Bathroom/Laundry Layout

[pandorica]

We are moving forward with adding a bathroom and a laundry room to an existing closet space on our second floor. It's an unfinished space, and kind of awkward due to the sloping ceiling. It starts at about 7ft (the wall with the doors) and then after 1-2' it starts sloping down, and then the wall with the toilet would be about 5-5.5' tall. The doors open up into the hallway. The doorway into the laundry room already exists, the second door and the wall separating the two rooms would need to be added.

I'm looking for any comments on the floor plan I've come up with. I've played around with this a LOT and I think this is the best set up, but want to know if there's anything I'm not thinking of.

I'm also wondering if anyone has a toilet on a short wall like that - how high does the ceiling need to be for it to be a usable toilet? Is 5 feet enough? 5.5ft? The space slopes down to about 3 feet currently, so we'd be adding that back wall too and I'm not sure how far back to go.

I forget how to post images so hopefully this works...

postimg.cc/Cd4YhMGq



Here are 2 options if it's one big room

[circa1978]

The first thing I'd do is check with your planning department. They might have minimums for the ceiling.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 11:38:24 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

The first thing I'd do is check with your planning department. They might have minimums for the ceiling.

Good point. I need to bug H some more to call the town building dept to ask how this all works, since this is our first time doing any kind of reno to our house and we're clueless!

[simpsongal]

I can't open the image for some reason, so I can't tell the dimensions. Is this one of those situations where it might make sense *not* to have a wall separating the spaces? That would be my main concern, that you're potentially creating an area that's very choppy and door intensive for the sake of segregating spaces.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 12:52:31 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I can't open the image for some reason, so I can't tell the dimensions. Is this one of those situations where it might make sense *not* to have a wall separating the spaces? That would be my main concern, that you're potentially creating an area that's very choppy and door intensive for the sake of segregating spaces.

The whole space together is about 16.5ftx5ft. I've never really liked combo bathroom/laundry rooms for reasons I can't articulate (maybe because I could easily lock away any laundry mess if they're separate and each room has a distinct purpose). But now I'm going to play around with a floor plan as one large room.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 12:52:31 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I can't open the image for some reason, so I can't tell the dimensions. Is this one of those situations where it might make sense *not* to have a wall separating the spaces? That would be my main concern, that you're potentially creating an area that's very choppy and door intensive for the sake of segregating spaces.

I'm not great at spatial stuff - I added 2 new options without the wall in the OP. I'm not sure how I feel about any of them. I've spent too long looking at this floor plan!

[Violet]

Call the planning department or go on their website and see what code your town follows. Most are based on the 2018 IRC which states:

- No width should be less than 7 feet or 70sq ft in any habitable rooms except kitchens
- Ceiling height of less than 5 ft isn't counted in sq ft for above
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and toilet rooms need 6 feet 8 inches ceiling height and there are some special rules about slopes

I'd read the IRC and see if you can meet most of this or tweak it...
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2018_Pt03_Ch03_SecR305

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 13:42:01 GMT -5 Violet said:

Call the planning department or go on their website and see what code your town follows. Most are based on the 2018 IRC which states:

- No width should be less than 7 feet or 70sq ft in any habitable rooms except kitchens
- Ceiling height of less than 5 ft isn't counted in sