). It will have a seat height of between

15 in. and 19 in., a good “transfer height” for someone in a

5 ft.

wheelchair.

Side

22 Planning Your Bathroom

Making a Bathroom Safe and Convenient

When thinking about accessibility, it’s important to think ahead and think broadly. The

bathroom here was designed for someone in a wheelchair, but it could just as easily be

found in the home of people without disabilities.

right • Providing lots of room around the toilet,

along with a handheld shower installed at a

comfortable height, makes bathing much easier.

left and below • In this bathroom designed by

universal design specialist Cindy Leibrock,

conventional barriers have been eliminated. The

front panel in the vanity can be removed, allowing

someone in a wheelchair to use the sink. Any

exposed hot-water lines should be covered to

prevent burns.

Planning Your Bathroom 23

reMove oBsTruCTIons

Door thresholds make navigating a wheelchair

difficult. In fact, any abrupt change in floor height

is an impediment to a wheelchair and a potential

trip hazard for someone with reduced motor skills.

Remove rugs from the room as well (unless they

can be installed so the edges are flush with the rest

of the floor).

If a threshold is a mere inconvenience, the curb on a

conventional shower is a virtual roadblock. Curbless

showers are designed without a lip at the entrance

so a wheelchair can roll right in. Sloping the floor

toward the drain keeps the water where it belongs.

above • Although narrow, this bathroom has a curbless shower

with a handheld shower, plus a vanity area with an open space

below for easy access.

24 Planning Your Bathroom

The Practicalities of a Curbless shower

Consider using marine-grade plywood and/or cementitious backerboard

to further protect the building structure from water infiltration.

Fixed showerhead in

conventional location

Diverter valve or

Handheld

additional control valve

showerhead on

for handheld shower

slide mount

Whole wall

Recessed soap

reinforcing

trays and ledges

allows grab

do not obstruct

bars to be

grab bars.

mounted

vertically and

in a variety

60-in.-long

of other

(min.) hose

locations.

(72 in.

recommended)

Control valve

Whole wall

offset toward

plywood

shower opening

reinforcing

(antiscald

recommended)

Waterproof

membrane

Continuous

extends

or equivalent

up wall.

separate

horizontal grab

bars at code-

complying

locations

Flush threshold

Smaller-size

nonslip floor

tiles for better

Drain with

weep holes

traction

Mortar setting bed

Waterproof

membrane

extends under

Dropped and/or

Dropped subfloor

finished floor.

resized floor joists

left • A pedestal sink is more convenient than a standard vanity for

someone in a wheelchair. A better option, though, is a vanity with a

completely open face.

Planning Your Bathroom 25

InsTALL grAB BArs

Grab bars provide welcome stability for someone

whose balance is a little off, someone recovering

from an injury, or a child who may need an extra

handhold. The time to start thinking about them

is before any finished walls go in. Grab bars and

anything that might temporarily serve as a grab bar—

including towel racks and toilet paper holders—must

be solidly anchored to wall framing.

Solid blocking between studs should be provided at

heights where these accessories will be mounted. An

even better approach is to install a continuous layer

of 3⁄4-in. plywood beneath the drywall, allowing solid

points of attachment wherever they are needed in

the future.

In keeping with her effort to keep designs flexible,

universal design specialist Cindy Leibrock (see the

sidebar on p. 21) installed a pair of removable grab

bars flanking the toilet in her bathroom (see the

photos on the facing page). They can be installed

in a few minutes, without tools, by popping off two

wall tiles. When the bars aren’t needed, they can be

removed and the tiles put back in place. The conver-

sion is fast and easy.

above • double-wide

doors and the lack of

a threshold are good

In addition to the more conventional horizontal

start toward making this

type, consider vertical grab bars near the toilet and

bathroom accessible for a

in the shower. They’re especially handy for men folk

wheelchair. The high tub

and conventional vanity,

trying to use the facilities.

however, are drawbacks.

An overhead track and sling can be used to move

left • This ceiling-mounted

sling can take someone

a person from the toilet to the tub. When the sling

from tub to toilet. When

isn’t needed, it can easily be slipped off the end of

not in use, the sling can be

removed from the track and

the track and put away.

stowed away.

If you’re planning on staying in your home and want

some help making alterations that will make it eas-

ier, consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place

Specialist, or CAP, through the National Association

of Home Builders (www.nahb.org/aginginplace).

26 Planning Your Bathroom

above • An assist when you need it: A sturdy rail can be attached to a wall-mounted plate in seconds.

When not in use, the rail pivots up and out of the way. It can be removed entirely, with the mounting plate concealed by a tile.

Planning Your Bathroom 27

P u T T I n g I T A L L T o g e T h e r

handicapped-accessible

with an old-Fashioned Feel

Master bath

The master bath in this oceanfront house in Cape Elizabeth,

Maine, was part of a ground-up rebuild guided by strict property

and water setbacks as well as limits on how much of the property

Laundry

room

could be covered with impervious materials. The owner, a

single woman with an extended family, wanted the bath

to be handicapped-accessible and to have a tub with a view

Master bedroom

of the ocean.

Master closet

With those parameters in mind, this narrow bath was designed to

make every inch count.

The vanity is centered on one wall, with the soaking tub on the

ocean side of the room and the handicapped-accessible shower

on the other. Access to the master bedroom is via a pocket door

that will rarely be closed.

“The owner came with antique family furnishings and a strong

idea that the décor of the house should be neutral in color and

filled with natural light, to show off views of the ocean and sky

from every room,” says architect John Whipple. Those design

goals are reflected in the new bathroom, with large windows at

one end for light and views, recycled southern pine flooring near

the tub, and an antique framed mirror over the vanity.

At the opposite end of the room, the floor and shower surround

are finished in marble. The floor of the easy-access shower is

pebbled, providing good traction as well as an interesting color

and texture contrast.

Although the color choices at first seemed overly neutral, they’ve

created a room that feels summery and bright regardless of the

time of year.

right • While pine flooring dominates one

end of the room, the other is finished

in marble. The color palette is simple

and understated.

28 Planning Your Bathroom

above • With a mainly white-and-black backdrop,

the wood mirror frame is a detail that stands

out clearly.

above • The floor in the shower area is marble while

above • A new master bath in this Maine oceanfront house includes a large

the shower floor itself is small river rock for an

tub with stunning water views. recycled pine flooring helps to give the

appealing color contrast and good traction when wet.

bath an old-fashioned flavor.

Planning Your Bathroom 29

managing Energy

and Water Costs

A key principle of green building is resource con-

servation, which boils down to reducing waste and

inefficiencies wherever possible. Even if you have no

interest in building a home that will be eligible for

certification under one of several green building pro-

grams, water conservation inevitably leads to energy

conservation. Both are attractive.

Saving water does not have to mean either discom-

fort or added costs. Houses designed for efficient

water use can be easier and more comfortable to live

in, as well as less expensive to operate.

There are two basic strategies for using less water:

choosing toilets, faucets, and showerheads that use

less (for more on this, see Chapters 2 and 3), and

making basic design choices in your plumbing

system to minimize waste.

For the most part, a smart plumbing design is

something built into the house, not something

that’s easy to do later unless floors and ceilings are

removed--not your average weekend do-it-yourself

(DIY) project. But new construction presents many

opportunities, such as opting for a “home run” distri-

bution system over a more conventional trunk-and-

branch layout for supply lines. Running a separate

supply line to each fixture or outlet minimizes heat

loss, speeds delivery of hot water, and consequently

means less waste.

Another systems approach is a hot-water circulation

system, which can be plumbed into an existing bath-

room as well as built into a new one at a relatively

low cost. This system eliminates the wait for hot

water at shower and sink.

30 Planning Your Bathroom

When privacy isn’t an issue, large windows in the shower

let in a great deal of light and make it seem as if you’re

showering outdoors.

In addition to saving water, good plumbing design

also saves energy. Something as simple as insulating

hot-water lines between the water heater and each

point of use will make a difference. More complex

strategies, such as a drain-water heat recovery, cost

more initially but also can reduce hot-water costs

substantially.

Reusing gray water (what goes down the drain after

a shower or from a washing machine) also holds

promise for using less water. While gray water isn’t

potable, it’s not especially dirty either, and it can be

used for watering the lawn or garden or for flushing

toilets—providing that local plumbing codes allow it

and your plumber knows how to set it up.

All of these things are worth discussing with your

plumber when you’re building new or undertaking

a major bathroom remodel. You’ll find that taking

A full-length vanity top with two integrated sinks is a

great feature in a busy bathroom. Pull-out steps make

relatively simple steps while the house is under con-

it easier for children to wash up and brush their teeth.

struction may pay dividends down the road.

Planning Your Bathroom 31

fixtures

Fixtures are the workhorses of the bathroom, but they can

add style as well as functionality. Even the humble toilet can make an aesthetic contribution to the room.

sinks

A perfectly serviceable bathroom sink made from

vitreous china can be had at any home center for

about $50, maybe less. It will be plain in design and

white in color, and it will likely last for many years.

However, if your tastes wander toward the more exot-

ic, there is no shortage of options. Like tubs, toilets,

and other bathroom fixtures, sinks now run the stylis-

tic gamut in a corresponding wide array of materials.

In addition to cost, there are three other consider-

ations: how the sink is installed, what it’s made from,

and what kind of aesthetic role it’s destined to play in

overall bathroom design.

There are five basic sink configurations: those that

drop into the top of the vanity (called self-rimming),

those that are mounted from below, freestanding

consoles or pedestals, wall-mounted sinks, and sinks

that sit on top of the counter, usually called “vessel”

sinks, a trademark of the Kohler Co., but made by

many other companies.

The material a sink is manufactured from does

make a difference, but not a lot. There are, practi-

cally speaking, no functional differences between a

$2,000 hammered copper basin and the $50 lavatory

from your local home center. Basic vitreous china is

durable and easy to keep clean, and for those reasons

is a good choice. But metal, stone, wood, glass, and

solid-surface sinks are alternatives. Some are harder

to maintain than others, and most are more expen-

sive than a simple china drop-in.

A bathroom sink can be a centerpiece of the room’s

design or simply a basin for washing and brushing

your teeth. Deciding what you want the sink to do is

a good first step.

This large console sink offers more countertop storage

for toiletries than a pedestal sink, and its shaped legs

complement an old-fashioned décor.

34 Fixtures

above left • A vessel sink with a

matching tile backsplash and

wall-mounted faucets comple-

ments a house built in the

Southwestern style.

above right • There’s no rule that

says a sink has to be white. This

undermount commands attention

even though its unobtrusive.

left • A counter and sink formed

as a single component are

attractively contemporary and

much easier to keep clean than a

conventional drop-in sink.

Fixtures 35

Self-Rimming SinkS

The most basic design is a self-rimming sink that

drops into a recess in the top of the vanity. These

sinks are compatible with any countertop material, a

plus; but they also are harder to keep clean because

the seam where the sink joins the counter inevitably

collects grime, potentially a big minus.

One exception to this rule is a drop-in set in a tile

countertop. The sink can be adjusted in height rela-

tive to the substrate so that when tile is brought up to

the perimeter the surfaces are flush. When the seam

is caulked, there’s no place for grunge to collect.

While the self-rimming design is an old standby,

there are many examples of beautifully finished self-

rimming sinks that are anything but basic. Some

companies have in-house artists who paint designs by

hand before the sinks are fired. And designs can be

customized to suit a particular color scheme or room

theme: seashells or mermaids at a beach cottage, for

instance, or flowers for an avid gardener. Finishes

incorporating metallic or other special paints and

glazes aren’t necessarily as robust as a basic vitre-

ous china surface, though, so handle and clean

accordingly.

From an installation standpoint, self-rimming sinks

are among the most forgiving, something to consider

if you’re doing the work yourself and don’t have a

lot of experience. A template supplied with the sink

gives the exact shape of the cutout, and as long as

the hole is reasonably close to the size of the sink,

the sink will fit just fine.

The scalloped edges of this sink are

an attractive detail, especially when

set against a dark countertop.

36 Fixtures

left • Self-rimming sinks are

set in a cutout in the vanity

top. Although they typically

are economical, they can

potentially leak around the rim.

below left • While oval

self-rimming sinks are

commonplace, there are other

shapes to choose from, like this

flowerlike sink.

below • This simple self-rimming

sink is a solid low-cost choice

for a child’s bath, where

aesthetic expectations are

probably a bit relaxed.

Fixtures 37

PedeSTAlS And ConSoleS

Pedestal sinks take up very little floor area, and

Console sinks are a variation on the theme, with legs

they’re also easy to clean because they’re typically

made of metal or china supporting the basin instead

cast as a single unit without joints or seams.

of a single pedestal. A towel rack can be worked into

the frame, giving consoles a slight edge over pedes-

A small pedestal sink is ideal for a powder room,

tals in convenience, and some consoles come with

where it’s used mostly for hand washing. But unless

fairly large surfaces around the sink. Smaller models

it’s unusually large, a pedestal sink is not such a great have the same advantages and drawbacks as a pedes-choice in a busy, everyday bathroom. Without a

tal design: easier to clean than some other sink types,

countertop or any undercounter storage, there’s very

perhaps, but lacking storage.

little room for a hairbrush, toothbrush, hair dryers,

and all the other things that find their way into the

In addition to being one-piece china fixtures, con-

bathroom. Extra storage in the form of a medicine

soles can combine other materials—a wood or stone

cabinet or cupboard will have to be provided. Even

counter surface with a self-rimming or undermount

then, where do you park the shaving cream in the

sink, for example.

morning?

Placing two pedestal sinks

next to each other is an

alternative to the double-

bowl vanity that has

become so common.

above • Pedestal sinks take up very little floor space, and when paired with nearby storage, their small surrounds aren’t much

of a drawback.

above right • exposed bracing on the frame of this sleek,

contemporary console can be used for a wash cloth or

hand towel.

right • Although console sinks often evoke an old-time

architectural style, they also can be contemporary in shape

and color.

UndeRmoUnTS

Undermounts are attached to the bottom of the counter sur-

face with metal clips and sealed with caulk. When installed

correctly, there’s virtually no chance of a leak at the rim, and

the vanity top is a breeze to clean because there’s no sink rim

to get in the way. From a design point of view, undermounts

are understated and unobtrusive.

They’re ideal for many countertop choices—stone, concrete,

and other monolithic surfaces—and not so good for others. It’s

no doubt possible to mount one to a laminate counter, but not

without a good deal of effort. So if you’re going with laminate,

better to pick another style.

Solid-surface undermounts can be glued directly to the coun-

ter for a completely seamless installation with no chance of

collecting grime between sink and counter. That’s a plus in

the kitchen and works to the same advantage in the bathroom,

as long as you like the material. One-piece sink countertops

also are available at home centers.

above • Sinks don’t have to be of a single color. manufactured and hand-painted designs are widely available in a variety of custom and stock designs.

40 Fixtures

right • Undermount sinks in

a plain color let the texture

and color of the countertop

dominate.

facing page left • Paired with

a graceful single-stem

faucet, this rectangular

undermount looks clean

and contemporary.

facing page right • Under-

mount sinks are a modern

adaptation, but period

faucets, a marble vanity

top, and the demilune

vanity give this bathroom

old-school charm.

Fixtures 41

WAll-moUnTed SinkS

Wall-mounted sinks have the same pros and cons

as pedestals, with one obvious difference. Because

there’s nothing touching the floor, cleaning is much

simpler. Wall-mounts also share the same disadvan-

tage, namely a lack of storage for cosmetics and toi-

letries. They make the most sense in a guest bath or

powder room where they’re not taking the full brunt

of daily use.

Large, old-fashioned wall-mounts lend a great flavor

to a period home or farmhouse, but they also are

available in a number of more contemporary styles.

They range from sinks suited for a corner installation

to those with the faucet mount on the side to cut

their intrusion into the room to a bare minimum.

Some even come with a shelf below the bowl for

storing hand towels or soap.

above • This contemporary wall-hung sink takes up very little room,

and it offers just enough of a countertop for a powder room.

42 Fixtures

far left • This is what wall-

hung sinks used to look

like, and the sturdy, no-

nonsense style can still be

successful.

left • A wall-mounted sink

offers no obstacles to

cleaning the floor, but like

a small pedestal sink, it

doesn’t offer much room for

storing toiletries.

below • Small and colorful,

this wall-mounted sink

would be ideal in a

powder room.

ABove-CoUnTeR SinkS

The trendy above-counter sink is a stylistic throw-

back to an age when indoor plumbing amounted to

a basin atop a bureau or side table, in other words

pre-modern plumbing. But there’s nothing outdated

about the look now.

Above-counter sinks are available in glass, stone,

bronze, and vitreous china, as well as a range of

prices, so they should be able to fit most design

schemes and budgets. They can be paired with

surface-mounted faucets (make sure the neck of the

faucet is tall enough) or faucets that pop directly out

of the wall.

There are a couple of practical things to keep in

mind if you’re leaning in this direction. First and

foremost, you’ll need to do more advance planning.

Above-counter sinks come in many heights, and

you’ll need those specs to set the counter height of

the vanity. And if you want in-the-wall plumbing, it

will take careful coordination with your builder or

plumbing contractor. He’ll need the exact location of

the sink before roughing in supply lines and drains.

above • Above-counter sinks are reminiscent of the washbasins

top • Because wall-mounted faucets don’t sit on the countertop, there is more decking widely used in days before indoor plumbing.

available for toiletries. However, these kinds of faucets require early conversations with your

plumber or builder to ensure their placement can be accommodated.

above • Above-counter sinks are available in a variety of shapes, colors, styles, and materials and can be paired with contemporary or period decors.

44 Fixtures

Because all of the sink is above

countertop height, vanity

height may have to be adjusted.

Countertops

The green building boom has added considerably to

the repertoire of bathroom countertop options. Old

favorites include tile, stone and stone composites,

solid surface, plastic laminate, concrete, and wood. To

that, you may now add a variety of countertops made

from recycled materials, such as glass and paper.

No matter what the material, the choice still boils

down to a few issues: durability, how much main-

tenance the surface requires, price, and compat-

ibility with other features in the room. And the right

balance of features varies depending on where the

counter gets installed. In a bathroom used mainly

by children, you’d be wise to pick something that

cleans up easily, wears well, and doesn’t cost too

much. Plastic laminate or solid surface are two good

options. In a high-budget master bathroom where

materials are carefully orchestrated, it’s unlikely

plastic laminate would be your first choice, despite

its many practical advantages. A powder room used

mostly by guests is a good place to splurge on a

countertop with lots of visual appeal: a special piece

of stone or a striking piece of highly figured wood.

You’re not installing much of it, so the cost per

square foot isn’t an overwhelming factor. You can

afford to make a good impression on your visitors.

In addition to the price of materials, there is the labor

of fabrication and installation. Some counters (wood,

plastic laminate, and recycled paper) can be cut and

shaped on-site. That can result in some dollar and

time savings over such materials as stone, recycled

glass, and concrete, all of which must be fabricated

with special equipment in a shop off-site (and which

also can be cut incorrectly). With this in mind, be

top •

sure to do your research on fabricators and installers.

Wood countertops, while not as common as stone, solid surface,

or laminate, make excellent vanity tops, providing they are finished

carefully and the finish is maintained.

above • Stone and manufactured stone, which is mostly quartz, make

durable, attractive countertops and are available in many colors and

patterns.

46 Fixtures

far left • Countertops

can be integrated with

the backsplash to

make a pleasing whole.

Here, mosaic tile is an

interesting counterpoint to

a monolithic vanity top.

left • Because stone is

available in long blanks,

it can be manufactured

into a seamless countertop

even on a double-vanity.

Undermount sinks give

the installation a crisp,

contemporary look.

below • A dark, textured

countertop complements

the cherry vanity.

The list of green materials being used to fabricate

countertops is surprisingly long. “Green” means the

material helps to save energy or natural resources

(or both), that it has no ill effects on health, and

that in mining, manufacturing, or harvesting it there

is a minimal impact on the environment. If you’re

building a house to the standards of Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), select-

ing countertops with high recycled content wins you

points that count toward certification. But the truth

is, many of these newer materials are just plain inter-

esting as well as attractive.

IceStoneSM, BioGlassSM, EnviroSLAB™, Vetrazzo®,

and several other companies, for example, make

counters out of recycled glass in a good selection of

snazzy colors. PaperStone® and Eco-Top™ coun-

tertops are made from recycled paper, and a com-

pany called Alkemi combines aluminum scrap and

polyester resin to make a really striking countertop.

Craft-Art makes counters in end-grain bamboo. The

revival of linoleum, which is slowly reemerging from

the shadow of sheet vinyl, means more suppliers and

installers. All of these materials may be attractive

whether you’re trying to be environmentally con-

scious or just looking for something unique.

Concrete is another option that has steadily gained

ground in the bathroom as well as the kitchen.

Because of its growing popularity, there are more

fabricators than even a few years ago. Concrete can

be cast into virtually any shape and enlivened with

embedded objects and dyes for a highly custom look.

If you go this route, make sure you get a seasoned fab-

ricator and ask to see samples of his or her work; there

is a learning curve in working with this material.

Stone is an excellent countertop material, but most types of

stone should be sealed to prevent stains.

48 Fixtures

top • Concrete makes a very durable countertop, but like stone, it must be sealed to keep out water and stains.

above • keeping a vanity top in the same color group as the rest of the room helps unify the space. Here, a low-key vanity top lets the profiles of the vanity

face stand out.

Fixtures 49

T H e e S S e n T i A l S

Countertop Materials

lAminATe

Solid SURfACe

$

$$

• Excellent choice for a child’s bath.

• Plenty of patterns and colors to choose from.

• Enormous variety of colors and patterns available, including

• Nonstaining, easy to maintain, and waterproof.

realistic wood and stone.

• Integral sink bowl an option for a seamless, easy-to-clean

• One of the lowest-cost options available.

installation.

• Nonporous, easy to clean, and waterproof.

• Minor surface damage can be sanded out.

• Not suitable for undermount sinks because of exposed edges

• Visually not as warm as wood, tile, and other nonplastic

at sink opening.

materials.

• Need to maintain caulk around edges to protect substrate

from water.

STone ComPoSiTeS

$$

Wood

• Quartz and resin combinations are nonporous and impervious

$-$$

to water.

• Great variety in wood tones and figure.

• Better stain resistance than natural stone and concrete.

• Can be fabricated with ordinary carpentry tools, making

• Many colors and patterns are available from several

customizing simple.

manufacturers.

• Some wood species are naturally resistant to moisture

• Fabricated like stone.

damage, but maintaining the finish is key to avoiding water

• Very hard and durable.

spots or worse.

• Can be used with any sink type.

ConCReTe

• If you want to go the green route, specify wood certified

$$-$$$

by the Forest Stewardship Council.

• Can be cast into any shape and easily customized.

Tile

• Can be treated with dyes and other surface treatments.

$-$$

• Hard and durable.

• Ample variety in sizes and colors to fit just about any

• The number of local fabricators increasing.

design theme.

• Surface can develop hairline cracks and will stain if not sealed.

• Easy to customize by mixing different colors and sizes of tile.

• Thick concrete counters are heavy, so plan cabinetry

• Ceramic tile is nonporous and nonstaining but grout isn’t, so

accordingly.

it will need to be sealed

nATURAl STone

• Can be integrated with a tile backsplash.

$$-$$$

• Surface is tough on glassware and other breakables.

• Lots of colors and patterns are available, and some kinds of

• Damaged tiles can be removed and replaced (just remember

stone are now sold in home-improvement centers, making it more

to order a few extra and tuck them away).

affordable.

ReCyCled-ConTenT mATeRiAlS

• Must be fabricated in specialized shops.

$-$$$

• Most natural stone should be sealed to keep out stains.

• Visually interesting and available in a wide range of colors.

• Suitable for all sink types.

• Recycled content is helpful when seeking green certification.

• Recycled glass counters with cement binders should be sealed

to avoid stains.

• Some types of glass counters must be fabricated with

specialized equipment.

50 Fixtures

above • Choosing a countertop material that can be fabricated into

long, unbroken spans eliminates seams, a cosmetic advantage.

above left • When the countertop is made from the same material as

the wainscoting, different parts of the room blend together nicely.

The color choice on the wall above the sink is an effective contrast

with the light-colored marble.

left • An extra-thick counter gives this vanity mass. The heavy

design of the wallpaper as well as the wood-edged mirror

complement its weightiness.

Fixtures 51

P U T T i n g i T A l l T o g e T H e R

Grand Lifestyle

Meets Modern

realities

A 1920s stone house in the heart of Philadelphia

had been built for a grand lifestyle, but the uninvit-

ing attic spaces, storage rooms, and closets on the

third floor held little appeal for its contemporary

owners.

Their plans were to rework this floor—what had

been the servants’ wing—to provide more family

recreational space, and that meant opening up a

cramped staircase and finding a new spot for the

bathroom. Plans could not include disrupting either

the stone façade of the house or its clay tile roof.

Space for the new bathroom was found in an exist-

ing T-shape closet located above the front entrance.

The room came with a dormer and a casement

window and did not require the addition of any dor-

mers or bump-outs. The trick, however, was fitting

a shower, toilet, sink, and storage space within the

A narrow shelf next to the window serves as a vanity top. The custom radiator cover

intersecting angles of the roof. Krieger + Associates

matches those in the rest of the house.

Architects found enough room in one arm of the T

for a shower stall and located the toilet in the other.

The shower enclosure is finished with 41⁄4-in.-square

white tiles. The center of the room got heart pine

floors, beadboard wainscoting, a marble vanity shelf,

and a period-style pedestal sink. A custom radiator

cover matches those in the rest of the house.

4 ft. 101⁄4 in.

4 ft.

12 ft. 4 in.

3 ft. 10 in.

4 ft. 1 in.

6 ft. 21⁄2 in.

52 Fixtures

above • The central area of this small bathroom is flanked by two niches,

one for a shower and another for a toilet. Heart pine flooring gives the

room warmth.

above left • in the one arm of the room’s T-shape layout, designers added

the toilet, complete with a door for privacy.

left • A shower tucked into the other arm of a T-shape bathroom is

finished in white tile to keep the space bright and appealing.

Fixtures 53

faucets

To some extent, the choice of a faucet is dictated by the

type of sink it will be partnered with. Pedestal or drop-

in sinks typically come with holes along the back edge

for mounting the faucet, and the distance between the

holes determines the range of faucets that will fit. Above-

counter sinks and undermounts often come without any

holes, opening up more possibilities. Because there are

so many variations in both sinks and faucets, it’s a good

idea to shop for them at the same time. You may find

just the right faucet but not a sink that will accommo-

date it—better to learn that before the plumber arrives.

Among the most common types of faucets are centerset,

widespread, wall-mounted, and monoblock (or single-

hole) faucets.

Centersets have the spouts and one or two handles to

control water flow on a shared base. They’re compact, so

they’re well suited to small sinks and tight spaces.

above • Centerset faucets combine the faucets with a central spout. They can be Widespread faucets have individual control handles

very compact.

for hot and cold water and a separate one for the spout.

They’re for sinks with three holes on the back rim or

for undermounts or above-counter sinks without holes

when the faucet is mounted directly on the deck.

Wall-mounted faucets come with one or two control

handles and are mounted directly behind or to the side

of the sink. They’re a little more complicated to install

because all of the plumbing is buried in the wall, but

they have the advantage of making it easier to clean

around the sink.

In monoblock faucets, everything is housed in a single

component. They require only a single hole in the sink

or countertop.

right • more contemporary in style, a monoblock

incorporates the spout and control in a single unit.

54 Fixtures

above • Wall-mount faucets facilitate cleaning around the sink. Combined with an above-counter sink, they’re very stylish, but make sure to plan ahead for in-wall plumbing.

above • Wall-mounted faucets come in a variety of

contemporary styles.

above • in a widespread faucet, the faucets and spout are all

separate pieces, better for larger sinks and counter installations.

Fixtures 55

Faucet finishes run the gamut from polished chrome or brass to

brushed nickel and bronze. A process called physical vapor

deposition (PVD) makes a more wear-resistant surface than con-

ventional electroplating. The overall design of the bathroom,

including fixture selection, walls, and countertop material, will

help guide faucet selection. But in general, brushed or ham-

mered surfaces don’t show fingerprints and water spots as readily

as polished chrome or brass.

It’s entirely possible to spend a small fortune on a faucet for the

sink, but at a certain point you’re paying for aesthetics, not func-

tion. Cheap faucets are nothing but a headache, but it isn’t neces-

sary to break the bank to get a well-made faucet that will provide

many years of trouble-free service. Look for all-metal construc-

tion, a PVD finish, and a valve design that doesn’t use washers,

such as a ceramic disc valve.

above • This monoblock faucet and sculptural wall-mounted sink make for

a clean, uncluttered look.

above • When choosing a deck-mounted faucet for an above-counter

sink, make sure its reach is enough to clear the lip of the sink.

right • With little room to spare in this guest bath, wall-mounted

faucets are ideal. The frame-mounted sink and faucet combination is a

contemporary departure from a more conventional pedestal sink.

56 Fixtures

Pairing a slab-like sink/vanity with a curving

faucet is an attractive detail in this otherwise

Spartan bath.

Fixtures 57

d e S i g n g A l l e R y

faucets

The type of sink you choose helps dictate the type of faucet, but

regardless of category, the range of finishes and styles for faucets

is significant. Look for an all-metal design with a PVD finish.

2

3

1

58 Fixtures

5

1. A deck mounted monoblock faucet is sleek, contemporary,

and a good match for an above-counter sink. 2. Wide-spread

faucets are appropriate for sinks with three holes in the rim

or for undermount sinks,where holes can be bored anywhere

in the counter. 3. Period-style faucets are readily available

in a variety of traditional finishes, such as polished chrome

and nickel. 4. The contrast between a blocky, rectangular

sink and a gooseneck faucet spout is interesting, and raising

the height of the spout makes washing up a little more

convenient. 5. Wall-mounted faucets eliminate clutter on

the countertop or sink bib and facilitate cleaning.

4

Fixtures 59

toilets

Toilets, the most fundamental of all bathroom fixtures, have

undergone something of a revolution in the last few years.

Beginning with a federal edict in 1995 that a toilet use no more

than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), the industry has steadily ramped

up performance with more efficient designs while lowering

water consumption. The result is a wide selection of low-flow

fixtures that actually work they way they’re supposed to.

When building new or renovating, homeowners may be

tempted to rely on the advice of only their plumbing contrac-

tor when it comes to what brand or model of toilet to install.

But plumbers sometimes pick brands they’re familiar with or

buy through a supplier that only stocks toilets from certain

manufacturers.

It can be tough to work up a lot of enthusiasm for choosing

a toilet when glass tile, hand-painted sinks, and soaking tubs

are beckoning. But given the number of times a toilet is used

every day (Toto estimates that everyone in the house will flush

five times), it makes more sense to knuckle down and do a

little research.

BASiC vS. SPeCiAl-ASSiST ToileTS

The basic toilet in America is a gravity-fed two-piece fixture

made from vitreous china. It consists of a bowl that’s bolted to

the floor and a tank that’s bolted to the bowl. It’s assembled by

the plumber on-site, and it uses the federally required 1.6 gpf.

This type of toilet is all that most of us need, but there are

other types to choose from, including dual-flush, pressure-assist,

and macerating toilets. These special-purpose toilets sometimes

are a better choice, either from a functional or an aesthetic

point of view (for more on these toilets, see pp. 62–63).

One-piece toilets are cast as a single piece of china. They tend

to be less bulky and have a lower profile than conventional two-

top • What manufacturers call “comfort height” toilets were originally

piece designs. But from a performance standpoint they don’t

designed to meet requirements of the Americans with disabilities Act.

work any better, and they are more expensive. They do have

above • in a basic two-piece toilet, castings clearly show the curved shapes of one advantage: they’re easier to clean. With no seam between

internal passageways, but in more contemporary designs, the outside of the

tank and bowl, there are fewer places for debris to collect.

base is smoothly contoured. A toilet like this is easier to clean.

60 Fixtures

Testing Performance

Manufacturers have solved design problems that plagued early low-flow

toilets, and now consumers have a way of checking on performance before

they buy. A testing protocol called Maximum Performance testing (MaP)

checks performance, and results are readily available online. The program

currently lists performance data for more than 1,400 toilets, and results are

updated every four to six months.

Testers use soybean paste encased in a thin latex membrane in weights

up to 1,000 grams to simulate real-world performance. Toilets are listed by

manufacturer and model name, so it’s easy to check on a fixture a plumber

might be recommending. Toilets that meet federal WaterSense standards

(1.28 gallons per flush) and ADA-compliant fixtures are also flagged.

To see the report, go to www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org.

top • Toilets sometimes don’t look like toilets, as is the case

above • A one-piece toilet has fewer seams than a conventional two-piece

with the iconic kohler Hatbox®. Sleeker, unconventional designs

design, making bathroom maintenance a little easier. Typically, however,

are well suited to contemporary bathrooms.

this type of toilet is more expensive than the standard two-piece.

above • low-profile toilets have a contemporary look.

Fixtures 61

Special-Purpose Toilets

Sometimes a conventional two-piece toilet doesn’t meet the needs

of a particular family or installation. There are a number of options.

Pressure-Assist Toilets

That alarming whoosh you hear as you fl ush the gas station toilet is

probably because the toilet is something called pressure-assist. It

uses the pressure in water supply lines to store a charge of compressed

air in the tank. When you fl ush the toilet, the pressure is released.

Pressure-assist toilets are designed to eliminate waste quickly and

powerfully and to keep the bowl clean.

These fi xtures make sense in high-traffi c bathrooms, and under

special circumstances there may be a reason to have one at home.

They can use somewhat less water than a conventional toilet, for

instance. But in general, modern toilets are effi cient enough to work

without a pressure-assist option, and this feature adds complexity to

an otherwise simple device. They also tend to be more expensive than

a conventional model.

macerating Toilets

Bathrooms installed below grade are problematic from a plumbing

point of view. If the outlet from the toilet is below the waste line, a

standard fi xture won’t work. That’s where a macerating toilet comes in.

Macerate means “to chop into bits,” and that’s exactly what these

fi xtures do—turn solid waste into a slurry that can be pumped through

a line as small as ¾ in. diameter for disposal. Some models can pump

With nothing sitting directly on the fl oor, it’s easy to run a broom

waste 12 ft. vertically and 150 ft. horizontally, making it possible to

or mop beneath a wall-mounted toilet.

plumb a toilet into a spot that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Even better, the toilets can be installed over any fi nish surface

without the need for below-fl oor traps or plumbing. Expect to pay

more for a macerating toilet than a no-frills conventional toilet.

Wall-Hung Toilets

Pushing the handle down on this

Wall-hung toilets make it much easier to keep the bathroom fl oor

pressure-assist toilet provides a

clean, and many have shed the institutional look. Some models come

1.1-gal. fl ush; raising the handle

with tanks that are concealed in the wall, so the toilet doesn’t project

eliminates solid waste with a

1.6-gal. fl ush.

into the room as far as a standard toilet.

Plumbing a wall-hung toilet is somewhat more complex because

waste lines have to be roughed in differently and because the wall

must carry the weight of the fi xture. But a well-designed support

and carrier, such as the Geberit, includes a prefabricated steel frame

that pops into a standard 2x6 wall as well as other plumbing parts

to simplify the job for a plumber.

They’re substantially more expensive than standard fl oor-mounted

toilets.

62 Fixtures

Special-Purpose Toilets

Sometimes a conventional two-piece toilet doesn’t meet the needs

of a particular family or installation. There are a number of options.

Pressure-Assist Toilets

That alarming whoosh you hear as you flush the gas station toilet is

probably because the toilet is something called pressure-assist. It

uses the pressure in water supply lines to store a charge of compressed

air in the tank. When you flush the toilet, the pressure is released.

Pressure-assist toilets are designed to eliminate waste quickly and

powerfully and to keep the bowl clean.

These fixtures make sense in high-traffic bathrooms, and under

Wall-mounted

special circumstances there may be a reason to have one at home.

toilets are less

They can use somewhat less water than a conventional toilet, for

bulky than

instance. But in general, modern toilets are efficient enough to work

conventional

designs because

without a pressure-assist option, and this feature adds complexity to

the water tank

an otherwise simple device. They also tend to be more expensive than

is buried in the

a conventional model.

wall. Plumbing

and installation,

macerating Toilets

however, are more

complex.

Bathrooms installed below grade are problematic from a plumbing

point of view. If the outlet from the toilet is below the waste line, a

standard fixture won’t work. That’s where a macerating toilet comes in.

Macerate means “to chop into bits,” and that’s exactly what these

fixtures do—turn solid waste into a slurry that can be pumped through

a line as small as ¾ in. diameter for disposal. Some models can pump

waste 12 ft. vertically and 150 ft. horizontally, making it possible to

plumb a toilet into a spot that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Even better, the toilets can be installed over any finish surface

without the need for below-floor traps or plumbing. Expect to pay

more for a macerating toilet than a no-frills conventional toilet.

Wall-Hung Toilets

Wall-hung toilets make it much easier to keep the bathroom floor

clean, and many have shed the institutional look. Some models come

with tanks that are concealed in the wall, so the toilet doesn’t project

into the room as far as a standard toilet.

Plumbing a wall-hung toilet is somewhat more complex because

waste lines have to be roughed in differently and because the wall

must carry the weight of the fixture. But a well-designed support

and carrier, such as the Geberit, includes a prefabricated steel frame

that pops into a standard 2x6 wall as well as other plumbing parts

to simplify the job for a plumber.

They’re substantially more expensive than standard floor-mounted

toilets.

Fixtures 63

toilets that save

Water

Manufacturers have long since adapted to the 1.6 gpf rule and

have gone on to design toilets that use 20 percent less water, or

1.28 gpf. These are called high-efficiency toilets and meet the

Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense guidelines.

The savings can be significant. Using Toto’s five-flush-per-

day guideline and an average household of 3.2 people, a

WaterSense toilet will save more than 1,800 gallons of water

each year.

High-efficiency toilets are likely to become the new standard

over time. Legislation passed in California will require them

to be phased in over time with a switch to 1.28 gpf designs

by 2014.

Another approach to cutting water consumption is with a

dual-flush toilet, which uses a 1.6-gallon flush for solid waste

and 1 gallon or less for liquid waste. Dual-flush toilets are

common in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and they make a lot

of sense. But the toilets start with less water in the bowl than

conventional models, and anecdotally you will hear they don’t

always clean themselves as efficiently.

The ultimate water-saving toilet is one that doesn’t use any

water at all. The Clivus Multrum, developed by a Swedish

engineer in 1939, was the first commercialized composting

toilet, but there are now more contemporary models that look,

more or less, like any other toilet and require no bulky com-

dual-flush toilets have two flush options, one for solid waste and

posting chamber below the floor.

another for liquid. These water-saving toilets have been standard

in europe for years.

The BioLet 10, for example, uses no water, has no septic

hookup, and is designed for full-time use by a household of

three people (other models can handle larger crowds). Waste

Composting toilets are an obvious choice where a standard

biodegrades quickly thanks to a fan that circulates air through

toilet is impractical, either because water is that scarce or

the fixture and a thermostatically controlled heater that

because conventional waste disposal isn’t available. Yet the

together reduce the waste volume by more than 90 percent

compact design and nonthreatening aesthetics make them a

and turns it into humus you empty every couple of months.

viable choice in an everyday bathroom, too. What you save in

Nonelectric models also are available. In both types, positive

water bills, however, will be somewhat offset by costs: the Bio-

air flow controls odor.

Let retails for about $1,800.

64 Fixtures

above • High-efficiency toilets, like this one made by American

Standard, don’t look any different than a conventional toilet, but

they use a lot less water.

right • Composting toilets break down waste naturally. modern

designs control odor effectively.

Fixtures 65

urinals and Bidets

It’s been several years since The New York Times

broke the news that urinals were becoming increas-

ingly common in high-end bathrooms. If that hasn’t

amounted to a tidal wave of interest, urinals may yet

catch on simply because they’re so practical.

Urinals also are a lot more interesting visually than

what you’ll find in public restrooms. Philip Watts

Design, Villeroy & Boch, Duravit, and Kohler offer

contemporary designs. Urinals use less water than

even a dual-flush toilet; waterless models also are

available from several manufactures.

BideTS

A mistake involving proper use of a bidet produced

a memorable scene in Henry Miller’s Tropic of

Cancer, but it’s understandable given the slow

acceptance outside Europe of this French invention.

Bidets are still the exception rather than the rule in

American bathrooms, but they are more useful and

practical than many give them credit for.

A bidet is a low basin where you can wash up after

using the toilet. They’re useful for both men and

women, and they’re available in a variety of styles

from most major fixture manufacturers.

Bidets are often installed next to the toilet, so they

are not practical for very small bathrooms. But

where there is enough floor space, they’re a sensible

addition.

above right • Toto has combined the functions of a toilet and a

bidet in a single unit.

right • installing a bidet next to the toilet is the height of

practicality, at least in a bathroom with enough floor space to

accommodate them.

66 Fixtures

above • Urinals are a single-gender

fixture, but they help to keep

bathrooms cleaner, especially if there

are young boys in the house.

above left • Toilet/bidet combinations

can be very contemporary in design.

left • While still uncommon in the

United States, bidets have a variety

of hygienic advantages and can be

installed next to the toilet.

Fixtures 67

P U T T i n g i T A l l T o g e T H e R

Better, Not Bigger

A more thoughtful use of the existing footprint rather than an

expansion improved this children’s bathroom in a turn-of-the-

century Victorian home.

While a simple color palette is best in a small space to keep it

from feeling cluttered, it doesn’t have to be stark, as is evidenced

here. Understated glass accent tiles add just enough color to white

subway tile wainscoting that surrounds the room and comple-

ments the light green paint.

Dark cabinet knobs and pulls as well as the tile floor seem to

march the eye toward the centerpiece of the space—a new walk-

in shower. It took the place of a corner tub that was rarely used.

The large shower is separated from the rest of the bathroom

with a frosted glass window and swinging door. The painted trim

framing the window and door helps connect the shower visually

with the rest of the room; inside the shower, a marble bench and

shelves match the vanity top.

While new millwork helped unify the room, new cabinetry pro-

vided more storage for the three children who use the bathroom.

left and right • A row

of accent tile at

the top of the tile

wainscoting is a

simple but effective

detail that picks up

on the color of the

painted upper walls.

68 Fixtures

above and left • A large

shower replaced a seldom-

used tub at one end of the

renovated space. A frosted

glass door and window

admit plenty of light.

Fixtures 69

Tubs and

Bathing is both pleasure and a practical necessity. Tub choices range from

deep Japanese-style soakers to period claw-foots, while showers offer

an unrivaled opportunity for custom sizes and shapes.

showers

A generation or two ago, many American households

were equipped with a simple 5-ft. tub that, with a

curtain, doubled as a shower. It was practical if a

little predictable. These days, there is a far broader

range of options in both period and contemporary

styles; you can find something to match virtually any

architectural style, budget, and floor plan.

Although tubs are still common, some designers are

steering homeowners toward oversize custom showers

instead. The impressive range of finish materials now

on the market includes glass and stone tile and even

pebble surfaces, making it easier for homeowners to

come up with designs that are uniquely their own.

above • A tub that also can be used as a shower makes sense when there

isn’t enough room for two dedicated fixtures.

left • With its high back, a slipper tub is an invitation for a long soak while complementing the beadboard wainscoting and other period details.

72 Tubs and Showers

above • Pairing a large shower with a large

tub is the best of both worlds—a shower

for convenience, a tub for relaxing.

left • Deep soaking tubs modeled after

traditional Japanese tubs are designed for

soaking in water up to the chin.

Tubs and Showers 73

bathtubs

Showers may be fast and convenient, but you’ll still

find a bathtub in most American homes. Even if

you choose an oversize shower instead of a tub in

the master bath, at least one bathroom in the house

should have a tub for washing children, for taking a

long if only occasional soak, and to protect the resale

value of the house.

The standard 60-in.-long tub is a minimum; it

doesn’t take up much room even in a smaller guest

bath, and a gelcoat or acrylic shower/tub combina-

tion isn’t especially expensive. There are, of course,

many other options, ranging from jetted tubs and

deep, Japanese-style soaking tubs to old-fashioned

slipper tubs perfect in a period home and very mod-

ern tubs equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs),

for what manufacturers call “chromatherapy.” Mate-

rials run the gamut, too: plastic, porcelain over cast

iron, wood, enameled steel, and copper or bronze.

There is one caveat: big tubs can get very heavy.

A large tub, 4 ft. by 5 ft. and 34 in. deep, can hold

more than 100 gal. of water and weigh more than a

half-ton when filled. In both new construction and a

renovation, make sure the floor framing is designed

for this kind of load.

WhirlPool Tubs

Large, jetted (or whirlpool) bathtubs have become

commonplace, installed automatically by some

builders because they assume buyers want them and

frequently requested by homeowners in bathroom

remodels. There are many brands and types on the

market, but before going shopping, be realistic about

above • building a tub into a nook is one way of making it less obtrusive

visually.

whether the tub will get enough use to justify its

expense and the floor space it takes up. Another con-

facing page, bottom • When space permits, a large soaking tub can become

the focal point of the bathroom.

sideration: does your existing hot-water heater have

enough capacity to fill it?

74 Tubs and Showers

Some homeowners love these tubs, and it’s easy to

see why. A soak in a whirlpool tub can do a lot to

relieve the aches and pains of everyday life. Nozzles

in the walls pump water against the bather for a

massagelike experience. In some tubs, the jets can be

adjusted for both direction and water volume. The

number and location of jets varies by manufacturer.

Tubs with in-line heaters will keep water at a com-

fortable temperature while you’re relaxing.

Be aware, though, that there’s some maintenance

involved with owning a whirlpool. Plumbing and

pumps periodically should be cleared of accumu-

lated dirt, soap, body oils and shampoo. Good House-

keeping magazine recommends this procedure at

least once a month, but it’s pretty simple: Fill the tub

above • Claw-foot tubs are typically of one color, but finishing the lower half of this one in a with hot water, add disinfectant, and circulate water

dark color helps make it seem a little less massive.

through the system.

Air-JeT Tubs

In an air-jet tub, streams of tiny bubbles instead of

water are forced from small openings in the walls of

the tub. Some models allow the intensity of the air

streams to be adjusted, to let the bather target a sore

back or tired feet, for example. Because bath water

isn’t circulated through the tub’s internal plumbing,

air-jet tubs don’t need the disinfecting that whirl-

pools do. Some manufacturers’ air-jet tubs clear the

lines of any residual water automatically when the

tub is drained. And air-jet tubs aren’t as complex as

whirlpools so they’re less prone to problems.

Some users find the streams of air bubbles less

intense than a water-jetted tub, and they say the air

jets noticeably cool the bath water. Water-jetted tubs

can overcome this problem with in-line heaters that

keep tub water at a constant temperature. If you’re

trying to decide between the two types of jetted tubs,

it would be a good idea to discuss these issues with

your designer.

above right • Jetted tubs

come in a variety of shapes

and sizes, including models

that take up no more room

than a standard 60-in.

bathtub.

right • Tubs may use either

water or air jets, and some

models combine both

features in a single unit.

76 Tubs and Showers

soaking in a jetted tub with a view is a

great way to relax. For everyday use, an

adjacent shower may be more practical.

Tubs and Showers 77

soAking Tubs

Bathing traditions in Japan are very different than

in the U.S. The traditional soaking tub, or ofuro, is

deeper than the tubs we’re used to seeing. The idea

behind these tubs is soaking, not washing. In fact,

you climb in and relax after cleaning yourself thor-

oughly in an adjacent bathing area. Not all of those

traditions will necessarily translate to bathrooms in

the United States, but Japanese-style tubs are widely

available here and made from a variety of materi-

als. These include wood, the traditional material in

Japan, as well as acrylic, stainless steel, copper, and,

in a custom installation, concrete.

Like the larger whirlpool and air-jet tubs, soak-

ing tubs can hold a lot of water, and they are deep

enough to allow the bather to sit upright with water

at chin height. Because their shape is not as elon-

gated as a conventional bathtub, they don’t take

up as much floor area. Their depth may require

either an external step or a design that sinks the tub

at least partway into the floor to make it easier to get

in and out.

right • in this large

bathroom, the bathtub and

shower each has a separate

zone with a vanity and

mirror between them.

78 Tubs and Showers

above • large windows over the

tub flood this bathroom with

light but can be covered with

roll-down shades when privacy

is required.

left • When built into a

tiled surround, even a large

soaking tub retreats into the

background, and the tub deck

provides room for towels and

toiletries.

Tubs and Showers 79

Color TherAPy Tubs

If an air-jet or whirlpool tub isn’t soothing enough on its

own, you can always move up to a bathtub that simulta-

neously provides color therapy, or “chromatherapy,” and

a gentle massage. Chromatherapy is a form of holistic

medicine that uses color to promote emotional and

physical well-being. Tubs with this feature incorporate

light-emitting diodes that on command emit a range of

colors. Controls allow the bather to choose the color

that best suits his or her mood.

Tubs WiTh Doors

Older people and those with a disability may find it dif-

ficult to get in and out of a conventional bathtub. One

solution is a walk-in tub with a built-in door. With the

door open, the bather steps over a very low curb, takes a

seat, closes the door, and fills the tub. Walk-in tubs are

manufactured by several companies and available with

doors that swing in or out. An in-swinging door would

make more sense in a cramped bathroom where clear-

ance is a problem. One argument against them is that

the tubs are harder to exit in an emergency because all

or most of the water has to drain from the tub before

the door can be opened. However, in its favor, an in-

swinging door is pushed against its seal by the weight of

the water, making a catastrophic leak unlikely.

Walk-in tubs are typically more compact than conven-

tional bathtubs (and also more expensive). With an

integral seat, they are designed along the lines of a deep

soaking tub.

above right • kohler and American standard are

among manufacturers that offer tubs with built-

in leDs. Colored lights are intended to promote

both emotional and physical health.

right • A walk-in tub is ideal for someone

who finds it difficult to climb in and out of a

conventional bathtub. Doors may open in or out,

depending on the manufacturer.

80 Tubs and Showers

left • The broad ledge around the lip of this tub

doubles as a seat for the adjacent shower. locating

fixtures next to each other keeps all the wet in one

part of the room.

above • A narrow foyer at one end of this bathroom

is sized perfectly for a large built-in tub. The

green ceramic tile used for the surround gives the

installation some pop.

Tubs and Showers 81

T h e e s s e n T i A l s

bathtubs

Tubs are made with a variety of materi-

CulTureD mArble

als. In general, the more you spend, the

$$

more durable the tub should be. Cop-

• Tubs are made with a mixture of marble dust

and plastic resins to resemble the look of stone.

per, bronze, and stainless-steel fixtures

• Some manufacturers offer to make shower

are the most costly.

surrounds and sinks at the same time for a good

color match throughout the bathroom.

FiberglAss/gelCoAT

$

• As with other fixtures, choose the right cleaner

to avoid damaging the surface.

• A mold is sprayed with a thin layer of polyester

resin called gelcoat, then layers of fiberglass

PorCelAin enAmel over CAsT iron

are added for strength.

$$-$$$

• Resists stains, but the topcoat is thinner and

not as durable as other plastic options, such

• Extremely durable but also heavy.

as acrylic.

• Surface is nonporous, stain resistant, and easy

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on

to keep clean.

cleaning to avoid damaging the surface.

• The process in which the enamel is bonded to

the cast-iron core produces deep, vivid colors.

PorCelAin over sTeel

• Mass of cast iron helps maintain water

$

temperature.

• Porcelain enamel is fused with heat to a

substrate of sheet steel formed into a tub.

CoPPer, bronze, AnD sTAinless

sTeel

• Lighter in weight than cast-iron tubs, but not

as durable.

$$$

• Porcelain is easy to keep clean and resists

• Very expensive, but also extremely durable.

stains, but any nicks or cracks in the surface

• Retain heat like cast iron.

will allow the steel tub to rust.

• Not susceptible to corrosion, but some metal

surfaces require polishing to maintain their

ACryliC

original luster.

$$

• Made by forming sheets of acrylic in a vacuum

mold and reinforcing the tub with fiberglass.

• More durable than fiberglass/gelcoat with a

thicker color layer so minor scratches won’t be

obvious.

• Like fiberglass/gelcoat, acrylic should not be

cleaned with harsh, abrasive cleaners.

82 Tubs and Showers

above • A freestanding tub is more of a design element in a bathroom

than a tub hidden by a surround.

left • Allowing floor tile to lap up the side of the tub surround is an

effective way of making the bathroom feel cohesive.

Tubs and Showers 83

Freestanding Tubs

Nothing complements period décor in an old house

better than an old bathtub, or at least one that looks old:

a claw-foot or a slipper tub. A claw-foot tub sits on deco-

rative cast-iron feet and has exposed supply and drain

lines at one end. A slipper tub is very similar, except that

one end swoops up to provide a comfortable back rest.

Double-ended slipper tubs are raised at each end.

Yet another variation on this basic design is a pedestal

tub, which has a solid pedestal instead of individual

feet for support.

Vintage tubs can still be found, but reproductions in

both cast iron and acrylic also are available from a num-

ber of suppliers. Claw-foot tubs are a little deeper than a

standard tub and sometimes shorter, so they’re not only

good for a soak but also can be incorporated into a small

bathroom, an advantage in many older homes. In a

chilly, drafty bathroom, though, all that exposed cast iron

cools bath water quickly, and because of their height,

above • This contemporary soaking tub exemplifies the wide variety that’s

freestanding tubs are somewhat more difficult to climb

available. When choosing a tub with this much capacity, however, consider

into and out of, making them a second choice if you’re

its weight, the floor framing, and the capacity of the hot-water heater.

remodeling to age in place.

Refinishing an Old Tub

Porcelain enamel fired at high temperatures is a very tough finish that should last for decades if it’s cleaned and cared for properly. With intense heat, the porcelain fuses with the cast iron and makes a smooth, durable surface. But it’s not indestructible, and in time the porcelain can be chipped, stained, or worn away. Many an old tub has been discarded for these reasons, but it’s also possible to refinish an old bathtub and bring it back to near-new condition at a much lower cost than replacement.

Repairs can be done in about a day without removing the tub. Technicians clean and prep the surface, fill any chips or surface defects, and spray on several coats of acrylic urethane enamel. The Bathtub Refinishing Association of America, a trade group, maintains a database of refinishers on its Web site that is searchable by state (www.braoa.org). Although the listings are skimpy for some states, it’s a place to start.

In addition to in-place repairs, some companies remove the old finish entirely, recoat the cast iron with porcelain enamel, and fire the tub in an oven for a finish that should be nearly like the original.

Because of the expense of removing, shipping, and reinstalling the tub, it would have to be special to warrant that kind of attention and may make more sense for a smaller fixture, such as a sink.

84 Tubs and Showers

A claw-foot tub with its

exposed supply valves

and drain lines is a

perfect complement to

this period bathroom.

Tubs and Showers 85

P u T T i n g i T A l l T o g e T h e r

borrowing space

allows a bath to Grow

Sam likes showers; Vivien likes baths. To make

enough room for a separate shower and tub, space was

borrowed from an adjacent utility room and closet to

create the expanded master bath.

“The main challenge for the floor plan was space,”

says designer Debbie Cleary. “Luckily there was a bit

of unused space on the other side of the bathroom,

which I was able to take advantage of.”

The enlarged space still seemed on the small side,

so Cleary added a pair of windows to an exterior

wall over the new tub and installed a mirror on the

opposite wall to let in more light and provide views of

Sam’s garden outside. Cleary also used a sliding door

with a translucent panel, rather than a solid, swinging

door, to help the bathroom feel roomier. It’s tricks like

these that help a room appear larger even though the

footprint of the space might not have changed.

The toilet is tucked around the corner from the door,

so when you look into the bathroom you see an open,

inviting space with a tub plus a view of the garden.

Vivien’s choice of green, glossy tiles helps to reflect

incoming natural light. Black and cream round out

the simple color palette.

A pocket door replaces a

standard swinging door, making

the most of limited floor area.

86 Tubs and Showers

This redesigned bath

borrowed space from an

adjacent utility area to

make room for both a

tub and a large shower.

Closet

Utility

Utility

Bath

Bath

Walk-in closet

Walk-in closet

Master bedroom

Master bedroom

beFore

AFTer

Tubs and Showers 87

showers

Many designers have their doubts about the practi-

left • minimal glass walls

cality of oversize whirlpool tubs; they simply don’t

and an oversize panel of

opaque glass help blend

get used as often as people expect. When Alan Asar-

this inviting shower

now, a certified master designer at the New Jersey

seamlessly into the room.

firm of Ulrich, Inc., designs a bathroom, he starts by

below • A full-height glass

asking his clients whether they’re in the habit of tak-

panel separates inside and

outside showers at a house

ing lengthy baths—not once in a while, but on a reg-

where backyard privacy

ular basis. If not, he suggests they consider a “really

isn’t a concern.

comfortable, really luxurious” shower instead. More

homeowners seem to be taking the point. Oversize

showers with built-in nooks for toiletries plus a seat

or bench are more common than ever in large mas-

ter baths, and custom showers are often paired with

jetted or soaking tubs.

Inventive designers have helped reshape a standard

shower into something far more interesting. Stone

and ceramic tile, colorful glass mosaics, glass block,

and sheets of tempered glass all have the potential to

make showers seem light, airy, and spacious. Some

showers in master baths are quite large, big enough

to accommodate two people. Even when the foot-

print is small, careful materials selection can make

these showers the focal point of the bathroom.

A shower need not be huge to be useful. Whether

they are manufactured units or made on-site with

a standard tub and a tile surround, combination

tub/showers will probably remain a mainstay in

many American homes. They meld two essentials

in a single, moderately priced fixture that doesn’t

take up much space. They’re an obvious choice in

smaller homes where there isn’t enough room for a

separate tub and shower. And even if many people

opt for a quick shower instead of using the tub, it’s

not a good idea to do away with a tub altogether.

Families with small children need a tub, and almost

anyone could use a therapeutic soak once in a while.

For these reasons, combination tub/showers are an

option worth exploring if only for a guest bath.

88 Tubs and Showers

A window with frosted glass provides

privacy yet still admits lots of natural

light into this oversized shower. The

transom light above has clear glazing.

A contemporary shower design in multicolored tile leaps into the

room. Although not every bathroom will have the space, including

a tub with an adjoining shower is the best of both worlds.

Tubs and Showers 89

eAsy-ACCess shoWers

Some of the most appealing shower designs are curbless, easy-

access showers that are integrated with the rest of the bathroom;

that is, no curb, no curtain, and no wall between the shower

and the rest of the room. Showers like these take extra planning

because the entire bathroom floor, or at least a good portion of

it, becomes an extra-large shower pan that must be watertight.

Curbless showers are an important feature of accessible-design

bathrooms, covered in more detail on pp. 20–29.

Visually, curbless showers help a bathroom get beyond a sense of

compartmentalization and thus seem larger and more relaxed.

Unlike conventional tub and shower combination units that come

in standard sizes, there’s no set formula for an easy-access shower.

The exact dimensions and layout are obviously dependent on the

overall size of the bathroom but also on how much of the floor

space you want to turn into a wet area. Even very small bath-

rooms can incorporate curbless showers when the whole room

becomes, in effect, the shower pan with a centrally located drain

that serves the whole floor.

It may be more practical to set aside a portion of the room and

use a partial wall to keep water from splashing all over the room.

Or, as in the case of the photo at right, a wall can define a bath-

ing area that includes both a curbless shower and a tub.

In a conventional shower, only the shower pan itself must be

sloped to direct water to the drain. In curbless designs, this gets

a little more complicated because the floor of the shower area

must be lower than the floor in the balance of the room. It’s that

or have shower water creeping under the door and down the hall.

This is not a standard detail and will require extra planning on

the part of the framer and is a detail much better suited to new

construction than a renovation.

Incorporating a curbless shower requires a conversation with the

builder very early in the construction process so he can plan appro-

priately. The time to broach the idea is not when the floor has

been framed and the plumber or tile setter is about to start work.

90 Tubs and Showers

above • Without a conventional curb, this

shower is barrier free. A vertical panel

limits splashing, but even if some water

escapes, the tile floor can handle it.

left • A gracefully curved wall divides the

bathing area from the rest of the bathroom.

Water drains from a central point in the wet

area, thanks to a carefully pitched floor.

right • A combination of natural stone and

ceramic tile makes this shower an inviting

corner of the bathroom. The change in

tile used for the shower floor is repeated

throughout the shower space, helping

it to feel cohesive even while it’s open

to the room.

Tubs and Showers 91

Combination

Tub/showers

Combination tub/showers can be purchased as manufac-

tured plastic units or assembled on-site from a tub and

a tile surround. In period homes, a simple curtain rod

encircling a claw-foot tub may be all that’s required.

Of the many options, manufactured combination

tub/showers are somewhat easier to keep clean and

require less maintenance, thanks to their full-height

walls that minimize the risk of water damage. Tiled

shower surrounds, however, offer a much greater oppor-

tunity for creative mixes of color and texture.

right • An old-fashioned tub, china

console, and coordinating fabric shower

curtain and window treatment together

spell period bathroom.

DeTAils ThAT Work

Built-In Storage

With a little forethought, a

shallow niche built into the wall

offers a convenient place for

storing clean towels and a tilt-

out hamper for dirty clothes.

left • Combining a bathtub and shower is a good option

in a household with small children and when space is

tight. manufactured plastic fixtures are economical and

readily available. Another option is a conventional tub

with a tile surround.

92 Tubs and Showers

simple can be appealing,

too. White subway tiles

installed vertically

complement the

beadboard wainscoting

and make a clean, easy-

to-care-for surface.

Tubs and Showers 93

D e s i g n g A l l e r y

niches

For a few bucks you can buy a wire rack and hang it over the

shower arm to store soap and shampoo. It’s perfectly serviceable,

but shower niches are neater and take up less room. Recessed

into the shower wall, a niche can incorporate one or more shelves

and tile or stone that contrasts in color or texture with the rest of

the shower.

1

Niches are set between studs in the wall framing and can be built

to a custom size or purchased as a preformed insert. However it’s

done, keeping the installation waterproof is essential. A leaky

niche will allow water to get behind the tile backerboard and

cause long-term problems, so the tile setter has to take care in

choosing the right materials and installing them correctly. Several

manufacturers offer specialty products for this purpose.

The tiler also should lay out the niche so its edges line up with

grout lines in the rest of the tile wall; this is more finished

looking than having the sides of the niche land haphazardly on

the field tile. If that’s not possible, a border can help make the

problem go away.

3

2

1. Using a contrasting color and tile size in the back wall of this

niche helps it stand out from the field tiles in the shower wall.

2. The more gentle contrast in color and the lack of a border around

the edge gives this niche an entirely different look. 3. Niches offer

an opportunity for creativity and don’t have to be strictly rectilinear.

4. A horizontal niche over a tub is accentuated by a pattern of

different tile shapes and sizes. 5. This shallow niche was designed

to blend in with the wall. 6. More generously sized niches can store

more than toiletries. Glass shelves keep the overall feel light.

3

94 Tubs and Showers

4

6

5

Tubs and Showers 95

showerheads

If bath designers are squeezing more potential out

of the shower, they’re getting a boost from manufac-

turers who make faucets, showerheads, and other

controls. While federal law limits the volume of

water that can be delivered by a single fixture to

2.5 gallons per minute, the variety of water delivery

options has grown substantially. In addition to the

utilitarian water-saver showerhead, there are over-

size showerheads that mimic rainfall, multifunction

showerheads, and handheld showers, all of which

offer more versatility.

A single shower equipped with multiple showerheads

uses a lot of water, but some people like them none-

theless. Installing several showerheads is one way of

skirting the federal edict on water consumption.

A practical argument in favor of a multihead setup

is in a bathroom that will be used by someone who

uses a wheelchair or needs to shower while seated.

Having a showerhead at a lower-than-standard

height, in addition to a conventionally located shower-

head, also would be useful for children. As long as

the heads aren’t being used at the same time there’s

no net gain in water consumption, so no foul on the

conservation front.

If you’re planning on this kind of shower, make sure

to talk about it with your plumber well in advance,

while there’s still time to run extra supply lines to the

bathroom. Running more than one showerhead from

a single, standard-size supply line will produce more

dribble than pizzazz. Also, check with your plumber

whether the size of the water heater should be

increased to handle the added load. These big “per-

formance showers,” as they are called, consume hot

water at two or three times that of a normal shower,

so you might need a dedicated hot water heater.

above • showers with a number of water outlets are not uncommon, but

they require a water heater and water-supply lines that can handle the

load. if water conservation is a concern, skip it altogether.

96 Tubs and Showers

above • showerheads can be sculptural in shape.

above • An oversized showerhead and a single control make a

simple, uncluttered installation.

above • Two showerheads provide dual action. The large showerhead

above • This square showerhead delivers a gentle spray pattern.

delivers a gentle rainlike spray, while the smaller one in the background

provides a more brisk pattern.

Tubs and Showers 97

P u T T i n g i T A l l T o g e T h e r

Finding space

under the eaves

The new owners of a long, narrow carriage house in

Philadelphia wanted to modernize the house without

degrading its 19th-century charm or making its foot-

print any bigger.

To create more space on the second floor for a

reworked master bedroom and bath, Krieger + Associ-

ates Architects added eight new shed dormers to the

roof. By borrowing some room from the existing master

bedroom and a closet, the plan cleared the way for a

new, 15-ft.-long master bath.

A dormer at the center of the room provided

ample headroom for a large tub and a shower. The

glass shower enclosure helps keep the room from

seeming small.

The sink vanity and toilet are located at opposite ends

of the room, outside the bounds of the dormer, where

headroom is limited. Instead of enclosing the toilet

behind a door, the architects separated it from the rest

of the bathroom with a half wall that provides some

privacy. A glass panel behind the toilet helps to brighten

the corner.

To heat the new bathroom, Krieger considered several

low-profile radiators but were reluctant to give up any

wall space or make any compromises on appearance.

Their solution was a pair of Myson towel warmers that

could be mounted on the granite deck of the tub. In

addition to a small section of baseboard heat near the

toilet, the hydronic warmers have enough output to

keep the room comfortable.

The new vanity occupies a niche on one side of the room. A large

mirror reflects light from dormer windows and helps the room

feel spacious.

98 Tubs and Showers

above • A pocket door entry minimizes the loss of floor

space in this narrow area.

above • hydronic towel warmers provide enough

heat to supplement a small baseboard heater.

Plus, they’re beautiful and practical.

left • A half wall separates the toilet from the rest

of the bathroom. The large stone and glass panel

add texture and color.

Tubs and Showers 99

floors,

Finish materials for bathroom floors, walls,

and ceilings include everything from wood to glass tile.

wall

s &

Durability and water resistance are key,

while color and texture can help define the room.

ceilings

With the possible exception of the kitchen, nowhere in the

house do surface materials get a tougher workout than in the

bathroom. There not only is a lot of foot traffic and wear and

tear that comes with constant use, but also an unending expo-

sure to surface water and high humidity.

In choosing finish materials for floors, walls, and ceilings,

durability and water resistance are more important than any-

thing else. Yet these surfaces also play a key visual role, mak-

ing color and texture important considerations as well.

The great variety of materials on the market makes it possible

to get both high performance and the right look. Although it’s

certainly possible to spend a lot of money on high-end materi-

als, it’s not absolutely necessary.

above • Hand-painted surfaces are unique. Although more expensive than conventional finishes, a mural is an opportunity for creativity and fun.

above right • Wood has certain drawbacks as a finish material in the

bathroom, particularly for flooring. But there’s no denying its visual

warmth, and it’s often a perfect match in period or less formal homes.

right • Texture is key in this combination of pebbled surfaces on both the

wall and floor. The walls need no further decoration.

facing page • Multicolored tiles used on both the floor and walls of this

bathroom are a powerful unifier. A spare vanity with an open base lets the

tile take center stage.

102 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

T H e e S S e n T i A l S

floors

Flooring

Water resistance is key, but especially in a bathroom

The best bathroom fl oors are impervious to water, hold up

where splashing in the tub or at the sink is expected, such

well to wear and tear, and have enough texture so they’re not

as in a child’s bath. If that’s not likely, color and texture

overly slippery when wet.

may be more important considerations. In all categories

A number of materials can make that claim but none more

of fl ooring, prices vary widely. Basic ceramic tile, for

convincingly than porcelain or ceramic tile and natural stone.

example, is available at relatively low prices at home

Neither should ever wear out, at least in the conventional

centers or tile stores, while some glass and art tile can get

sense of the word, and will succumb to changes in fashion far

very pricey.

sooner than to damage from daily use.

With the exception of bath mats or modestly sized throw

VinYl

$

rugs, carpet is about the only conventional fl oor covering that

should absolutely be avoided in the bathroom. Just about any-

• Comfortable underfoot.

• Great variety in patterns and colors.

thing else is worth considering, depending on your budget and

• Relatively inexpensive but not as durable as stone or ceramic tile.

particular circumstances. That leaves vinyl, linoleum, wood

• If choosing vinyl, look for “inlaid” material, meaning the color goes

and engineered wood, cork, and laminate. None of them

all the way through the flooring.

really measures up to stone or tile for a bathroom, but they all

• Available in tile and plank form as well as sheets.

have something to offer, often at a lower price.

• Highly stain resistant and impervious to water.

• Softeners called phthalates pose health risks, according to some

environmental groups.

• Vinyl tile can be installed by DIYers, but where standing water is

likely, choose sheet vinyl to minimize the number of seams.

VINYL

lAMinATe

$

• Snap-together installation is fast.

• Inexpensive.

• Sold in many wood look-alike patterns.

• Top wear layer is durable, but fiberboard core will swell when

exposed to water damage so use around tubs, toilets, and sinks

with caution and keep all perimeter edges caulked and sealed.

• Standing water needs to be cleaned up promptly.

Wood fl ooring is warm underfoot, but the fi nish must be maintained

scrupulously, especially around a tub or shower, to prevent water damage.

104 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

WOOD

WOOD

$-$$

CORK

• Warm underfoot.

COrk AnD linOleuM

• Can be stained to virtually any color.

$$

• Visually appealing and well suited for period homes.

• Resilient flooring with better environmental credits than vinyl.

• Can be purchased prefinished.

• Warm and forgiving underfoot.

• Not a good choice around tubs, sinks, and toilets unless

• Made mostly from natural and benign materials. Cork, for

the finish is maintained and edges are caulked and sealed.

example, is sustainably harvested bark of the cork oak.

• Shrinks and expands seasonally with changes in indoor

• Naturally biodegradable.

humidity. Gaps between individual planks can widen in

• Available in tile and sheet form.

winter, and boards may cup in summer if the flooring is

laid too tightly.

• More expensive than vinyl and requires more care.

engineereD WOOD

$$

• Made from a layer of wood over a plywood core.

• Same advantages as solid wood flooring, but more

dimensionally stable and less likely to shrink and expand

with changes in humidity.

• Can be purchased prefinished, but water resistance will be

higher if finished after installation.

• Like solid wood, not the best choice in a bathroom if

frequent wetting and standing water are likely.

TILE

STOne

$$-$$$

Tile

• Long-wearing natural material with great visual appeal.

$-$$

• Wide range of colors and textures on the market.

• Huge variety in color, texture, and surface appearance.

• Some polished stone is very slippery when wet.

• Offers great design flexibility.

• Thick stone may require heavier than usual floor framing.

• Extremely durable.

• Most types of stone should be sealed periodically to

• Very low maintenance.

prevent stains.

• Ceramic and porcelain tiles are resistant to stains and moisture.

• Grout between stones may stain if left unsealed.

• Requires stiff floor framing to prevent cracking.

• Without source of heat below, it is cold underfoot.

• Grout should be sealed to prevent stains and mildew.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 105

Tile

Few materials make more sense in the bathroom

than tile. Its broad range of colors, sizes, and pat-

terns, combined with its water and stain resistance

and durability, all help make it a good choice.

Tiles of different colors or sizes can be combined

in the same floor—a white-and-black checkerboard,

for example, or a mosaic pattern set in a plain

field—making this material extremely versatile from

a design standpoint. Introducing a few fancy tiles in

an otherwise plain floor is one way of jazzing up the

room at a relatively low cost. In an older house, a

skillful tile-setter can help camouflage out-of-square

corners or uneven walls.

Ceramic and porcelain tile are fired at high tem-

peratures, making them highly resistant to water

absorption and stains. Unglazed terra-cotta tile, on

the other hand, is much more porous and should be

sealed to keep out water.

One thing tile doesn’t like is too much flex in the

floor. The larger the tile, the greater the risk of

cracking. In an older home, where floor framing is

sometimes undersized, an existing floor may have

too much bounce. In that case, floor joists may need

reinforcement before a tile floor can be installed

successfully. Special membranes, such as Schluter®-

Ditra, installed between the tile and the subflooring

can help isolate tile, or “uncouple” it, from damag-

ing movement in the substrate.

above right • White ceramic tile with contrasting

squares set at each corner make an attractive

surface that’s relatively easy to create.

right • Tile laid in a diagonal pattern can help

make a smaller space seem larger.

106 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

above • large ceramic tile in different sizes can look like stone.

Choosing tile of the same color for the shower walls and ceiling

helps pull the room together.

left • One of the greatest advantages of tile is its versatility.

Different sizes and shapes can be combined to create virtually

any effect, such as this woven carpetlike pattern encircled with

a dark border.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 107

Tile doesn’t require much if any maintenance

beyond regular cleaning, and its hard, nonporous

surface makes that a fairly simple process. Grout,

however, is another story. Unlike the surface of tile

itself, grouts containing sand will absorb water and

can stain or support the growth of mildew. Grout

lines should be sealed, and periodically resealed, to

prevent these problems.

Should a tile crack or chip, which can happen even

though tile is very durable, it can be replaced with-

out disturbing the remainder of the floor. This is a

real advantage, but only if a replacement tile of the

same color is available. Because tile manufacturers

may not always carry the exact same color or pattern,

it’s a good idea to tuck a few spares away when the

tile is originally set.

The biggest drawback to tile is that it can be slip-

pery when wet. If that’s a special concern, look for

tile with a high coefficient of friction, or COF. The

higher the number, the more resistant the surface is

to slips. The American with Disabilities Act suggests

a minimum COF of 0.6.

above right • This deep green floor tile helps the room feel

grounded, but dark tile doesn’t reflect as much light as white

and off-white tile, a consideration in a small room without

much natural light.

right • Mosaic tile used on both floor and wall gives this bath

a unified, cohesive feeling, an effect that’s amplified by a

complementary color on the vanity.

facing page, left • Tile can be its own rug. Patterns created with

accent tile in the center of the room and the toilet room have

the appeal of a throw rug but zero chance of mold or water

damage.

108 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

above • These large, rectangular tiles have a slab-like appearance and balance the lighter colors elsewhere in the room.

Keeping Tile Warm

Tile and stone floors can be cold underfoot,

appealing on a hot summer day but not so nice

in January. Houses heated with radiant-floor hot

water systems won’t have this problem, and a good

substitute in homes with more conventional heating

systems is an electric mat beneath the tile surface.

These mats contain a grid of electrical wires that

are controlled by a thermostat or timer. Mats, like

those made by Nuheat™, are bedded in a layer of

thinset adhesive with the tile installed on top of

that. They’re relatively inexpensive to run, especially

when used for short periods of time after a bath or

shower.

Installing an electric heating mat can be a DIY

project, but always consult a professional to make

sure wiring is done correctly and to code.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 109

P u T T i n g i T A l l T O g e T H e r

Making an old space

feel Modern

In new construction, spacious and efficient bathrooms can be

worked into the house from the start. But in existing houses, bath-

rooms sometimes need an imaginative redesign to become truly

functional.

A greenhouse addition to an antique cape in Falmouth, Maine,

presented that kind of challenge for Whipple-Callender Archi-

tects. The homeowners loved the old part of the house, but the

addition, which had been remodeled to house the kitchen and

master bathroom, wasn’t working. Not only was the master bath

on a balcony that overlooked the kitchen, but the old greenhouse

cum living space provided little in the way of thermal or acousti-

cal insulation from the elements.

For their redesigned master bath, the owners asked for double

sinks, a soaking tub, and a large shower—things that would typi-

cally be included in a newly constructed master bath. The bath-

room had to be accessible from the bedroom as well as a sleeping

porch, and while the owners wanted a view of the ocean, they also

needed privacy from a nearby yacht club. They liked the feel of a

Maine cottage and suggested using beadboard wainscoting to help

create the effect.

The renovated bathroom has all that and more. While it still

overlooks an open family space below, there is more privacy and

a better connection to both a dressing room and nearby master

bedroom. A glassed shower provides views across the room toward

the ocean.

The architects started with a marble mosaic floor tile and found

a coordinating green wall tile that was made to look just like

beadboard, giving the owners the look they were after in a more

durable material that needs less maintenance. The new bathroom

is a peaceful place, with a mix of modern and traditional parts and

materials that are delightfully cohesive.

110 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

right • Wall tile that looks

like beadboard, used for

both the tub surround

and wainscoting, helps

create an informal

cottage flavor in this

Falmouth, Maine,

master bath.

facing page, top • A full-

width mirror over the

vanity, complemented by

graceful pendant lights,

reflects incoming light

and helps the room seem

spacious.

facing page, bottom •

The mosaic floor tile

picks up colors in the

tile wainscoting and

tub surround as well

as the trim.

The reworked bathroom

includes a double-sink vanity,

separate shower and tub, and

easy access to an adjacent

dressing room and bedroom.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 111

STOne

Stone has many of the same attributes as tile: it’s

hard, wear resistant, and available in many colors

and textures.

One of the most likable characteristics of stone is

its natural variegation and unpredictability, which

gives it a rich and lively appearance unmatched by

man-made materials. A broad range of colors is avail-

able, from the light hues of limestone to dark gray of

blue slate, so the impact on the rest of the room is

very flexible. Light-colored floors help make a room

feel spacious and open, while dark stone often has a

more formal look.

If you’re interested in building green, look for stone

that is quarried regionally if not locally to keep costs

and the environmental impact of transportation to a

above • earthy and unmistakable, small river rock makes an appealing floor surface that’s minimum.

less formal and more organic than polished stone. A variety of rock types are available on a mesh backing, simplifying installation even for DiYers.

Like tile, stone can be a mix-and-match installation,

with one color on the floor and another in a shower or

two types of stone combined in a pattern on the floor.

Stone is more expensive than basic ceramic tile, and

most should be sealed to keep out water and stains.

Also, stone, like tile, is intolerant of too much flex

in the floor. Where tile can be laid over a floor with

a maximum deflection of l/360 (that is, maximum

sag in the middle of the floor equals the width of the

floor divided by 360), stone often requires an even

stiffer assembly, more so the larger the stone pieces.

Thick pieces of stone set in a mortar bed may need

extra floor framing, joists set at 12 in. on center, for

example, rather than the more typical 16 in. on

center. It’s an issue to discuss well in advance with

your builder.

right • A pebbled surface can be combined

with ceramic tile, like this black path in

a field of white.

112 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Stone surfaces have natural

variations in color that

manufactured materials can

only mimic. Certain types of

stone, such as slate, also have a

rough texture that makes them

less slippery when wet.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 113

SOliD WOOD AnD

engineereD WOOD

Like stone, wood is a completely natural material

meaning that gaps between individual planks will

whose variations in color and texture are a big part

grow and shrink seasonally, and it’s susceptible to

of its appeal. Wood flooring is available in dozens of

water damage. Unless the surface is well sealed,

domestic and imported species, all with their own

water will discolor and eventually cause decay.

colors and personalities. Flooring is manufactured

Wood around a shower or toilet also may buckle

in solid plank form and as a more stable engineered

when continually exposed to moisture.

material consisting of plywoodlike laminations that

Engineered wood is more seasonally stable than

are glued together.

solid wood but it, too, has many of the same draw-

Solid wood has a number of practical strengths in

backs when it comes to standing water. In addition,

addition to its appearance. It’s resilient and warm

surface plies are relatively thin so it can be sanded

underfoot, and because it’s more flexible than stone

and refinished fewer times than solid wood.

or tile, it won’t crack when installed over subfloor-

Bamboo is another form of engineered wood floor-

ing with a little bounce. Wood can be sanded and

ing, even though it’s technically not a wood species.

refinished to produce a completely fresh surface,

While dimensionally stable, it carries the same

and it can easily be cut and shaped to fit out-of-

risks as any other form of wood when used in the

square rooms.

bathroom.

Wood flooring has two principal disadvantages:

it shrinks and expands with changes in humidity,

COrk AnD linOleuM

As interest in green products has increased, both

cork and linoleum have started to look more appeal-

ing. Cork is a totally natural material; it is the bark of

the cork oak tree that is harvested periodically with-

out damaging the tree. It’s resilient underfoot, thanks

to the tiny air bubbles it contains, and is a good

thermal insulator as well as sound deadener.

Vinyl flooring nearly killed the linoleum industry,

but linoleum is making a comeback and is now man-

ufactured by several companies. Linoleum is a mix

of linseed oil, wood flour, and other fairly benign

materials on a jute backing. Like cork, it comes in a

variety of forms (plank, sheet, and tile).

Both cork and linoleum need more care than sheet

vinyl, ceramic tile, or stone. Both should be well sealed

against water to prevent damage. In the bathroom,

choose an installation method that minimizes seams.

below • Whether it’s solid wood or engineered flooring, make

sure the surface is sealed with a quality floor finish and that

edges abutting showers, tubs, and toilets are well caulked.

above • Paired with a classic claw-foot bathtub, a

pine floor creates a soothing period look. Because

pine is relatively soft, it will collect nicks and

dings over time.

facing page • Wood can be stained to virtually

any color. The deep red-browns of this floor anchor

the room.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 115

VinYl AnD lAMinATe

While available in several grades, vinyl and laminate flooring

are at the low end of the cost range. Both have some practical

advantages, but neither is likely to last as long as several other

flooring options. Improved manufacturing techniques allow

these man-made surfaces to give more realistic impersonations

of stone and other materials. But in the end, they don’t look as

natural as the real thing.

Of the two, vinyl is a better bet for a bathroom floor from a

performance standpoint, mainly because the surface is un-

affected by water and, at least in sheet form, the floor doesn’t

present many cracks and crevices where water can collect.

In better grades of vinyl, the pattern or color goes all the way

through the material—called inlaid—so even in high-traffic

areas wear won’t be as obvious.

One concern with vinyl flooring is chemical additives called

phthalates. While they improve the working properties of the

plastic, some health activists and researchers suspect these

chemicals cause unwanted health consequences. (A study in

2009 raised the possibility of a connection between vinyl floor-

ing and a higher than expected rate of autism among a group

of children in Sweden.) Some environmental and health

groups would like to see a total ban on polyvinyl chloride

(PVC) products. Given the uncertainties, it’s probably a good

idea to look for a different type of flooring in a household

where toddlers crawl around on the floors.

Laminate flooring consists of a layer of plastic over a man-

made substrate like fiberboard. A printed film layer gives

flooring the look of another material, such as stone or tile.

Laminate flooring is a “floating” floor system, meaning it’s not

glued or nailed to the subfloor. Most types have tongue-and-

groove edges that snap together without glue.

Manufacturers have done a lot to improve the appearance

of laminate flooring, but the fiberboard core will swell if it

gets wet, so a certain amount of care should be taken if this

above • like other resilient flooring materials, vinyl flooring compresses a bit flooring is used in a bathroom. All perimeter seams should be

when walked on, making it feel good underfoot. One advantage to sheet vinyl

well caulked, and water shouldn’t be allowed to stand on the

over vinyl tiles is a lack of seams that would allow water intrusion.

floor for any length of time. For these reasons, it’s not the best

choice in a child’s bathroom.

116 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

above • laminate fl ooring (right) can be

made to look like natural wood, but it

can be damaged if the inner core gets

wet. Vinyl fl ooring also comes in tiles

(left), but the added number of seams

increases the risk of water damage.

left • Vinyl fl ooring can be manufactured

to have the look of tile but comes with

a lower initial cost; it also requires very

little maintenance.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 117

walls and ceilings

Finish surfaces for walls don’t take quite the abuse that flooring

does, but it’s still important to choose materials that are durable,

resistant to moisture, and easy to clean. Choices include painted or

wallpapered drywall, plaster, tile, and wood.

A key factor is how the bathroom will be used. What makes sense

in a powder room used only occasionally, and often by guests, prob-

ably won’t be the first choice in a child’s bath. In one, appearance

is everything; in the other, it’s all about performance.

Unless something special is planned for the ceiling—a coffered

wood ceiling, for instance—moisture-resistant drywall, or possibly

plaster, makes an excellent choice. A ceiling doesn’t have to be espe-

cially impact resistant, and as long as the bathroom has a good fan

above • Painted surfaces can be as bold as you like. The colorful drawing of for ventilation, these materials will be more than durable enough.

a fish is a perfect complement to the vivid green of these bathroom walls.

above • Wallpaper isn’t as popular as it once was, yet the enormous variety of above • Paneled wainscoting with a striking red border has a look that is

available patterns and colors makes it a good choice in a period home.

both traditional and lively. Paired with a stone tile floor, these surfaces

will prove durable and easy to maintain.

118 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Mosaic tile is typically

found on the floor, but

it also makes a durable,

low-maintenance wall

covering the bathroom.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 119

When renovating a bathroom, it’s sometimes a tough

decision to repair versus replace wall and ceiling

surfaces. Demolition makes a mess, not only in the

bathroom but also, potentially, in the rest of the

house, and it adds to the length and complexity of

the job.

There’s often a good reason, though, to strip the

room to the framing. In older homes, the insula-

tion in exterior walls is often inadequate. Moisture

migrating into wall cavities over the years may well

have promoted mold or even resulted in structural

decay of framing or sheathing. Tearing out surface

materials presents an opportunity to insulate cor-

rectly and to add an air barrier that prevents moisture

from getting in.

above • Mosaic tiles covering the floor and much of the wall area make a water-resistant, easy-to-clean surface.

left • Patterned wallpaper can bring a theme to the room in a way that paint, tile, or wood can’t.

facing page • Wallpaper is not the most robust of finish surfaces, but in a gently used space it should be fine. Here, in combination with wide baseboards and

elegant light sconces, it imparts a slightly formal feel.

120 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Tearing out also allows wiring upgrades—adding

receptacles, for example, or replacing old cable that

lacks a separate ground circuit. Removing the ceiling

makes it easy to enhance lighting and to add a fan

that’s vented to the outside if the bathroom doesn’t

have one already.

Historically valuable architectural details or rare tile

would, of course, change the equation. But in most

cases, tearing out the old almost always makes for a

more satisfying result in the end.

above • This beadboard wainscoting, more durable than the drywall on the upper part of the wall, is available in sheets made of medium-density fiberboard for

speedy installation.

left • Decorative wallpaper can be a good choice for a powder room, where daily wear and tear is not an issue.

122 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

above • An elaborate cap at the

top of the tile wainscoting runs

all the way around the room and

into the adjoining water closet,

helping to link the spaces

together.

left • Tile doesn’t have to be

bland or formal. The great

diversity of colors and sizes

makes custom designs possible.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 123

T H e e S S e n T i A l S

walls and ceilings

DrYWAll

$

• Relatively inexpensive and installation can be handled

by a DIYer.

• Can be repainted, making it easy to change the

appearance of the room with minimal effort.

• Not a very robust surface, but can be repaired.

• Use water-resistant board to minimize the risk of

damage from moisture.

• Not appropriate for use in showers and tub surrounds.

PlASTer

$$

• A more expensive option than drywall.

• Skilled labor to apply may be hard to find locally.

• Makes a hard, durable finish.

• Surface can range from textured to glassy smooth.

Tile AnD STOne

$-$$$

• Very durable.

• Excellent variety in colors and textures.

• Won’t be damaged by water, so it can be used in showers

and on tub surrounds.

• Grout should be sealed.

• Nonporous tile surfaces are easy to keep clean.

WOOD AnD WOOD lOOk-AlikeS

$-$$

• Good durability, providing it is painted or sealed and

the surface is maintained.

• Fairly easy to repair if damaged and easy to refinish.

• Can be installed as tongue-and-groove planks, flat

panels, or wainscoting.

• May be damaged in high-moisture areas. Not the best

choice for a tub or shower surround.

124 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

left • This antique patterned wallpaper

with a floral motif seems apt in a room

featuring wainscoting with chair rail, a

curved arch marking the tub area, and

deeply profiled window and door trim.

right • Paneled wainscoting helps give

this bathroom a more formal look

than a plain painted wall, and it can

be fabricated on site by a good finish

carpenter.

below • This bathroom would look stark

and austere if it weren’t for the band

of blue-green tile that complements

the vanity top.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 125

Tile AnD STOne

One of the greatest attributes of tile is its versatility.

Combining different sizes, shapes, and colors (and

there are tons to choose from) can produce dazzling

and completely unique effects. Although tile can

get pricey, strategically placing a few handmade or

brightly colored tiles in a plain field is a good way of

dressing up a room at minimal expense.

right • Bright and practical, the wainscoting of yellow tile—

with a durable, easy-to-clean surface—protects the walls

where they’re most vulnerable.

below • Translucent glass subway tile in this bathing area will

keep moisture damage to walls safely at bay.

126 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

P u T T i n g i T A l l T O g e T H e r

Vegas-inspired wild Tile

While tile can be strictly geometric and formal, it also has

the power to dazzle.

The vibrant tile work in this bathroom reflects the owners’

appreciation for the bright tile work they had seen in the

entry of the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The young couple that owns the house travels frequently.

But with two young children, that was becoming more

problematic. Their idea was to make their own home fun

and engaging, as attractive as any distant travel destination.

This bathroom is next to a home entertainment zone, mak-

ing the bright colors and organic patterns seem completely

appropriate.

Designer Maraya Droney and Rick Skalak of Vita Nova

Mosaic (the same tile company that did all the mosaics

in the Wynn) put a twist in the Las Vegas design by using

Black Galaxy granite as the background for the floor mosa-

ics instead of the White Spider marble at the Wynn. Skalak

says his company uses only American-made glass, Spectrum

and Uroboros, which is guaranteed to have no lead content.

above • The bright above-counter sink complements the colors in

the complex mosaic pattern in the walls and floors.

left • The entry of the Wynn Hotel and Casino in las Vegas was

the inspiration for the tile work in a bathroom next to a home

entertainment area.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 127

Tiled walls (or at least tiled wainscoting) also offer

major practical advantages. Glazed ceramic tile pro-

tects a wall from water damage, and it’s easy to keep

clean. Stone tile has a solid, traditional feel with

many of the same advantages.

In determining the height of wainscoting, tile experts

Lane and Tom Meehan, authors of Working with

Tile, suggest the top of the wainscoting be aligned

with the top of the vanity backsplash. A chair rail at

this height extending all the way around the room

makes what they call a “comfortable horizontal focal

point” and ties the room together visually. They add,

however, to lay out wainscoting carefully so any dec-

orative chair rail stays away from electrical outlets,

shower mixing valves, and other obstructions.

above • A brightly colored tile wall is the focal point of this bathroom. A lack of color elsewhere helps the wall stand out.

left • Small blue tiles in the backsplash reflect the color of the walls in the adjoining bedroom and add just enough color to this small, monochromatic

bathroom.

facing page • Blending different colored stone and tile creates an elegant

setting in this bathroom.

128 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 129

WOOD AnD WOOD lOOk-AlikeS

Like tile, wood has many faces. Nothing is more ele-

gant than frame-and-panel wainscoting in mahogany

or cherry; nothing more down-home than knotty

pine tongue-and-groove planks. High-end work

should be left to the pros, but wood can be one of

the easiest of installations for do-it-yourselfers.

If you’re going to paint wood, choose clear grades of

lumber. No knots. Even when sealing primers are

used over knotty softwood such as pine or spruce, the

resins have a way of leaching through. Many species

of woods are beautiful in their own right and need

no dressing up beyond a good-quality sealer. The

warm tones of Douglas fir, cherry, or mahogany or

the cool colors of light woods such as birch or maple

can become an important design element.

In addition to solid wood, plywood paneling and

wood look-alikes, such as medium-density fiberboard

(MDF), are other options. With marine-grade finish-

es, plywood can stand up to high-moisture environ-

ments. MDF beadboard is very smooth and makes

an excellent painted surface. Be more careful with

this kind of paneling in areas that get wet, though—

it doesn’t tolerate moisture well.

At its simplest, wood is a

friendly material reminiscent

of summer houses and casual

living. if the owners ever tire

of all the wood, walls would be

easy to paint.

130 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

above • Beadboard walls are a

good match with the classic

claw-foot tub, making the space

seem casual and cottagelike.

left • Tongue-and-groove

paneling, along with an

unpainted wood ceiling, makes

an unobtrusive and economical

surface. Horizontal installation

on the walls stretches the space

around the tub.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 131

p u t t i n g i t a l l t o g e t h e r

Borrowing Light from

the Room Next Door

A remodel in San Francisco included an addition at the rear of

the house, turning what had been an exterior wall into an interior

wall. That alteration could have left this small bathroom dark and

uninviting, but adding an interior window of translucent glass

Soffit above

Closet

opening to an adjacent office provided a source of natural light.

Glass partition

The window is aligned with a mirror-fronted cabinet on the wall

over the toilet and vanity, a strong design element of the room.

Mirror cabinet

Bath

The cabinet provides a good deal of storage, and a cove on top

holds an additional source of light. Helping to maintain an open

feeling is the floor-to-ceiling sheet of glass surrounding the curb-

Interior window

less shower. A dropped ceiling over the shower helps to define the

bathing area visually.

Covered

walk

Office

Plywood treated with marine-grade epoxy covers the walls of the

bathroom. Although the choice may seem unusual, architect

Desk with

Eliza Hart says one of the main features of the house is wood,

cabinets above

plywood in particular. It’s used in a bookshelf at the bottom of the

stairs and in the office outside this bathroom in the form of cabi-

nets and desks. The continuity of materials helps make different

spaces feel connected.

above • Wall-mounted faucets over a concrete vanity top make for a clean,

above • a window of opaque glass between the bathroom and an

uncluttered look. the vanity is wall-hung.

adjacent office is a source of natural light for this landlocked room.

132 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Plywood walls finished with

marine-grade epoxy help

connect the bathroom with

other parts of the house.

A floor-to-ceiling sheet of

glass defines one side of

the curbless shower.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings 133

LIGHTING

Natural and artificial sources are both important to bathroom lighting.

When it comes to choosing fixtures, where they are placed

can be just as important as what type of bulb they use.

Good bathroom lighting, like well-designed kitchen

lighting, doesn’t rely on a single light source or type

of fixture. It takes several kinds of lighting to make

the room both functional and interesting: general (or

ambient) lighting for illuminating the entire room,

task lighting for applying makeup or shaving, and

accent lighting that highlights a particular feature in

the bathroom.

These three types of lighting can be used separately

or in tandem, but all of them should be given some

consideration, particularly in new construction or a

major renovation, where you’re not limited by exist-

ing wiring, fixtures, or switch locations.

Natural light also makes an important contribution.

While there are obvious privacy issues with big win-

dows in crowded neighborhoods, smaller windows

set higher on the wall can provide ventilation as well

as light. Bathrooms on the south, east, or west walls

of the house may not need any artificial lighting

during the day. And even bathrooms without exte-

rior walls can get the benefits of natural light with a

skylight or a solar tube, a roof-mounted skylight that

pipes sunlight into the room via a reflective tube.

Hiring an interior designer or lighting specialist may

be worth the expense when you have a generous

budget and are working with a large, complex bath-

room. But if that’s not in the cards, visit a local light-

ing store for advice. Well-established retailers almost

always have knowledgeable staff, and buying lighting

fixtures from a locally owned business means the

money stays in your community.

above right • Task lighting over the vanity, natural light from

a window, and ambient lighting from a ceiling fixture (not

shown) provide balanced lighting. Lights on either side of the

mirror would cut shadows more effectively.

right • Natural light pouring into this bathroom from windows

set high on the wall will get a boost from the large mirror over

the vanity. It’s supplemented by a fluorescent fixture above

the mirror.

136 Lighting

above • Placing lighting fixtures at eye level, one on each

side of the mirror, will help reduce facial shadows.

left • This bathroom has a good mix of lighting: fixtures that

flank the mirror over the vanity plus a dedicated fixture in

the shower.

Lighting 137

Because bathrooms are damp environments, special

care should be taken to choose the right kinds of

fixtures and to follow all code requirements. If you

want a fixture in the shower, be certain it’s rated for

that use. If you plan on doing the wiring yourself,

make sure you know what’s required by code in your

community and that you follow the script exactly.

Better yet, hire a licensed electrical contractor to do

the work.

above • A large window plus

a mirror and two lights at

the vanity make a bright,

pleasant room with a good

balance of natural and

artificial light.

left • A pair of fixtures on

each side of the mirror are

set far enough from the

wall to provide even light

without shadows.

above • Articulating lights over the vanity will create fewer

harsh shadows than fixtures mounted directly on the wall.

138 Lighting

T h e e s s e N T I A L s

Lightbulbs

INcANdesceNT BuLBs

$

• Inexpensive.

• Low voltage halogens use transformers to step down

• Produce a pleasing, warm light.

120-volt line current to 12 volts. The halogen bulbs

used in low-voltage fixtures give off a white, crisp light,

• Don’t last as long as several other types of lamps.

making them a good choice for accent lighting.

• Inefficient: more than 90 percent of the energy they use

• Cable and monorail fixtures are stylish and contemporary,

produces heat, not light.

yet also can be expensive.

• Efficiency requirements adopted by the government in 2007

will phase out many (but not all) standard incandescent

Leds

bulbs between 2012 and 2014. There are already good

$$-$$$

alternatives on the market and more on the way.

• Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are becoming more widely

FLuoresceNT LAmPs

available for residential use, but they’re still somewhat of

an expensive specialty item.

$-$$

• White LEDs have a color rendering index equal to that

• Use less energy to produce the same amount of light as an

of the best compact fluorescent lamps, according to the

incandescent bulb.

government’s Energy Star program.

• Much longer lamp life.

• Extremely long lamp life, up to 50,000 hours.

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) screw into standard lamp

• More light output per watt than CFLs.

bases.

• Some types can be dimmed, and lamps with a high color

esL TechNoLogy

rendering index make people and objects look natural.

$$

• Contain small amounts of mercury and should not be thrown

away with household trash.

• Vu1 Corporation has developed another type of

technology called “electron stimulated luminescence,”

• Small-diameter fluorescent tubes can be hidden under

lighting in which electrons cause phosphors in the lamp

cabinets or in ceiling coves to cast indirect light.

to generate light.

• Lamps produce the same quality of light as an

hALogeNs

incandescent and are dimmable and instant-on.

$-$$

• Up to 70 percent more efficient than incandescents.

• New types of halogen bulbs, like the Halogená® bulbs

• Bulbs last five times as long as a standard

from Philips, offer better energy efficiency than standard

incandescent bulb.

incandescent bulbs but not as much as CFLs or newer

technology lamps.

• Contain no mercury.

• Halogens emit a bright, white light and look very similar to

• Not widely available.

standard incandescent bulbs.

• Unlike CFLs, they reach their full lighting potential as soon

as they are turned on, and they contain no mercury.

• They have high operating temperatures, very good color

rendering, and last longer than incandescent bulbs.

Lighting 139

P u T T I N g I T A L L T o g e T h e r

Creating Multiple

Recessed

cove lights

Sources of Light

A key goal in the remodel of this California home was to

Wood-siding-clad wall

add more light to a guest bathroom near the front entry, a

job made all the more difficult by deep roof overhangs.

Bedroom

Bathroom

The design team (Studio Bergtraun Architects of Emeryville

Translucent glass

opening wall

and Hart Wright Architects of San Francisco) started by

rearranging an adjacent hallway and installing a large sky-

light. To borrow light from this source, the architects added

Interior windows

a pair of narrow interior windows on the wall separating the

Interior window

bathroom from the hallway. And to balance this source of

Bedroom

natural light, they installed daylight-temperature fluorescent

Skylight above

bulbs in a light cove tucked behind the tub.

interior windows

To connect different parts of the house visually, the archi-

tects used the same wall tile in all of the bathrooms as well

as for the kitchen backsplash. Flooring flows seamlessly

from the main parts of the house into the bathrooms. The

guest bathroom’s concrete vanity top also is a material that

shows up elsewhere in the house.

Working on a tight budget, Studio Bergtraun/Hart Wright

took on some of the construction themselves, including the

cabinets built by Stuart Wright. The material, says Eliza

Hart, “gives a uniquely warm and modern feel while relat-

ing it to the utilitarian sense of this period house, symbolic

of 1950s modern design, like the Eichler homes and Eames

furniture of the same era.”

The bathroom vanity is wall-mounted, and most cabinets

have drawers rather than doors for better functionality.

Plumbing fixtures are “calm and modern,” Hart says, “to

blend in and visually disappear.”

daylight-temperature fluorescent

lamps tucked in a cove behind the tub

supplement natural light from a pair of

interior windows.

140 Lighting

above • Plywood cabinets are symbolic of 1950s california

modern design.

above left • A pair of windows in the wall between the

bathroom and an adjacent hallway provide natural light.

left • Narrow bathroom windows don’t open to the outside

directly but borrow light from a skylight installed in a

hallway on the other side of the wall.

Lighting 141

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting doesn’t have to be especially pow-

erful or come from a high-end fixture to be effective.

This type of lighting allows you to see what you’re

doing for general tasks—putting something in a

linen closet, getting a glass of water, or hanging up

fresh towels.

A simple ceiling fixture housing one or two CFLs

should provide enough light for all but the largest

bathrooms. Ceiling-mounted fan/light fixtures can

be wired so the fan and light are switched indepen-

dently, making this a cost-effective and low-tech way

of providing ambient light.

With the right exposure, a window can provide all

the ambient light you really need during the day,

depending on the window’s orientation. In new con-

struction and extensive remodels, buy high-efficiency

windows rated for the climate and the sun exposure.

Check with your architect about an appropriate

choice, or visit the Web site of the National Fenestra-

tion Rating Council (www.nfrc.org) for a thorough

explanation of window characteristics.

Very small bathrooms may not need separate fixtures

for ambient lighting and task or accent lighting. In

a small powder room, for example, a pair of fixtures

flanking a mirror over the sink may provide plenty

of light for the whole room even if there’s no over-

head fixture.

Although an ambient light source can be simple, it

doesn’t have to be. In a large bathroom with a high

ceiling, for instance, contemporary low-voltage lights

on cables or an old-school chandelier might add

style to the décor.

142 Lighting

As to how much light to provide, the National

Kitchen & Bath Association recommends round ceil-

ing fixtures be at least 12 in. in diameter, with the

bulb or bulbs rated at a total of 100 to 120 watts.

In a bathroom with multiple light switches in a sin-

gle box, locating the switch for this all-purpose light

left • Thanks to a generously sized window, this

in the position nearest the door will help you avoid

vanity gets plenty of light even though the

pendant fixtures are relatively small.

fumbling for the switch in the middle of the night.

below • recessed lighting fixtures over the vanity

Consider adding a dimmer switch for nighttime

and tub provide unobtrusive task lighting.

visits to the bathroom, when you’re not looking for

These fixtures, however, are potential energy

an intense blast of light, or buy an inexpensive night-

and heat leaks when installed directly below an

unconditioned space.

light that turns itself off automatically during the day.

Task Lighting

Task lighting in a bathroom typically amounts to

effective lighting around the vanity and mirror, and

that usually means more than a single source of light.

The best approach is to install a light fixture on either

side of the mirror at about eye level. This will cast

light evenly on the face. Adding a light fixture over

the mirror further reduces shadows, and choosing a

light-colored countertop helps reflect light upward.

The worst lighting plan is just a single fixture directly

over the vanity mirror. This will cast light downward,

plunging eyes and parts of your face into shadow and

making shaving or applying makeup difficult.

In new construction, planning ahead for a good

lighting scheme is simple, but that’s not always the

case in a remodel. If the project includes a total

gut, an electrician can add new lighting circuits and

switches while the walls are open. If the remodel

is less extensive, an electrician may still be able to

snake new wires through the walls and tap into an

existing circuit for power. The procedure is occasion-

ally problematic, but by no means impossible.

Lights installed on each side of the mirror should

have two 60-watt or two 75-watt bulbs (lower watt-

ages, of course, for compact fluorescent lamps).

If fluorescent-tube fixtures are the choice here, look

for the highest CRI available: one 24-in., 20-watt

tube on each side of the mirror, and two 24-in.,

20-watt tubes over the mirror.

Lights in the shower are another kind of task light-

above • The enormous variety of fixtures on the market makes it

ing, and they make an excellent addition. Just

possible to match lights with a particular architectural style or

remember the fixtures should be code approved for

stylistic preference.

that location, meaning they should be vapor-proof

facing page, top • mounting light fixtures directly over the mirror can

fixtures. A separate shower fixture may be overkill

create shadows on the face, but the bright walls here will help by

reflecting some of the overhead light.

in a small bathroom that already has an overhead

light or in a shower with glass doors located near a

facing page, bottom • The soft paint color used around these vanity

mirrors produces a cheerful glow.

window. But it’s a real advantage in larger bathrooms

144 Lighting

Using the Color Rendering Index

Because bathrooms are typically where women apply

makeup, men shave, and both men and women often check

that clothing and accessories are a good color match, light

that makes skin tones and objects look natural is important.

The color rendering index (CRI) is a way of predicting how

realistic colors will look under different light sources.

Although the formula for calculating the CRI is fairly

complex, a good rule of thumb is the higher the number,

the better the quality of light.

CRI wasn’t an issue in the days when most of us only used

incandescent lamps; they have a CRI of 100 and were thought

to provide a warm, friendly light. Halogen bulbs also have

CRIs of 100. But fluorescent tubes and lamps may have much

lower CRIs, making color rendering that much less realistic,

even unpleasant. When shopping for fluorescent lamps or

tubes, look for the highest CRI available.

Color temperature is another way of quantifying how light

will appear. This is a scale measured in degrees Kelvin, with

lower temperatures (like those produced by an incandescent

lamp) producing a warmer, yellow/orange light and higher

temperatures (like direct sunlight) having a bluish cast. If

you find the light from incandescent bulbs appealing, look for

a lamp that produces a color temperature of about 2,700 K.

with oversize showers, or when an opaque shower

curtain is used. As with any other wiring changes,

adding a shower fixture is a snap in new construction

and somewhat more complicated in a remodel. If

the shower has a tiled ceiling, for example, it may be

more trouble than it’s worth.

Bathrooms with large tubs also are good candidates

for additional task lighting for the bathing area. Con-

sider putting the lights on dimmers so the amount of

light can match your mood.

Lighting 145

These small opaque windows

borrow light for the shower

from an adjacent living area.

146 Lighting

Adding Light without

Sacrificing Privacy

Natural light is a great addition to a bathroom,

but introducing it often means privacy issues.

These four bathrooms prove that’s not always the

case. Windows can include frosted or textured

glass, or be set high enough in the walls of a

shower to eliminate privacy concerns. Glass block

set into a shower stall can even draw light from

an interior space, such as an adjacent hallway.

above • opaque glazing in the windows over the tub guarantees privacy.

below • Installing a large window in the shower is an excellent way of providing strong ambient lighting, as long as you choose the right type of glass.

above • setting windows in the shower high on the wall is one

way of bringing in natural light without giving up privacy.

Lighting 147

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting emphasizes a room feature, such as the

texture or color of a wall, a cabinet, or the shape of a

curved ceiling. Accent lighting is not essential from a

practical point of view, but it can add a great deal to a

room’s appeal.

There are several types of accent lights. Pinhole or slot

lights can be precisely adjusted to direct a very narrow

beam of light toward an object—a shelf where glass jars

of toiletries are displayed, for example. Wall washing or

grazing is the use of lights to emphasize a textured sur-

face, such as stucco, stone, or brick. Simple uplighting

played on a painted wall can add mood to the room

even when the wall doesn’t have much texture.

Recessed low-voltage fixtures with halogen lamps cast a

bright, sharply contrasting light without being obvious

themselves. But accent lighting also can come in the

form of low-profile fluorescent tubes set into shallow

recesses beneath a mirror or even under a vanity.

above • Light from

fixtures installed

As appealing as recessed lighting can be from a design

beneath these cabinets

floods the floor with

standpoint, some of these fixtures have a potential ener-

light and reflects off

gy drawback. In bathrooms located beneath an uncon-

the light-colored tile.

ditioned attic or right below an insulated roof, recessed

right • Lighting at the

fixtures can let warm, moist air escape. At the least, this

perimeter of this

ceiling adds another

is a waste of energy, but air leaks also can contribute

dimension to the room.

to condensation issues. To avoid these problems, make

sure the fixtures are airtight and rated for contact with

insulation. Otherwise, the fixture should be contained

in a site-made, sealed enclosure that provides the clear-

ance recommended by the manufacturer.

Accent lighting is one of those areas where expert

advice, above and beyond what you’ll get from your

electrical contractor, can make a big difference.

If you have features in the bathroom you think warrant

accent lighting, do your homework and talk to lighting

professionals.

148 Lighting

hidden cove lighting at the ceiling

perimeter gently directs light upward.

d e s I g N g A L L e r y

Lighting Fixtures

Combining natural and artificial light from different types

of fixtures makes any bathroom more attractive and more

functional.

2

3

1

150 Lighting

4

1. A large window in the shower makes the whole room bright and

cheerful, and it’s effectively balanced with both task and general lighting

fixtures. 2. Three overhead lamps will cast a generous amount of light,

although fixtures mounted on either side of the mirror would cast fewer

shadows on the face. 3. Lamps concealed in the frame of the mirror will

illuminate the face evenly, and in a small bathroom this concentrated

task lighting may be all that’s needed. 4. Pendant lights hanging over

the tub create soft light when connected to a dimmer. 5. Light fixtures

mounted directly to a large mirror over the sink provide even, balanced

task lighting.

5

Lighting 151

Heating,

Mechanical systems do more than keep

the room at a comfortable temperature and humidity.

Cooling &

They also control moisture to prevent damage in wall

and roof cavities and maintain healthy indoor air quality.

Ventilation

Heating and cooling are more important in the bathroom

than anywhere else in the house. First, you’ll spend a lot of

time in the bathroom without wearing a whole lot of cloth-

ing, so keeping the room comfortable is an obvious priority.

Second, bathrooms are by nature humid environments. A

properly sized mechanical system is essential to heading off

potential problems caused by condensation.

Bathrooms are typically heated by the same system that serves

other parts of the house. Especially in older homes, where

heating equipment is antiquated or undersize, a bathroom can

benefit from spot heat. There are a variety of options for sup-

plemental heat, including underfloor electric heating mats,

ceiling-mounted infrared lamps, and even electric or hydronic

towel warmers. Some are more complicated than others to

install (for more on the options, see p. 165).

Green building has helped focus attention on the importance

of ventilation, not only to maintain healthy indoor air qual-

ity but also to prevent damage from condensation. As houses

become more tightly sealed to lower heating and cooling

costs, including effective ventilation should become a higher

priority than it might have been in the past. At the very least,

this means a quiet, good-quality fan that’s vented to

the outside.

More elaborate options, such as heat- or energy-recovery ven-

tilators, help minimize the energy penalty of expelling warm

air during the winter or bringing in hot, humid air during

the summer. Installing timers or switches that turn on the fan

automatically when humidity levels are high makes ventilation

more predictable and effective.

Mechanical cooling isn’t essential in all parts of the country,

but it certainly makes life more bearable. In an older home,

or in one with hydronic heat, central air-conditioning can be

tough to add to a bathroom when the house doesn’t already

have air ducts. But a type of air-to-air heat pump called a

“ductless mini-split” makes it possible to add cooling (and

heating) to just a few rooms without conventional ducts. It’s

an option worth exploring in both new construction and

renovations.

154 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

left • An infrared light fixture

in the ceiling near the shower

provides spot radiant heating.

Electric resistance heating

installed beneath a tile floor is

another way of taking the chill

off the room without turning up

central heat.

below • Properly sized ventilation

equipment removes moisture

that accumulates around

showers and tubs. Capacity is

based on the square footage

of the room and the number of

plumbing fixtures in the room.

The volume of water used

in large showers generates

more moisture than opening

even a nearby window

can handle. Mechanical

ventilation is a must.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 155

P u T T i n g i T A l l T o g E T h E r

Making two Bathrooms

Master

from one

bedroom

Portland, Maine, architects Anne Callender and her husband

Joseph Delaney were living in a space-challenged home with a

Shower

single full bathroom. When they mapped out a two-story addition

to gain some extra space, they included this small but efficient

Master

3 ft.

master bath measuring just over 32 sq. ft.

5 ft. 37⁄8 in.

bath

101⁄2 in.

To create space for the new master bath, the couple moved a wall

and borrowed a few feet from the existing bathroom next door.

Study

Main bath

They built a new wall in the master bedroom and tucked both a

new shower and some closet space behind it.

A wall-mounted, tankless toilet helps save a few inches of floor

space. The large sink is cantilevered out from the counter, anoth-

7 ft. 31⁄2 in.

er space-saving move. Behind the toilet is an 8-in.-deep cabinet

that’s 42 in. high and 48 in. wide, providing lots of storage for

toiletries.

The cabinet under the sink is 14 in. deep with three doors, a per-

fect fit for towels, cleaning supplies, and additional toiletries.

Not including the shower, the bathroom measures just 60 in. by

77 in. with room for all the essentials and zero waste.

right • unobtrusive but elegant

detailing on the cabinet

prevents the space from

becoming too busy.

far right • The shower actually

extends into a bump-out in

the master bedroom. it’s

incorporated with two closets

in a newly created space

behind the bed.

156 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

left and above • A new master bath borrows

space from an existing bath next door

as well as the master bedroom, packing

a lot into just over 32 sq. ft. A wall-

mounted toilet and a cantilevered sink

over a shallow vanity both help save

floor space.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 157

Fans

Elaborate ventilation systems that duct fresh air to

every room in the house are becoming more com-

mon, but a relatively simple fan mounted in the ceil-

ing and vented to the outside can still be an excel-

lent hedge against moisture damage and mold as

well as an effective way of maintaining good indoor

air quality. Even better, a good-quality fan doesn’t

have to cost a fortune.

Fans are rated by how much noise they make, called

“sones,” and how much air they are capable of mov-

ing, expressed in cubic feet per minute, or CFM.

In a small bathroom, up to 100 sq. ft., industry

guidelines suggest ventilation at the rate of 1 CFM

per sq. ft. of floor area. In larger bathrooms, ventila-

tion rates are based on the number and type of fix-

tures located in the bathroom (for more information,

visit the Home Ventilating Institute’s Web site at

www.hvi.org). Fans located directly over the source

of the moisture are most effective, so a larger bath-

room with a separate tub and shower might have one

fan over the shower and another over the tub.

The most basic bathroom fan incorporates both the

fan and motor in a housing that’s mounted in the

ceiling. More powerful in-line fans can be located

some distance away and serve more than one bath-

room. However, they’re more expensive and typically

make more noise than a basic model.

One key to any fan installation: Never vent the fan to

an attic, basement, or other conditioned space where

moisture can condense on cold surfaces and lead to

mold and decay. Make sure your builder runs the

vent to the outside. Rigid pipe offers less resistance

to airflow than corrugated plastic pipe.

locating heating and cooling vents in the

ceiling keeps them out of the way.

158 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

above • A large fan inlet combined with a light near the

shower is effective in gathering moisture close to its source.

What to Look for in a Fan

Fan manufacturers use an odd metric for quantifying sound their

products make. Noise levels are measured in “sones,” units of

perceived sound. The industry describes one sone as the amount of

noise a quiet refrigerator makes in a quiet room.

Bargain fans, the kind that builders or electricians may install if you

don’t ask the right questions, may be rated at 4 or more sones. But

at least two manufacturers—Panasonic and Broan—make fans rated

at less than 1 sone, some as low as 0.3 sones. For practical purposes,

these fans are inaudible while running.

If a fan is really noisy, chances are good you’re less likely to use it,

so it may not run as long as it should and consequently will be that

much less effective. And fan noise is just plain irritating. Even though

a large-capacity fan is going to make more noise than one designed

for a very small bath, it pays to look for the lowest sone rating avail-

able for the fan size you need.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 159

T h E E S S E n T i A l S

Bathroom Fans

CEiling-MounTEd fAnS

$

• Often packaged with a light, ceiling-mounted units include the fan

and motor in a metal housing that is recessed into the ceiling.

• Some units draw air through a light fixture, with no visible grill.

• Look for a fan with a low sone rating for quiet operation.

• Some can be equipped with infrared light bulbs for spot heating.

• Small bathrooms need only one ceiling-mounted unit, but larger

bathrooms with a number of separate fixtures may be better served

with two.

CEILING-MOUNTED FANS

WAll-MounTEd fAnS

$

• Good solution when framing or accessibility constraints prevent you

from mounting a fan on the ceiling and venting through the roof.

• Ensure the unit has a screen to keep out critters.

in-linE fAnS

$$

• Fans are installed in the duct itself, some distance away from the

bathroom, and connected to one or more ceiling-mounted grills.

• Can draw air from more than one room; helpful for back-to-back

bathrooms, for example, or multiple grills in a large bathroom with

a number of fixtures.

• More powerful and more expensive than simple ceiling-mounted fans.

• Can be noisy.

WALL-MOUNTED FAN

IN-LINE FAN

160 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

above • A centrally located fan may be enough to capture

moisture generated at the tub, sink, and shower, but it must be

sized with enough capacity.

above right • A large operable skylight over the shower can help

vent moist air from the bathroom, but it’s not a substitute for

mechanical ventilation.

right • Perhaps the best place for a fan is right where the

moisture starts—in this case, in the shower. A multiport in-line

fan can be connected to multiple inlets, picking up moisture in

the shower as well as from another point in the room.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 161

SWiTChES And TiMErS

Bathroom fans should continue to run for 20 min-

utes or so after a shower to completely clear the

room of moisture, experts often recommend. While

some homeowners are good about remembering

that, many others aren’t, and that’s a good reason to

consider installing a timer. Very simple models can

be set easily to run for up to 30 minutes at the push

of a button.

Programmable switches are a step up. They can be

adjusted to turn on the fan for a certain amount of

time every day, let’s say between 7:00 and 7:20 a.m.,

for those folks who are on a rigid workday schedule

and always shower at the same time. Programmable

switches also can cycle a fan on and off throughout

the day, which is useful when the bathroom fan is

being used in lieu of a whole-house ventilation sys-

tem. This is an option that should be discussed with

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

or energy professional since ventilation requirements

vary with the size and construction of the house.

Another type of automatic switch is called a humidi-

stat. It incorporates a humidity sensor and turns on

the fan when moisture levels reach a certain thresh-

old. When controlling airborne moisture levels, and

not necessarily improving air quality, is the main

objective, a humidistat is a hassle-free way of meet-

ing your objective.

right • A simple fan/light mounted in

the ceiling near the tub provides all the

ventilation this small bath will need.

162 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

Ventilation Systems

That Save Energy

In some ways it’s counterintuitive to spend a

lot of money heating or cooling your home and

then running fans to blow all that conditioned

air outside. Yet from an air-quality standpoint, it

does make sense, and there are ways to minimize

the energy penalty.

A heat recovery ventilator, or HRV, simultane-

ously draws fresh air into the house and pushes

stale indoor air outside. The air streams pass

through a heat exchanger so that some of the

energy that would normally be lost is transferred

to incoming air. For example, in winter, warm

indoor air raises the temperature of incoming cold

air from outside, lowering the amount of energy

that’s wasted. For an air-conditioned house in

summer, the process would work in reverse.

Energy recovery ventilators, ERVs, are similar,

but they also are capable of exchanging some of

the moisture in the air stream.

When to choose an HRV over an ERV (or

vice versa) is not a simple question, and even

manufacturers may be dispensing incomplete

advice. While climate is a key factor in choosing

between the two, it’s not the only criterion.

Before making the decision, it would be best to

read up on the subject in addition to talking with

a competent HVAC installer. A good source of

information on this and other indoor air-quality

issues is GreenBuildingAdvisor (www.greenbuild-

ingadvisor.com).

top left • A very simple timer has presets for running the fan from 10 minutes to an hour.

top right • More complex timers can be programmed to operate at certain times of day or even to switch on automatically when humidity levels reach a certain point.

above • if your fan is in good shape but too noisy, check the manufacturer’s Web site to see if a retrofi t kits is available for your model.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 163

Heaters

There is one big advantage to installing an auxiliary

heat source in the bathroom: you’ll be comfortable

even when the rest of the house is chilly.

Exactly what type of supplemental heat you choose

will depend somewhat on what type of heating

system you have for the rest of the house. If it’s a

hydronic system (that is, it runs on hot water), a toe-

kick heater beneath a cabinet, a heated towel bar, or

even a low-profile European-style radiator mounted

on the wall are ways of getting additional heat.

Radiant-floor heat, which includes an underfloor

network of plastic tubing for hot water, is another

above • heated towel bars, which are available in both electric and hydronic option that becomes possible during a major reno-versions, keep towels warm and can provide some space heating, too.

Some

models have enough capacity to heat the room.

vation when floors or ceilings are opened up. One

below • A gas fireplace set at the foot of the tub and operated by a remote

advantage of radiant-floor heat is that there are no

control is one way of providing spot heat—as long as there’s enough space

floor registers or radiators to get in the way; heat dis-

and the budget will permit.

tribution is totally out of sight. But it’s also an expen-

sive option, and it can be complicated tying the tub-

ing into an existing hot-water heating system.

Electric baseboard units on their own thermostats

add heat, but the units themselves are often a head-

ache in a smaller room, and they can rust. A better

option is a grid of wires installed beneath a tile floor

and connected to its own thermostat. Electric radi-

ant heating systems, like those made by Nuheat,

can be ordered both in stock and custom sizes and

with one of a variety of thermostat options. There

is even a grid designed for use in a shower. Electric

radiant panels also are available for wall and ceiling

installation.

Depending on local rates, any form of electric resis-

tance heat can be expensive to operate. But electric

heat also is very responsive.

A simple heat option is to buy a fan/light combina-

tion designed for an infrared bulb. Although it’s low

tech, standing under the light will keep you cozy.

164 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

T h E E S S E n T i A l S

Heaters

CEiling-MounTEd hEAT lAMP

ToWEl WArMEr/rAdiATor

$

$$

• Inexpensive and unobtrusive.

• Electric or hydronic models available.

• Light fixture can be part of fan.

• Depending on heating loads, can be used

• Use with timer to limit run time.

for supplemental heat or as sole source

of bathroom heat.

• Heat from lamp not even.

• Keeps towels warm.

ToE-kiCk hEATEr

• Requires no floor space.

$-$$

EuroPEAn-STylE rAdiATor

• Available in electric or hydronic models.

$$$

• Makes good use of wasted space beneath

a cabinet.

• Low profile; takes up less space than

conventional cast-iron radiator.

• Fan distributes warm air.

• Can be custom-made to curved shapes.

• Depending on location of hot-water

lines or electric cables, may be possible

• Can replace conventional radiators

to add without major demolition.

without the need to overhaul existing

hydronic heating system.

WAll And CEiling hEAT PAnElS

$-$$

rAdiAnT floor

$$$

• Electric radiant panels available in a

number of sizes that run on 120- or

• Installation requires removal of floor or

240-volt current.

access to bathroom floor from below.

• Out of the way; don’t take up floor space.

• Requires hot water source, so not an

option for hot-air distribution systems.

• Can be connected to a programmable

thermostat to provide scheduled heat.

• Provides even, gentle heat.

• Can be installed beneath ceiling drywall

• Takes up no floor area.

and kept completely out of sight.

ElECTriC rAdiAnT floor MAT

$-$$

• Grid of wires installed below finish floor,

usually tile.

• Standard and custom sizes available.

• Available for wet locations, such as

the shower.

• Out of sight; doesn’t take up any floor area.

• Adds little floor height, so it’s suitable for

a remodel.

top, middle, and bottom • Electric mats

installed beneath the tile will keep

floors warm and comfortable. They can

be connected to their own thermostat.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 165

P u T T i n g i T A l l T o g E T h E r

a 19th-Century

Split level

Wedging a new master bath into a three-story townhouse

built in 1845 was complicated by an original floor plan that

included staggered ceiling heights between the front and

back of the house.

The floor in the existing master bath on the second floor

at the rear of the house had previously been raised, giving

the bath reduced headroom in addition to its 6-ft. width.

Krieger + Associates Architects originally planned to remove

the raised floor to increase the height of the ceiling, but it

would still have been impossible to squeeze in the separate

tub and shower plus a double-sink vanity the owners had

requested.

The solution was to use the split-level effect as part of the

design by lowering the floor and installing a new shower,

tub, and toilet in the existing bathroom and turning the

adjacent laundry room into a dressing room with a large,

double-sink vanity. A pocket door divides the upper and

lower areas.

When the old bath and its acoustical tile ceiling were torn

out, the design team discovered “badly mutilated” ceiling

joists, requiring new joists to be spliced in and plumbing

and waste lines to be reconfigured.

To get more light into the lower part of the bathroom,

Krieger added a taller window, using the existing header at

the top of the window but cutting into the exterior brick to

lower the sill.

The materials choices speak to the owners’ traditional design

sensibility with a simple, modern flair. They opted for hand-

made blue and green ceramic tile for the shower, a vanity

made from reclaimed wood stained a dark color, and a teak

bench for the shower stall. The same reclaimed wood was

used for the front of the tub, and the same tile used in the

While the owners of the 19th-century townhouse appreciated the traditional

shower went into the backsplashes of the vanity sink and tub.

spirit of the house, they also looked for ways to give it a modern flair.

166 Heating, Cooling & Ventilation

above • The tub, toilet, and shower are located in the lower of two levels in this remodeled master bathroom. in the upper part are a two-sink vanity and dressing

room. handmade blue and green ceramic tile at the vanity complements the warm

tones of the recycled wood in the cabinets.

right • The shower incorporates the same tile as the vanity, plus a teak bench.

in.⁄41

13 ft. 61⁄4 in.

6 ft. 4 in.

11 ft. 8

13 ft. 11⁄4 in.

Heating, Cooling & Ventilation 167

Storage

Bathrooms naturally attract clutter, but a combination of open shelving, built-ins,

freestanding cabinets, and the venerable medicine cabinet can keep things in order.

There is no single solution to the universal problem

of where to store toiletries, towels, and other bath-

room supplies. It’s a good guess that a standard medi-

cine cabinet over the sink won’t offer nearly enough

storage capacity for anything other than a powder

room or guest bath.

So where does the rest of it go? Designers and manu-

facturers have come up with a number of solutions,

including freestanding furniture, open shelving, and

large built-in cabinets that use rollout hardware bor-

rowed from kitchen applications. Some bathrooms

may have enough countertop space to handle a lot of

toiletries, reducing the need for cabinet storage. It’s

really a matter of personal preference.

An ideal arrangement includes a linen closet near

the bathroom where towels, washcloths, and other

bulky supplies can be stowed. If that’s not possible,

there are still plenty of options to consider.

above • A large cabinet built into

the wall provides ample storage for

towels, soap, and other supplies.

left • Unlike traditional built-in

cabinetry that rests on the floor, a

wall-mounted unit looks less bulky

and makes it easier to keep the

floor clean.

facing page • Overhead cabinets are

more often seen in the kitchen, but

they can be just as successful in a

bathroom.

170 Storage

Storage 171

Borrowing Ideas

from the Kitchen

Kitchen cabinet manufacturers have introduced a

variety of hinges, drawer slides, and other hardware

to make kitchen storage more convenient, with

an interesting ripple effect in the bathroom. For

example, roll-out pantries that handle canned goods,

spices, and other dry goods also can corral hair dry-

ers and other small bathroom appliances, toothpaste,

and toilet paper.

Large drawers on full-extension, ball-bearing slides

are more convenient than deep, poorly lit cabinet

shelves. While you lose some space side to side in

the cabinet to the slides, chances are good you’ll use

more of the cabinet in the long run since you can

more easily access the full space.

Because manufacturers often produce both bath-

room and kitchen cabinet lines, it’s worth seeing

if some of the newer kitchen storage solutions are

available for bathroom cabinetry. If you’re order-

ing from a local cabinet shop, the hardware can be

sourced from industry suppliers, such as Rev-A-Shelf.

Many others just take a little bit of imagination and

can be site-built from readily available materials and

hardware.

Putting a large drawer on full-

extension slides makes it easy

to find what you’re looking for.

While full-extension slides

often are standard on new

cabinetry, slides are easy to

retrofit on existing drawers.

172 Storage

above • In a kitchen, this kind

of pullout would be used for

canned goods or spices. It’s just

as successful in a bathroom.

left • A rollout wire basket

becomes a convenient clothes

hamper—easy to access yet just

as quickly pushed out of sight.

Storage 173

P U t t I n g I t A l l t O g e t h e r

Unifying Design with

Light and Wood

There’s an Asian flair to this bathroom in a renovated

1950s Minneapolis rambler, not only in the shoji paper

wall sconces but also in the harmonic simplicity of

materials and colors.

The bathroom is part of a bedroom suite in a new sec-

ond floor. Architect David Wagner, a principal at SALA

Architects, kept the palette of materials fairly simple,

choosing to unify the design with the rich color of the

Douglas fir in the ceiling, trim, and cabinets. Interior

glass partitions visually link the bathroom and adjoining

bedroom. Although the rooms are modestly sized, they

don’t feel that way.

Colors and textures were chosen carefully. “Cooler

colors such as a light eucalyptus paint color, two tones

of gray tile for the bathroom floor and shower, and a

mottled blue-green for the sinks and countertop provide

a counterpoint to the warm fir,” Wagner says. These

contrasting colors allow each of the materials to feel in

harmony with the whole composition.

A cast concrete counter with integral sinks is a focal

point of the new bathroom. The 8-in.-thick counter

extends all the way across one wall, supported on one

end by a fir cabinet and dropping down to become a

seat in the shower on the other end of the room.

Wall-mounted faucets above the sinks extend from a

Douglas fir backsplash, helping to keep the countertop

open and uncluttered. At each side of the mirror are

Japanese shoji paper wall sconces and wood-trimmed

incandescent lighting.

A thick concrete vanity top, a focal point of this

new bath in a remodeled home, stretches across

the room and becomes a seat in the shower.

174 Storage

17 ft. 75⁄16 in.

in.⁄1613

33 ft. 9

in.

1 ⁄2

7 ft. 9

above • Shoji wall sconces and spare trim details lend an

Asian feel to the room.

above left • Architect David Wagner limited materials and

6 ft. 69⁄16 in.

colors and balanced the warm tones of the Douglas fir

2 ft. 113⁄4 in.

with cooler tile colors.

Storage 175

Cabinetry

Manufactured cabinetry comes in a tremendous

range of styles, everything from Arts and Crafts and

Shaker to modern minimalist. Beyond the cosmetic

differences, what makes cabinets truly different is

how they are made and what they are made from.

Generally speaking, the more money you spend, the

more durable the materials and the more careful the

assembly. Cabinets fall into three broad categories:

stock, semicustom, and custom.

above • this vanity combines drawers with open shelving, allowing towels and linens to become part of the room’s décor.

left • Bathroom cabinetry doesn’t have to be fancy. this simple cabinet with textured glass doors would be perfect in a smaller guest bath or powder room.

176 Storage

top • this freestanding cabinet tucked beneath a glass-topped

vanity is an attractive and practical storage solution. Standard

cabinet base units designed for solid countertops may need some

extra work if you want a glass top.

above • Cabinets can help set the mood. this paneled vanity and

marble vanity top are solidly traditional if not a little formal.

Storage 177

StOCk

Stock cabinets, the most economical on the market,

are available in limited sizes, colors, and finishes.

They’re kept in stock at big-box stores and kitchen

and furniture showrooms. While appealingly low

in price, some stock cabinets are also low in qual-

ity. Stay away from cabinets made with thin, vinyl-

covered particleboard. Look for tight joinery, drawers

that open and close smoothly, and plywood rather

than particleboard shelving and drawer bottoms.

SemICUStOm

The next grade up from stock is semicustom, and

these cabinets offer more choices in finishes, hard-

ware, and trim and molding details. Like stock

cabinets, semicustom cabinets are made in 3-in.

increments. Materials and hardware may be of

higher quality (full-extension ball-bearing drawer

slides, for example, rather than simple epoxy-coated

slides and plywood construction over particleboard).

You’ll have to order the cabinets; lead times vary by

manufacturer.

above • restraint can be a virtue. this

unadorned cabinet competes with

neither the decorative tile on the

floor nor the colorful subway tile in

the shower.

right • When space permits, a large

vanity that includes a lot of drawer

space is ideal. look for full-extension

ball-bearing slides that travel easily.

178 Storage

above • Specialized cabinetry can fill

awkward spaces. this round-front cabinet

is ideal for a small powder room.

left • Against a neutral background in the

rest of the room, the wood veneer on the

face of this cabinet stands out sharply.

Storage 179

CUStOm

Custom cabinets are at the top of the food chain,

made completely to individual specifications and

typically priced to match. This is the route to take if

you want materials that large manufacturers typically

don’t offer, such as highly figured woods, special

veneers, or unusual trim or finish details. Custom

cabinets can be built to fit a space exactly, without

the use of awkward filler strips, and you can pick

precisely the construction techniques you prefer:

dovetailed drawers and full mortise-and-tenon con-

struction, for example.

Depending on what you order and who you’re buy-

ing it from, lead times can be lengthy, possibly a

matter of months, so that’s something to ask about

while shopping around. There are a few companies

that specialize in custom cabinetry, but you might

do just as well or better with a local cabinet shop or

even an individual cabinetmaker in your area.

Though these industry labels for cabinetry are a

helpful starting point, remember that it’s not so

much what they’re called as how they’re made that

really counts. High-quality materials and finishes

are very important for durability in the bathroom

simply because of the potential for water damage.

Avoid, if you can, particleboard, hardboard, and

similar products unless they’re specially engineered

for water resistance. Avoid cabinets that come with

drawers made from thin material stapled together at

the corners.

above right • Bathroom furniture can

reflect the overall architectural style

of the house, in this case a strong Arts

and Crafts theme.

right • many furniture styles can be

adapted to bathroom use. What looks

like a Federal-style sideboard is really

a marble-topped bathroom vanity.

180 Storage

left • Sleek and stylish, this vanity is well

matched with the bathroom’s overall décor

and combines drawers with open shelving.

below • given enough space, bathroom

storage can include a dressing room with

armoire-like closets, drawers, and even a

shelf for a tV.

Storage 181

t h e e S S e n t I A l S

Cabinet Types

Although spending more usually buys better materials and finishes

and more careful assembly, that’s not always the case. Compare

features, construction, and fit and finish carefully.

StOCk

$

• Most economical choice.

• Made in 3-in. increments.

• Limited number of cabinet styles and finishes.

• Kept in stock at big-box stores and kitchen and bath showrooms.

• Stock cabinetry can be a good buy, but check that materials are water

resistant and robust enough for everyday use. Doors and drawers should

operate smoothly.

SemICUStOm

$$

• More choices for finishes, materials, styles, wood types, and hardware.

• Manufactured in 3-in. increments.

• Can be ordered at home centers or kitchen and bath showrooms. Lead times

for delivery vary by manufacturer.

• Materials and construction techniques typically are of higher quality than

stock cabinets. Look for dovetailed drawers, full-extension drawer slides,

sturdy plywood cabinet boxes, and hardwood drawer sides and face frames.

• When ordering cabinets through a kitchen/bath showroom, ask whether their

services include a personal visit by a designer to ensure cabinets are correctly sized and installed properly.

CUStOm

$$$

• Can be built to a specific height, width, and depth.

• Materials and construction techniques typically are of the best quality.

• You can specify wood species, trim details, and hardware, including door and

drawer pulls, hinge type, and specific molding profiles.

• Custom finishes and paint colors available.

• Lead times can be quite long.

• Available from manufacturers that specialize in custom cabinetry, such as

Rutt, and ordered through local retailers. Shopping locally or regionally also

is an attractive option. Check with smaller cabinet shops, local companies,

and individual cabinetmakers.

above • Instead of conventional drawers, this custom

• Custom makers offer highly personalized design services.

installation uses wicker baskets on open shelves for storage.

the layout also provides generous countertop space.

182 Storage

above • Although this wall-mounted vanity doesn’t offer a

huge amount of storage, it’s a good fit with the minimalist

setting.

right • Simple and effective, this two-level built-in

combines undersink storage with an adjacent full-

height cabinet.

Storage 183

WAll-mOUnteD AnD

FreeStAnDIng CABInetS

Built-in cabinets with a toe-kick at the base have

long been a traditional choice for bathrooms as well

as kitchens, but freestanding cabinets that look more

like furniture (see pp. 186–187) and wall-mounted

cabinets are two other options worth exploring.

If you have a favorite piece of furniture, it might

find a new home in the bathroom; an antique chest

of drawers or a side table, for example, might easily

fit in a corner and be used to store toiletries. Larger

pieces can be adapted for use as a vanity, providing

the materials and construction are robust enough for

use in this environment.

Because its full weight is supported by framing inside

the wall, a wall-mounted vanity requires more care-

ful planning so blocking and structural wall framing

can be located correctly. A wall-hung cabinet may

not have quite as much storage capacity as a built-

in, but it simplifies cleaning because there are no

obstructions for a vacuum or mop. Wall-mounted

cabinets have a light, airy look that can help small

spaces seem larger than they are.

Another consideration is cabinet height. While built-

in vanities can be ordered in a range of standard

heights, sometimes they’re just too low for taller

adults. Switching to a wall-mounted cabinet allows

installation at whatever height is most comfortable

for you, not an arbitrary height dictated by conven-

tion or a cabinet manufacturer.

above • A simple freestanding cabinet

combining drawers, undersink storage, and

open shelves is a good match with the rustic

décor of this bathroom.

right • A custom installation can include unique

details, such as this dressing table created

with a countertop stretching across two base

cabinets.

184 Storage

above • Installing cabinets of different

depths and heights is another way of

adding vitality to bathroom storage.

here, lots of shadow lines and details

make the room lively and interesting.

left • Custom cabinets can be built to

match other trim details in the room,

an extra step but one that makes the

setting a cohesive whole.

Storage 185

D e S I g n g A l l e r y

Stand-alone

Furnishings

Moving a piece of furniture into the bathroom and

option that may be worth exploring. If you

adapting it for use as a vanity or using it as is for

already own the piece, modifying it is probably

storage can be a great way of making the bathroom

going to be less expensive than buying new.

seem homey and comfortable.

Manufactured bathroom furnishings that look

Any good cabinet shop can check to see whether

like freestanding tables also are available,

the necessary internal adjustments can be made to

or you can turn to a local cabinetmaker and

a particular piece of furniture. Modifying a chest

commission a simple piece in your choice of

of drawers into a vanity, for example, could require

wood and finish. Although storage in open-

the removal of some internal drawer dividers or

framed tables is limited, the style can be an

frames—not possible with every piece, but an

appealing alternative to boxy built-ins.

1. A black-lacquered table reflects the Chinese theme

of this bathroom while acting as a backdrop for some

of the homeowner’s Chinese art. 2. A simple metal side

table tucks comfortably into a corner and offers plenty

of storage for a guest bath. The flat finish blends well

with the rest of the room. 3. A simple stand uses baskets

instead of drawers for storage. The open design keeps it

from looking clunky. 4. This attractive vanity combines

open shelving with two deep drawers and manages to

look like a traditional piece of furniture.

1

186 Storage

2

4

3

Storage 187

P U t t I n g I t A l l t O g e t h e r

a Design that’s all

about the Details

One of the chief design goals in the master bathroom reno-

vation at this Minneapolis house was to include the exuber-

ant detailing appropriate for its Victorian heritage while

keeping the room calm and understated at the same time.

Working with the same footprint as the original bathroom,

Rehkamp Larson Architects kept the range of materials to

a minimum, combining custom metal work and cabinetry

with a simple palette of finishes. This was part of the design

team’s philosophy—to highlight the details of the space and

address functional needs in a beautiful way.

The wall tile, vanity top, and tub deck all are Calcutta mar-

ble. The light tones of the cabinetry and walls are a good

match with the stone. The darker beams and window trim

help connect the new bathroom with woodwork in the rest

of the house as well as the oiled bronze fixtures and hard-

above • the vanity design makes it look more like furniture and less

ware in the bathroom. These darker elements help draw the

boxy than a typical built-in.

eye up and around the room.

A feeling of openness throughout the room was important

to the homeowners, and the custom metal and glass shower

contributes to the effect. The dark bronze frame and frosted

glass are meant to be reminiscent of an English garden

conservatory.

Cabinetry was designed with attention to proportions, color,

and texture. The open shelves and furniturelike legs of the

vanity help prevent it from feeling heavy or boxy. To reduce

visible clutter, an open alcove on one side of the makeup

vanity can accommodate necessary appliances and toiletries.

Decorative metal grilles above the vanity area conceal in-

wall speakers.

right • this refurbished master bath incorporates a

custom metal and glass shower surround instead

of more conventional solid walls to keep the room

feeling spacious.

188 Storage

top and above • Designers drew on the Victorian heritage of

the house in such details as the bathtub and vanity faucets

and bronze feet for the vanity.

above • Working with the room’s original footprint, designers were able to

work in a large tub as well as a large shower.

Air-jet bathtub

Low-flow

toilet

Makeup

Marble tile floor

counter

Double vanity

Custom

shower

above • A built-in dressing table includes nooks for towels

and cabinets below for additional storage.

Storage 189

Medicine Cabinets

A medicine cabinet is probably the simplest way to

expand storage in the bathroom. Whether surface

mounted or built into the wall between studs, a

medicine cabinet is tailor-made for all the odds and

ends that collect around the sink. It’s also a practical

necessity for a bathroom with a pedestal sink, which

offers very little room for toiletries on its own.

If your bathroom doesn’t have a medicine cabinet,

adding one should be relatively simple, especially if

you choose a surface-mounted design. Installing a

recessed cabinet isn’t an overwhelming job, either,

provided plumbing and wiring runs inside the wall

won’t interfere. Manufactured cabinets are sized to

fit standard wall framing.

Built-in cabinets don’t intrude into the room, and

they can be custom-made to virtually any size and

shape as long as the builder knows in advance what

you want. Wall framing is typically 16 in. on center,

but it can easily be adjusted for a wider cabinet as

the room is being framed. Trim surrounding the cab-

inet can be elaborate, or it can disappear altogether

above • medicine cabinets don’t have to be located over the sink. this small, flush-mount in favor of an unadorned mirror, making this kind of

cabinet works just as well to the side, saving the over-the-sink spot for a larger mirror.

installation very flexible.

left • A traditional surface-

If you’re looking for something a little funky or a

mounted medicine cabinet

cabinet to match a period home, a variety of online

over the sink is a good

choice when a small

sources offer vintage medicine chests. Or check local

countertop or pedestal

secondhand shops, flea markets, and antique stores.

sink offers little room

for storage.

190 Storage

above • Combined with small open shelves, the

frameless mirrored doors don’t interfere with other

elements in the room.

above right • large mirrored doors without frames or

pulls look clean and uncluttered.

right • recessed cabinets flanking a large central mirror

offer his-and-hers storage options.

D e S I g n g A l l e r y

open Shelves

and Cubbies

The open-shelf look can range anywhere from elegant to campy.

Open shelving can make a bathroom feel more spacious, but don’t

forget that whatever you are storing is out in the open for all to

see. While showing off bottles of mouthwash and half-used tubes

of toothpaste might not interest you, displaying special soaps,

bath salts, and even cotton balls and the like in glass containers

can add to the room’s decor and put them within reach. Of course,

towels, washcloths, and other linens are prime candidates for this

kind of storage as well.

2

1. There’s nothing sloppy about this open-shelf unit

at the foot of the tub. Choosing what to put out in

the open is key. 2. A custom built-in combines open

shelves, enclosed cabinets, and a drawer beneath a seat.

Construction is extremely simple. 3. An open storage

area gets towels within convenient distance of the tub,

and it makes a more interesting detail than a blank wall.

4. A sliding door on an overhead track opens to reveal

a full array of bathroom supplies on simple, slatted

shelving. The arrangement is a perfect match with the

room’s relaxed décor. 5. Shelves made from tempered

glass are less overwhelming visually than solid shelving.

6. Shelves built into the wall display towels, washcloths,

and a few simple containers. Aligning the top shelf with

the top of the beadboard wainscoting helps the cabinet

blend into the room.

1

192 Storage

3

5

6

4

Storage 193

Finishing

Paint, wallpaper, window coverings, and other final touches are the details that

pull the room together, completing the project and giving it a character all its own.

Touches

The hard work is done: mechanical systems and fix-

tures installed, lights updated, wiring and plumbing

in. Yet the room really won’t be complete without a

few important finishing touches. Paint, wallpaper,

window treatments, decorative art, and even the

texture and color of bath towels all can contribute to

the overall success of a new or refurbished bathroom.

Compared to the challenging and time-consuming

work that goes into the underlying structure of a

bathroom, these enhancements will be the most

economical part of the project. Low-cost, however,

doesn’t mean low-impact. Even seemingly small

moves can add appreciably to the overall impact the

room makes and its thematic connection to the rest

of the house.

The tools at your disposal can be pretty simple: paint

and wallpaper, decorative art that can be hung on the

walls, small splashes of color from potted plants,

towels, soap, and toiletries. With more planning, and

a greater investment, you can branch into more elab-

orate surface decorations, such as trompe l’oeil paint-

ing and murals. But start small and see what happens.

above • against a palette of subdued

colors, the bright tile in the back of

the tub, the potted plant on the vanity

top, and even a bar of soap become

details that work

colorful focal points.

Adding Curves

Bathrooms tend to have a rectilinear charac-

ter. The room itself is almost always rectan-

gular, with a rectangular tub and shower stall

and boxy cabinets. Adding a curved section

of countertop or an organically shaped mirror

or wall decoration can be an effective way of

enlivening the room. In this bathroom, both

color and shape have been used to make the

vanity and wall behind it the focal point of

an otherwise plain room.

196 Finishing Touches

above • against a background of pale green paint, a bright yellow flower is a simple yet eye-catching detail.

above left • a combination of patterned wallpaper and a colorful window

covering gives this bathroom an unmistakable period flavor.

left • Matching the color of the walls to decorative tile in the

wainscoting is a powerful way of pulling the room together visually.

Finishing Touches 197

Paint

Paint is an extremely simple way of adding

are often where women apply makeup, some

or removing color, and both of these objec-

designers suggest avoiding colors that make

tives can be important. In a bathroom where

skin tones look unnatural or unhealthy. Color

tile wainscoting, a textured stone floor, or an

can play a role in mood; some are calming,

elaborate tub surround is the focal point, vivid

others are stimulating (bathtub manufacturers,

wall colors may not work as well as quiet ones

in fact, rely on the soothing effects of color to

simply because too many colors and textures

promote bathtub lighting systems; see p. 80).

competing for attention can be unsettling.

Conversely, in a bathroom where plumbing

Because paint color is so easy to change and

fixtures, tile, and other features are on the

bathrooms are rarely huge spaces, why not

bland side, a wall or two of vivid color can

experiment? If one color or color combination

make the room a lot more interesting.

doesn’t have the impact you’re looking for,

the bathroom can always be repainted with a

What makes some colors pleasing and others

minimal investment of time and dollars. Just

alarming or off-putting is, of course, a matter

remember that cost usually affects quality: Buy

of personal preference. But because bathrooms

the best paint you can get your hands on.

left • Bright colors that might seem

overwhelming elsewhere make this

child’s bath fun and cheerful.

right • Coordinating colors on the

walls, cabinetry, and window

treatment give this bath a pleasing

cohesion, and the mellow colors are

soothing.

facing page • white cabinetry, mirrors,

and wainscoting help the deep blue

walls stand out while minimizing

the room-shrinking quality that a

dark paint can have.

t h e e s s e n t i a l s

PAinT

lateX

• Dries quickly.

• Cleans up with solvents.

• Cleans up with water.

• Odor from curing paint may last for

• Buy high-quality paint made with acrylic

days and may adversely affect those

latex.

with chemical sensitivities.

• Contains very small amounts—or no—

• Avoided by green-building advocates

volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

because of VOCs.

No-VOC formulations are favored by

green-building advocates to maintain

sheen

indoor air quality.

• Sheen is a measure of how reflective

• Working characteristics have improved

the cured paint film is, ranging from

dramatically in recent years. Water-based

flat (no sheen) to gloss (high sheen).

paints are now a focus of research and

• Where surfaces are going to be

development by manufacturers as use of

scrubbed periodically or are

oil paints declines.

subjected to more wear and tear,

higher sheens are typically used

oil

because the paint film is more

• Some painters still prefer oil-based paint

durable.

for trim because it flows out smoothly

• Some flat paints are advertised as

and dries hard.

durable enough for vigorous washing.

• Becoming harder to find as government

• Surface flaws are more easily visible

regulations clamp down on VOCs that oil-

under a coat of high-gloss paint; flat

based paints contain.

paint minimizes defects.

Finishing Touches 199

p u t t i n g i t a l l t o g e t h e r

Bath with a View

This master bathroom, part of a new addition and

renovation at a 1908 Minneapolis home, makes

the most of panoramic views of a terraced back-

yard garden and, in the distance, Lake Harriet.

Rehkamp Larson Architects restored and reused

metal-framed windows, helping to blend the

bathroom with the rest of the century-old house.

Pedestal sinks, a claw-foot bathtub, and an antique

crystal light fixture also help give the bathroom a

vintage flavor.

“While the vaulted hall and bath ceilings might be

considered a modern element, the dark chocolate

paint color keeps the spatial drama in check,”

architect Jean Rehkamp Larson says of the re-

designed room.

Careful detailing, particularly in the tile work, also

is important. A tiled carpetlike pattern in the floor

of the hall leading to the main part of the bath

and a double row of mosaics near the top of the

tile wainscoting reinforce the unusual color of the

upper walls and ceiling.

The white floor, white trim and fixtures, and stor-

age closet all help balance the darker upper part of

the room. Although the range of colors is strictly

limited, the room makes a striking visual impact.

Closet

Bathroom

200 Finishing Touches

facing page • white tile wainscoting, a light-

colored tile floor, and white trim balance

the unusual chocolate-colored upper

walls. a band of tile near the top of the

wainscoting connects the two.

right • a carpetlike pattern of tile in the

hallway leading to this master bath is

typical of the attention to detail that

makes the space a success.

below • the bathroom benefits from distant

views of lake harriet in Minneapolis. the

metal-framed windows are refurbished.

Finishing Touches 201

Wallpaper

Wallpaper has seen ups and downs in popularity in

the years since 19th-century manufacturing brought

the price within reach of the middle class. It’s avail-

able in an enormous variety of colors, patterns, and

price ranges and in many of its forms has the poten-

tial to add two elements that most painted surfaces

lack: pattern and texture.

There are brightly colored prints and offbeat borders

that can jazz up a child’s bath or a bathroom in a

summer cottage: sea creatures, surfboards, and tropi-

cal fruit. You’ll find full-wall murals featuring Tuscan

villas or palm trees leaning over a tropical beach.

One of the best uses for wallpaper is in decorating

period homes, which would have had wallpaper

when originally built. Wallpaper patterns varied in

complexity and style depending not only on the era

in which it was originally made but also in the socio-

economic rank of the homeowners and the architec-

tural style of their home. If you’re trying to restore a

correct period style in an older home, enlisting the

help of a local wallpaper pro would be time well

spent. The many online sources of information also

are very helpful.

Always make sure the wallpaper you choose is appro-

priate for use in a bathroom, where high humidity,

occasional exposure to water, and wear and tear

are to be expected. Natural grass and bamboo reed

wallpapers, for example, may look great in the living

room or bedroom but would be impractical choices

in a bath.

the color of this wallpaper isn’t overwhelming, but it has a ribbed texture that gives the walls discernible depth.

202 Finishing Touches

above • wallpaper can

be part of a carefully

orchestrated color scheme,

as evidenced in this

bathroom.

above left • wallpaper

doesn’t have to be dowdy or

old-fashioned. this bright

wall covering of undersea

creatures, is ideal for a

child’s bath.

left • the elegant pattern

of this paper complements

the antique dressing table

mirror, chair, and other

period details in the room.

Finishing Touches 203

Window

coverings

Window coverings in a bathroom are primarily there

for privacy. That much is obvious. But there are a

variety of ways to accomplish that, from louvered

wood shutters and full-length shades to curtains that

cover only the lower portion of windows around the

tub or shower. Window coverings should match the

style of the room: basic white half-curtains look in

keeping in a farmhouse bathroom, heavily brocaded

swag curtains with a set of inner curtains in a Victo-

rian bath.

Curtains also become design elements, picking up

colors used elsewhere in the room or introducing

a decorative motif compatible with other features

or decorations. Curtains and shades also are use-

ful for controlling strong sunlight in western-facing

above • these windows are set high enough in the wall that they are not a privacy concern, windows, helping to keep interiors cool in summer.

so window treatments can be purely decorative.

In bathrooms with large windows, thermal curtains

reduce winter heat losses significantly.

Louvered shutters are an alternative to fabric cur-

tains. They can be adjusted for light and privacy as

needed and swung open completely when they’re

not needed. Shutters offer excellent ventilation, a

plus in places where summers are hot.

right • the combination of louvered shutters with roll-down

window treatment means more color—and privacy—can be

added at a moment’s notice.

204 Finishing Touches

above • shades cover only the bottom half of the windows around the tub, providing privacy where it counts but still admitting light.

far left • louvered interior

shutters block sight

but allow good natural

ventilation.

left • sometimes the window

treatment is the window

itself. substituting glass

block for a conventional

window unit means lots of

light and lots of privacy.

Finishing Touches 205

p u t t i n g i t a l l t o g e t h e r

connecting spaces

with Light and Air

Wooded surroundings of this home in Upper Saddle

River, New Jersey, set the tone for a master bathroom

remodel. A 10-ft.-long bank of windows makes the most

of a lush outdoor setting, while the vaulted ceiling helps

the bathroom feel open and airy.

The shower, measuring roughly 4 ft. by 6 ft., is separated

from the rest of the room by half walls rather than a full

enclosure, a functional detail that keeps water contained

but also makes the shower part of the room as a whole.

Holly Rickert of architects Ulrich, Inc., specified Italian

ceramic tile in shades of blue, gray, and green, meant

to harmonize with colors found in nature. Five differ-

ent sizes and shapes of the same porcelain variety were

used, including shards for the shower and one of the two

vanity tops. As a result, surfaces relate well to each other

without being identical.

Copper also helps unify the design. It’s used at the

round mirror over one of the vanities, in planters that sit

on top of the half-height shower walls, and as a waterfall

detail inside the shower.

A black-lacquer finish, rattan cabinetry, and the warm

tones of wood were designed to create a soft look and

lend an Asian feel the homeowners liked.

Instead of a conventional door entry, the bathroom

uses a panel of etched glass to define the space. Rickert

says the panel depicts a classic Japanese woodcut of

Mount Fuji.

Copper becomes a unifying material. it’s used in the mirror

over the vanity, in a shower detail, and in planters on top

of half walls around the shower.

206 Finishing Touches

above • half-height partitions divide this

new Jersey bathroom into functional

spaces without closing anything off. a large

bank of windows and a vaulted ceiling keep

the room airy.

left • an etched glass panel helps separate

the bathroom from the adjoining bedroom.

without a conventional door, the spaces

flow together.

Finishing Touches 207

d e s i g n g a l l e r y

Details That Make

a Difference

As with any room in the house, add personal details

to your bathroom to help make it feel special,

create a theme, or unify a color scheme. Be mindful

of any artwork, though, as moisture levels will

obviously be higher in the bath than in any other

room in the house, and this can potentially ruin the

work. Shower curtains, throw rugs, and accessories

can be used to complete the space.

1. Simple decorative touches, like these starfish propped on

top of the wainscoting and seashells in the built-in, can reflect

a special interest of the homeowner or connect the room to its

locale. 2. Framed prints add color, and they’re easy to change

periodically to give the room a fresh look. 3. A splash of color

that contrasts sharply with the background can be an effective

detail. 4. Monogrammed towels on display beneath an antique

vanity spell homey tradition. 5. The artwork over the tub takes

center stage and is the inspiration for the bath’s color scheme.

1

208 Finishing Touches

4

2

3

5

Finishing Touches 209

r e s o urc e s

Organizations and Manufacturers

Associations

and Suppliers

The AmericAn insTiTuTe of

ADAgio

grohe fAuceTs

runTAl norTh AmericAn

ArchiTecTs

www.adagiosinks.com

www.groheamerica.com

www.runtalnorthamerica.com

www.aia.org

(877) 988-2297

(630) 582-7711

(800) 526-2621

(800) AIA-3837

Sinks

Faucets

Heated towel bars

BAThTuB refinishing

AmericAn sTAnDArD

jAcuzzi Whirlpool BATh

sAniflo inc.

AssociATion of AmericA

www.americanstandard-us.com

www.jacuzzi.com

www.saniflo.com

www.braoa.org

(800) 442-1902

(800) 288-4402

(800) 363-5874

(310) 893-0847

Plumbing fixtures

Whirlpool bathtubs

Macerating toilets

cenTer for universAl Design

ArmsTrong

KeiDel supply co.

ToTo

www.design.ncsu.edu/cud

www.armstrong.com

www.keidel.com

www.totousa.com

(919) 515-3082

(800) 233-3823

(513) 351-1600

(770) 282-8686

Flooring

Fixtures and faucets

Plumbing fixtures

green BuilDing ADvisor

www.greenbuildingadvisor.com

BroAn-nuTone

Kohler co.

vicToriA + AlBerT

(866) 325-2558

www.broan-nutone.com

www.kohler.com

www.englishtubs.com

(800) 445-6057

(800) 456-4537

(800) 421-7189

mArBle insTiTuTe of AmericA

Ventilation equipment

Plumbing fixtures

Soaking tubs

www.marble-institute.com

(440) 250-9222

chicAgo fAuceTs

mAnsfielD plumBing proDucTs

www.chicagofaucets.com

www.mansfieldplumbing.com

nATionAl AssociATion of

(847) 803-5000

(877) 850-3060

home BuilDers

Faucets

Plumbing fixtures

www.nahb.org

(800) 368-5242

DelTA fAuceT co.

mTi Whirlpools

www.deltafaucet.com

www.mtiwhirlpools.com

nATionAl AssociATion of The

(800) 345-3358

(800) 783-8827

remoDeling inDusTry

Faucets

Whirlpool bathtubs

www.nari.org

(847) 298-9200

eljer mAnufAcTuring co.

myson inc.

www.eljer.com

www.mysoninc.com

nATionAl KiTchen & BATh

(800) 442-1902

(800) 698-9690

AssociATion

Plumbing fixtures

Towel warmers

www.nkba.org

(800) 843-6522

ellA’s WAlK-in TuBs

pAnAsonic

www.ellaswalkintubs.com

www.panasonic.com

Tile council of norTh AmericA

(800) 480-6850

(866) 292-7292

www.tileusa.com

Walk-in bathtubs

Ventilation equipment

(864) 646-8453

fAnTech

porcher

www.fantech.net

www.porcher-us.com

(800) 747-1762

(800) 359-3261

Ventilation equipment

Plumbing fixtures

210

c r eDi T s

CHAPTer 1

CHAPTer 2

p. 51: © Olson Photographic (top

CHAPTer 3

p. 6: © Karen Melvin

p. 32: © eric roth

left and bottom); © Ken Gutmaker

p. 70: © Mark Lohman, design:

(top right)

p. 8: © Gridley + Graves, architect:

p. 34: © Karen Melvin, design:

Carolyn Oliver Design

Moulton Layne, P.L., www.

David Heide Design

pp. 52-53: © Zach DeSart (all)

p. 72: © Mark Lohman, design:

moultonlayne.com (top); © Gridley

p. 35: © Mark Lohman (top left);

p. 54: courtesy American Standard

Michael Lee Architects (right);

+ Graves, architect: Moulton

courtesy Kohler (top right); © Mark

p. 55: courtesy Kohler (top left);

© Karen Melvin, design: Sawhill

Layne, P.L., www.moultonlayne.

Lohman, design: Nancy McDonald

courtesy American Standard

Kitchens (left)

com; interior designer: rod Mickley

Design (bottom)

(bottom left and right)

p. 73: © eric roth (top); © Ken

Interiors, www.rodmickley.com

Gutmaker (bottom)

(bottom)

p. 36: © Mark Lohman

p. 56: © eric roth (all)

p. 74: © eric roth

p. 9: © randy O’rourke

p. 37: courtesy Kohler (top and

p. 57: © eric roth

bottom left); © Gridley + Graves

p. 75: © eric roth (top); © Karen

p. 10: © Olson Photographic (top);

p. 58: © Gridley + Graves, archi-

(bottom right)

Melvin, design: Beret evenstad

© Mark Lohman (bottom)

tect: Moulton Layne, P.L., www.

p. 38: © Mark Lohman

moultonlayne.com; interior

Design, Martha O’Hara Interiors

p. 11: © Mark Lohman

(bottom)

p. 39: © Tria Giovan (top left);

designer: rod Mickley Interiors,

p. 12: © Ken Gutmaker (top);

courtesy Kohler (top right); © eric

www.rodmickley.com (top right);

p. 76: © Mark Lohman, design:

© Anne Gummerson (bottom)

roth (bottom right)

© Gridley + Graves, design: SCW

Michael Lee Architects (top);

p. 13: © Tria Giovan

Interiors, www.scwinteriors.com

© eric roth (bottom)

p. 40: courtesy Kohler (top); © Mark

(bottom right); © eric roth (left)

pp. 14-15: © Ken Gutmaker (all)

Lohman, design: rohl Kitchen &

p. 77: © randy O’rourke

p. 59: © Ken Gutmaker (left);

p. 16: © Olson Photographic

Bath (bottom left); © eric roth

p. 78: © Karen Melvin, design:

(bottom right)

© Mark Lohman, design: Janet

Pappas Design

p. 17: © eric roth

Lohman Interior Design (right)

p. 41: © Mark Lohman, design:

p. 79: © Tria Giovan (top); © Karen

p. 19: © Greg Hursley (left);

Barclay Butera Inc.

p. 60: courtesy Kohler (top); © Ken

Melvin, design: Touraine richmond

© Todd Caverly (right)

Gutmaker (bottom)

p. 42: © Art Grice (left); © Mark

Architects (bottom)

p. 20: © Mark Lohman

Lohman (right)

p. 61: courtesy Kohler (top left and

p. 80: courtesy Kohler (top);

p. 21: © Ken Gutmaker (left);

bottom left); courtesy American

p. 43: courtesy Kohler (top and

courtesy Meditub (bottom)

© Greg Hursley (right)

Standard (bottom right)

bottom)

p. 81: © Mark Lohman (left);

p. 23: courtesy Kohler

p. 62: © Mark Lohman, design:

p. 44: © Tria Giovan (top); courtesy

© Tria Giovan (right)

Janet Lohman Interior Design (top);

p. 24: © Mark Lohman, design:

Kohler (bottom left and bottom

courtesy Mansfield ecoQuantum

p. 82: © eric roth

Nicholas/Budd Architects (left);

right)

(bottom)

p. 83: © Mark Lohman

© Olson Photographic (right)

p. 45: © Mark Lohman, design:

p. 63: © eric roth

p. 84: © Mark Lohman, design:

p. 26: © Ken Gutmaker (top);

Kathryn Designs

Cynthia Marks Interiors

courtesy Kohler (bottom)

p. 64: courtesy American Standard

p. 46: © Todd Caverly (top);

p. 85: © Karen Melvin, design:

p. 27: courtesy Kohler

© Mark Lohman (bottom)

p. 65: courtesy American Standard

(all)

Calibur Legacy Builders

pp. 28-29: © Trent Bell

p. 47: © eric roth (top left);

p. 66: courtesy Toto USA (top);

pp. 86-87: Ken Gutmaker (all)

p. 30: © Karen Melvin, design:

© Dulcie Horowitz (top right);

courtesy Kohler (bottom)

p. 88: © Ken Gutmaker (top and

Carla Bast Interior Design, M.e.

© Todd Caverly (bottom)

bottom)

Gardiner Interior Design

p. 48: © Tria Giovan

p. 67: courtesy Villeroy & Boch (top

left); courtesy Kohler (top right);

p. 89: © Ken Gutmaker

p. 31: © Ken Gutmaker

p. 49: © Ken Gutmaker (top);

courtesy Duravit (bottom)

© Tria Giovan (bottom)

pp. 68-69: © Greg Auseth (all)

211

p. 90: © Ken Gutmaker

com (bottom); courtesy Sharon

p. 124: © Olson Photographic (top);

p. 145: © Mark Lohman (top);

p. 91: © Karen Melvin, design:

McCormick Design (right)

© randy O’rourke (bottom)

© Karen Melvin, design: Albertsson

Merillat Cabinetry (top); © Tria

Hansen Architecture (bottom)

p. 107: © randy O’rourke

p. 125: © Olson Photographic

Giovan (bottom)

p. 146: © Olson Photographic

p. 108: © eric roth (top); © Mark

p. 126: © Karen Melvin, design:

p. 92: © eric roth (top); Ken

Lohman, design: Janet Lohman

Beret evenstad Designs, Martha

p. 147: © Coles Hairston (top left);

Gutmaker (bottom left); © Mark

Interior Design (bottom)

O’Hara Interiors (top); © Anne

© Ken Gutmaker (bottom left);

Lohman, design: Janet Lohman

Gummerson (bottom)

© randy O’rourke (right)

p. 109: © Michael Fein, design:

Interior Design (bottom right)

Lewis Design, builder: Payne

p. 127: © Mark Lohman (left and

p. 148: © Anne Gummerson (top);

p. 93: © Ken Gutmaker

Bouchier (left); © eric roth (right)

right)

© Greg Hursley (bottom)

p. 94: © Mark Lohman (top);

pp. 110-111: © Trent Bell (all)

p. 128: rob Yagid, courtesy Fine

p. 149: © Greg Hursley

© Karen Melvin, design: Casa Verde

Homebuilding magazine, © The

p. 112: © Ken Gutmaker (top);

p. 150: © eric roth (all)

(center); © Mark Lohman, design:

Taunton Press, Inc. (left); © Anne

© randy O’rourke (bottom)

Nancy McDonald Design (bottom)

p. 151: © Anne Gummerson (all)

Gummerson (right)

p. 113: © Anne Gummerson

p. 95: © Ken Gutmaker (top left);

p. 129: © Mark Lohman, design:

© Mark Lohman (bottom left and

p. 114: © Olson Photographic

Carolyn Oliver Design

CHAPTer 6

right)

p. 115: © Olson Photographic (left);

p. 130: © Todd Caverly

p. 152: Brian Potolilo, courtesy Fine

p. 96: © eric roth

courtesy Mannington (right)

Homebuilding magazine, © The

p. 131: © Todd Caverly (top);

p. 97: © Mark Lohman (all), design:

p. 116: courtesy Mannington

Taunton Press, Inc.

© Greg Hursley (bottom)

rohl Kitchen & Bath (top left and

p. 117: courtesy Fine Homebuilding

p. 154: © Anne Gummerson

pp. 132-133: © Ken Gutmaker (all)

bottom right), design: Kathryn

magazine, © The Taunton

p. 155: © Todd Caverly (top);

Designs (top right)

Press, Inc. (top); courtesy Fine

© Greg Hursley (bottom)

pp. 98-99: © Zach DeSart (all)

Homebuilding magazine

CHAPTer 5

pp. 156-157: © Trent Bell (all)

p. 118: © Tria Giovan (top);

p. 134: © Coles Hairston

p. 158: © Karen Melvin, design:

© Karen Melvin, design: Martha

CHAPTer 4

p. 136: © randy O’rourke (top);

Sylvestre Construction

O’Hara Interiors (bottom left);

© Coles Hairston (bottom)

p. 100: © eric roth

© Olson Photographic (bottom

p. 159: © Karen Melvin, design:

p. 137: © Todd Caverly (top);

p. 102: © Olson Photographic (top);

right)

Casa Verde

© Greg Hursley (bottom)

© Tria Giovan (bottom left); © Ken

p. 119: © Karen Melvin, design:

p. 160: Krysta Doerfler, courtesy

Gutmaker (bottom right)

p. 138: © Todd Caverly (top);

Sylvestre Construction

Fine Homebuilding magazine,

© Coles Hairston (bottom left);

p. 103: © Tria Giovan

© The Taunton Press, Inc. (all)

p. 120: © Olson Photographic (left);

© Mark Lohman, design: Barclay

p. 104: © eric roth (bottom

© Gridley + Graves (right)

p. 161: © Greg Hursley (all)

Butera Inc. (bottom right)

left); courtesy Fine Homebuilding

p. 121: © Gridley + Graves,

p. 162: © Anne Gummerson

pp. 140-141: © Ken Gutmaker (all)

magazine, © The Taunton Press,

architect: Moulton Layne, P.L.,

p. 163: Krysta Doerfler, courtesy

Inc. (right)

p. 142: © Mark Lohman, design:

www.moultonlayne.com; interior

Fine Homebuilding magazine,

Nancy McDonald Design

p. 105: courtesy Fine Homebuilding

designer: rod Mickley Interiors,

© The Taunton Press, Inc. (all)

magazine, © The Taunton Press,

www.rodmickley.com

p. 143: © Todd Caverly

p. 164: courtesy runtal (top);

Inc. (all)

p. 122: © Ken Gutmaker (left and

p. 144: © Anne Gummerson

© Coles Hairston (bottom)

p. 106: © Olson Photographic

right)

p. 165: courtesy Nuheat Industries

(top); © Gridley + Graves, design:

p. 123: © randy O’rourke (top);

(all)

SCW Interiors, www.scwinteriors.

© Gridley + Graves (bottom)

p. 166: © Zach DeSart (all)

212  Credits

CHAPTer 7

p. 187: © Ken Gutmaker (top left);

p. 208: © Mark Lohman

p. 168: © Karen Melvin, design: YA

© Anne Gummerson (bottom left);

p. 209: © Mark Lohman (top left

Architects

© Todd Caverly (right)

and top right); © Tria Giovan

p. 169: © Todd Caverly (top);

pp. 188-189: © Greg Auseth (all)

(bottom left); © eric roth

© Karen Melvin, design: Casa Verde

p. 190: © Tria Giovan (top); © Todd

(bottom right)

(bottom)

Caverly (bottom)

p. 170: © Todd Caverly (top); ©

p. 191: © Chris Cooper (left);

Karen Melvin, design: Sylvestre

© Ken Gutmaker (top right);

Construction (bottom)

© Mark Lohman (bottom right)

p. 171: © Karen Melvin, design:

p. 192: © Olson Photographic (top

Merillat Cabinetry (top and bottom)

and bottom)

pp. 172-173: © Greg Auseth (all)

p. 193: © Ken Gutmaker (top

p. 176: © eric roth (left); © Anne

left and top right); © Tria Giovan

Gummerson (right)

(bottom left and bottom right)

p. 177: © Karen Melvin (top);

© randy O’rourke (bottom)

CHAPTer 8

p. 178: © Olson Photographic (top);

p. 194: © Anne Gummerson

© Mark Lohman, design: Barclay

p. 196: © Greg Hursley (top and

Butera Inc. (bottom)

bottom)

p. 179: © eric roth (left and right)

p. 197: © Anne Gummerson (top

p. 180: © Karen Melvin, design:

left); © Chris Cooper (bottom left);

David Heide Design; © randy

© eric roth (right)

O’rourke (bottom)

p. 198: © Anne Gummerson (left);

p. 181: © Chris Cooper (top);

eric roth (right)

© Karen Melvin, design: YA

p. 199: © Anne Gummerson

Architects (bottom)

pp. 200-201: © Greg Auseth (all)

p. 182: © Tria Giovan

p. 202: © Greg Hursley

p. 183: © Chris Cooper (top);

© randy O’rourke (bottom)

p. 203: © Todd Caverly (top left);

courtesy Ulrich Inc. (top right);

p. 184: © Gridley + Graves,

© Anne Gummerson (bottom)

design: Craig Kettles, C designs,

www.c-designs.biz (top); © randy

p. 204: © Anne Gummerson (top);

O’rourke (bottom)

© Olson Photographic (bottom)

p. 185: Brian Urso, courtesy Sharon

p. 205: © Anne Gummerson (top);

McCormick Design (top); © randy

© eric roth (bottom left); © Greg

O’rourke (bottom)

Hursley (bottom right)

p. 186: courtesy Ulrich Inc.

pp. 206-207: courtesy Ulrich Inc.

(all)

Credits  213

inD e x

A

creating multiple sources of

Center for Universal Design, 22

recycled materials for, 46,

light, 140–41

Centerset faucets, 54

48, 50

Above-counter sinks, 35, 44–45,

dormer bathroom, 98–99

solid surface, 46, 50

54, 56

CFLs (Compact fluorescent

handicapped accessible with

lamps), 139, 142, 144

stone, 46, 47, 48–49, 50

Accent lighting, 136, 142,

old-fashioned feel,

tile, 36, 50

148–49

Children’s bathrooms

28–29

countertop materials for, 46

undermount sinks for, 40

ADA (Americans with

modern feel in an old space,

design of, 8, 68–69

wood, 46, 50

Disabilities Act), 22, 60,

110–11

painted walls for, 198

Cubbies, for storage, 192–93

61, 108

small bathroom design, 14–15

showerheads for, 96

Curbless showers, 17, 22, 24–25,

Aging in place, 26, 28–29

two bathrooms from one,

tubs for, 88

90–91

specialist, 26

156–57

wallpaper for, 202

Custom cabinets, 180–81, 182,

Air-conditioning, 154

two-level, 166–67

Chromotherapy tubs. See Color

185

Air-jet tubs, 76–77, 189

Victorian heritage details,

188–89

therapy tubs

Air-to-air heat pumps, 154

D

Bathroom remodeling cost vs.

Claw-foot tubs, 75, 84, 85,

Alcoves, 18

value study of, 5

200–201

Decorative touches, 208–209

Ambient lighting, 136, 142–43,

unexpected problems during,

Closets

Design. See Bathroom design

150–51

10

linen, 170

Design professionals, 12, 16

Americans with Disabilities Act

Bathtub refinishing Association

walk-in, 19

Disabilities, bathroom designs

(ADA), 22, 60, 61, 108

of America, 84

Coefficient of friction, defined,

for, 26 28–29

Antiscald mixing valves, 22

Bathtubs. See Tubs

108

Door thresholds, 22, 24

Arts and Crafts cabinets, 180

Bidets, 66–67

Color rendering index, 145

Doorways, width of, 22

Asian flair design, 174–75, 206–7

Built-in storage, 92, 94–95,

Colors

Dormers, 98–99

Attic bathroom design, 52–53

182–83, 190

coordinating, 11, 198–99

as focal points, 196

Dressing rooms, 18, 19, 181

B

Built-in tubs, 81, 82–83

for small bathrooms, 14–15

Dressing tables, 189

Color temperature scale, 145

Dual-flush toilets, 64

Bamboo floors, 114

c

Color therapy tubs, 74, 80

Ductless mini-splits, 154

Baskets, as storage option,

Cabinets, 170–71, 176–85

182–83, 186, 187

Combination tub/showers, 72,

Arts and Crafts, 180

74, 88, 92–93

e

Bathroom design, 6–31

custom, 180–81, 182, 185

electric baseboard heating, 164

basic strategies for, 18

Federal style, 180

Comfort-height toilets, 60

for children’s bathrooms,

freestanding, 184–85

Compact fluorescent lamps

electric heating mats, 109, 165

68–69

kitchen ideas for the

(CFLs), 139, 142, 144

electron stimulated

connecting spaces with light

bathroom, 172–73

Composting toilets, 64, 65

luminescence (eSL)

and air, 206–7

medicine, 170, 190–91

Concrete countertops, 48, 49, 50,

technology, 139

professionals for, 12–13, 16

overhead, 171

174–75

energy conservation, 5, 30–31

for small bath, 14–15, 86–87

semicustom, 182

Condensation, 154

energy-recovery ventilators, 154,

T-shaped, 52–53

stock, 178, 182

Console sinks, 34, 38–39

163

two-level, 166–167

wall-mounted, 184–85

Cooling systems, 152–55

engineered wood floors, 105,

universal design for, 20–27

Carpet, 104

114–15

water distribution systems for,

Copper, 206–7

Ceiling heat panels, 165

eSL (electron stimulated

30–31

Cork floors, 105, 115

Ceiling-mounted fans, 158–59,

luminescence)

Bathroom layouts

Countertops, 46–51

160

technology, 139

with an Asian flair, 174–75

concrete, 48, 49, 50, 174–75

Ceiling-mounted slings, 26

european-style radiators, 165

attic bathroom, 52–53

curves in, 196

bath with a view, 200–201

Ceilings, 100–103, 118–31

height of, 22

f

borrowing natural light for,

lighting in, 122, 142, 143

laminate, 46, 50

132–33

materials for, 124

materials for, 50

Fan/light fixtures, 142

borrowing space for, 86–87

one-piece sink for, 40

Fans, 122, 158–63

214

ceiling-mounted, 158–59, 160

Heating, 152–55, 164–65

ceiling, 122, 142, 143

o

in-line, 160

electric baseboard, 164

design for, 140–41

switches and timers for,

radiant-floor, 164, 165

design gallery of, 150–51

One-piece sink countertops, 40

162–63

spot, 154, 155, 164

fan/light fixtures for, 142

Open shelves, 182–83, 186–87,

wall-mounted, 160

Heat lamps, 155, 164, 165

fluorescent, 139, 142

192–93

Faucets, 54–59

Heat panels, wall and ceiling,

interior windows for, 132–33,

Overhead cabinets, 171

gooseneck, 59

165

140–41

monoblock, 54, 56, 58, 59

Heat pumps, air-to-air, 154

recessed, 148

p

surface-mounted, 44, 56

in showers, 144–45, 146, 147,

Heat-recovery ventilators, 154,

Paint, latex vs. oil, 199

types of, 54

150, 151

163

wall-mounted, 54, 55, 56, 59,

task, 136–37, 142, 144–47,

Painted walls, 102, 118, 130, 197,

174

High-efficiency toilets, 64–65

151

198–99

widespread, 54, 55, 58, 59

“Home-run” distribution systems,

transoms for, 19

Pedestal sinks, 24–25, 38–39, 54,

Federal-style cabinets, 180

30

See also Natural lighting

190

Fireplace, gas, 164

Hot water heaters, 74, 96

Linen closets, 170

Physical vapor deposition (PVD),

56, 58

Fixtures, 32–69

Humidstats, 162

Linoleum, 48, 105, 115

See also Faucets; Sinks; Toilets

i

Louvered shutters, 13, 204, 205

Pinhole lights, 148

Floors, 100–103, 104–17

Low-flow toilets, 61

Planning. See Bathroom design

cork, 105, 115

Incandescent bulbs, 139

Plastic laminate countertops, 50

laminate, 104, 116–17

Infrared lamps, 155, 164, 165

m

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 116

linoleum, 48, 105, 115

In-line fans, 160

Macerating toilets, 62

Powder rooms

materials for, 104–105

Interior windows, 132–33,

MaP (Maximum Performance)

countertop materials for, 46

stone, 105, 112–13

140–41

testing, 61

lighting for, 142

tile, 103, 105, 106–109

pedestal sinks for, 38

vinyl, 104, 116–17

j

Mats, electric heating, 109, 165

wall-mounted sinks for, 42

wood, 102, 105, 114–15

Maximum Performance (MaP)

wood paneling for, 8

Fluorescent lights, 139, 142

Japanese tubs. See Soaking tubs

testing, 61

Pressure-assist toilets, 62

Freestanding cabinets, 184–85

K

MDF (Medium-density

Professional planners, 12–13, 16

fiberboard), 130, 131

Freestanding tubs, 83, 84–85

Programmable controls, in

Medicine cabinets, 170, 190–91

Furniture, stand-alone, 186–87

Knee hole accessibility, in

universal design, 22

cabinets, 22

Medium-density fiberboard

g

Programmable switches, 162

l

(MDF), 130, 131

PVD (Physical vapor deposition),

Monoblock faucets, 54, 56, 58,

Gas fireplaces, 164

56, 58

Laminate countertops, 46, 50

59

Glass blocks, 14–15, 147

Laminate floors, 104, 116–17

r

Glass panels, full-width, 16–17

n

Lamps, infrared, 155, 164, 165

Gooseneck faucets, 59

radiant-floor heating, 164, 165

Layouts. See Bathroom layouts

Natural lighting, 136

Grab bars, 22, 26–27

radiators, european-style, 165

Leadership in energy and

combining with artificial

Gray water, 31

recessed lighting, 148

environmental Design

lighting, 150–51

Green building, 5, 30–31, 154

recycled materials, 46, 48, 50

(LeeD), 48

design for, 18, 150–51

See also recycled materials

interior windows for, 132–33,

removable grab bars, 26–27

LeDs (Light-emitting diodes),

140–41

h

139

resource conservation, 5, 30–31

privacy and, 136, 147

Lightbulbs, 139

skylights for, 14, 140–41, 161

Halogen bulbs, 139, 148

s

Light-emitting diodes (LeDs),

in small bathrooms, 14–15

Handheld showers, 20, 22, 23, 24

139

Self-rimming sinks, 36–37, 54

Niches, 92, 94–95, 192–93

Handicapped accessibility,

Lighting, 134–51

Semicustom cabinets, 182

20–27, 28–29

accent, 136, 142, 148–49

Shelves, open, 182–83, 186–87,

Heaters, toe-kick, 165

ambient, 136, 142–43, 150–51

192–93

Index  215

inD e x

Showerheads, 17, 96–97

open shelves for, 182–83,

lighting for, 145

Wall-mounted faucets, 54, 55,

Showers, 70–73, 88–93

186–87, 192–93

materials for, 82

56, 59, 174

antiscald mixing valves for, 22

stand-alone furniture for,

refinishing old tubs, 84

Wall-mounted sinks, 42–43, 56

curbless, 17, 22, 24–25, 90–91

186–87

slipper, 84

Wallpaper, 12–13, 118, 202–203

custom, 9

See also Cabinets

soaking, 8, 9, 14–15, 73, 75,

antique patterned, 124–25

fans in, 161

Surface-mounted faucets, 44, 56

78–79

powder room, 122

half walls for, 206–7

Sustainability, 5

walk-in (with doors), 80

theme of, 120–21

handheld, 20, 22, 23, 24

Switches, 162–63

water-jetted, 76

Walls, 100–103, 118–31

lighting in, 144–45, 146, 147,

weight of, 74

curves in, 196

150, 151

T

whirlpool, 74–75

materials for, 124

oversize, 88, 144–45

painted, 102, 118, 130, 197,

programmable controls for, 22

Task lighting, 136–37, 142,

u

198–99

universal design for, 21

144–47, 151

Undermount sinks, 35, 40–41, 54

stone, 126–29, 188–89

windows in, 147, 150

Tile

Universal design, 20–27

tile, 103, 119, 120, 123, 124–

Shower/tub combinations, 72,

color matching, 197

Uplighting, 148

25, 126–29, 166–67

74, 88, 92–93

countertops, 36, 50

Urinals, 66–67

wainscoting, 118, 122, 125,

Shutters, louvered, 13, 204, 205

electric heating mats for, 109,

128, 130

165

Sinks, 34–45

wood, 102, 130–31, 133

floors, 103, 105, 106–109

v

above-counter (vessel), 35,

storage niches, 94–95

Wall washing (lighting), 148

44–45, 54, 56

Vanities, 10, 176–85

wainscoting, 128

Water conservation, 5, 30–31, 96

console, 34, 38–39

custom, 180–81

walls, 103, 119, 120, 123,

Water distribution systems, 30

faucets for, 54–59

lighting for, 144–47

124–25, 126–29,

Water-jetted tubs, 76

pedestal, 24–25, 38–39, 54,

stone, 12

166–67

190

wall-mounted, 183

Water resistance, of flooring, 104

Wynn Hotel and Casino-

self-rimming, 36–37, 54

See also Cabinets

WaterSense standards, 61, 64

inspired, 127

types of, 34

Ventilation, 5, 152–55, 158–63

Wheelchair accessibility, 20–27

undermount, 35, 40–41, 54

Timers, 162–63

See also Fans

Whirlpool tubs, 74–75

wall-mounted, 42–43, 56

Toe-kick heaters, 165

Ventilators

Widespread faucets, 54, 55, 58,

Skylights, 14, 140–41, 161

Toilets, 60–65

energy-recovery, 154, 163

59

Slings, ceiling-mounted, 26

ADA compliant, 22

heat-recovery, 154, 163

Windows, 136, 150–51

comfort-height, 60

Slipper tubs, 84

Vessel sinks, 35, 44–45, 54, 56

ambient light from, 142

composting, 64, 65

Soaking tubs, 73, 78–79

Vinyl floors, 104, 116–17

interior, 132–33, 140–41

dual-flush, 64

design for, 8, 9, 75

privacy and, 136, 147

high-efficiency, 64–65

in small bathrooms, 14–15

W

in showers, 147, 150

low-flow, 61

Solid-surface countertops, 46, 50

See also Natural lighting

macerating, 62

Wainscoting

Solid wood. See Wood

pressure-assist, 62

beadboard, 122

Window treatments, 197, 198–

99, 204–205

Sones, defined, 158, 159

special-purpose, 60, 62–63

height of, 128

Wood

Special-purpose toilets, 60, 62–63

wall-hung, 62, 63, 156, 157

paneled, 118, 125

tile, 123

Asian flair design for, 174–75

Spot heating, 154, 155, 164

Tongue-and-groove paneling,

wood, 130

countertops, 46, 50

Stock cabinets, 178, 182

131

Walkers, accessibility for, 22

floors, 102, 105, 114–15

Stone

Towel warmers, 98, 99, 164, 165

Walk-in closets, 19

walls, 102, 130–31, 133

countertops, 46, 47, 48–49, 50

Tubs, 70–73, 74–87

Wood look-alikes, 130–31

floors, 105, 112–13

air-jet, 76–77, 189

Walk-in tubs, 80

walls, 126–29, 188–89

built-in, 81, 82–83

Wall heat panels, 165

Storage, 168–93

for children, 88

Wall-hung toilets, 62, 63, 156,

built-in, 92, 94–95, 182–83,

claw-foot, 75, 84, 85, 200–201

157

190

color therapy, 74, 80

Wall-mounted cabinets, 184–85

niches for, 92, 94–95, 192–93

freestanding, 83, 84–85

Wall-mounted fans, 160

216  Index

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HOUSE & HOME

tHe batHrOOm Of YOur

dreamS StartS Here!

over 350 ideas for bathrooms of all sizes and styles, as

well as top-notch design advice, create the most complete

and timely bathroom design sourcebook. Inside you’ll find

unlimited inspiration for functional yet beautiful baths

plus must-have information to make smart buying choices

whether updating an old bath or designing a new one.

Scott GibSon writes for a number of publications, including Fine

Homebuilding. He also is the author of Bathroom Ideas that Work and

The Workshop as well as the co-author of Green from the Ground Up,

Toward a Zero Energy Home, and Blanket Chests.

Special featureS include:

detailS tHat WOrK: highlights a special element

that can put its mark on your bathroom

tHe eSSentialS: comparison charts that provide

the most important information you need to make smart buying

decisions

deSiGn GallerieS: showcase even more options

for everything from cabinets and sinks to flooring and lighting

puttinG it all tOGetHer: case studies

that show you dozens of bathrooms that work in a range of

sizes and styles

Look for other Taunton Press books

The Taunton Press

Visit www.finehomebuilding.com for the

wherever books are sold or visit our

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Document Outline

FrontCover

FOB

CH01

CH02

CH03

CH04

CH05

CH06

CH07

CH08

BOB

Backcover

Document Outline

- Introduction 5

- chapter 3

- chapter 1

- Bathtubs ......................... 74

- the essentials

- Putting Ideas into Practice ........ 12

- Freestanding Tubs ............... 84

- putting it all together

- Borrowing Space Allows a Bath to Grow . . . . 86

- Showers ......................... 88

- Hiring the Right People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

- Making Design Accessible ........ 20

- Combination Tub/Showers ....... 92

- Showerheads .................... 96

- Handicapped-Accessible with an

- Finding Space under the Eaves . . . . . . . . . . 98

- Managing Energy and

- chapter 4

- chapter 2

- Floors .......................... 104

- Sinks ............................ 34

- Countertops ..................... 46

- Countertop Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

- Making an Old Space Feel Modern . . . . . . 110

- Walls and Ceilings .............. 118

- Grand Lifestyle Meets Modern Realities . . . . 52

- Faucets .......................... 54

- Walls and Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

- Toilets ........................... 60

- Toilets That Save Water .......... 64

- Vegas-Inspired Wild Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

- Urinals and Bidets ............... 66

- Borrowing Light from the Room Next Door 132

- Better, Not Bigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

- chapter 5

- chapter 7

- Borrowing Ideas from the

- Lightbulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

- Creating Multiple Sources of Light . . . . . . 140

- Unifying Design with Light and Wood . . . . 174

- Ambient Lighting ............... 142

- Cabinetry ....................... 176

- Task Lighting ................... 144

- Accent Lighting ................. 148

- Cabinet Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

- chapter 6

- A Design that’s All about the Details . . . . . . 188

- Medicine Cabinets .............. 190

- chapter 8

- Making Two Bathrooms from One . . . . . . . 156

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

chapter 3

chapter 1

Bathtubs ......................... 74

the essentials

Putting Ideas into Practice ........ 12

Freestanding Tubs ............... 84

putting it all together

Borrowing Space Allows a Bath to Grow . . . . 86

Showers ......................... 88

Hiring the Right People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Making Design Accessible ........ 20

Combination Tub/Showers ....... 92

Showerheads .................... 96

Handicapped-Accessible with an

Finding Space under the Eaves . . . . . . . . . . 98

Managing Energy and

chapter 4

chapter 2

Floors .......................... 104

Sinks ............................ 34

Countertops ..................... 46

Countertop Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Making an Old Space Feel Modern . . . . . . 110

Walls and Ceilings .............. 118

Grand Lifestyle Meets Modern Realities . . . . 52

Faucets .......................... 54

Walls and Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Toilets ........................... 60

Toilets That Save Water .......... 64

Vegas-Inspired Wild Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Urinals and Bidets ............... 66

Borrowing Light from the Room Next Door 132

Better, Not Bigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

chapter 5

chapter 7

Borrowing Ideas from the

Lightbulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Creating Multiple Sources of Light . . . . . . 140

Unifying Design with Light and Wood . . . . 174

Ambient Lighting ............... 142

Cabinetry ....................... 176

Task Lighting ................... 144

Accent Lighting ................. 148

Cabinet Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

chapter 6

A Design that’s All about the Details . . . . . . 188

Medicine Cabinets .............. 190

chapter 8

Making Two Bathrooms from One . . . . . . . 156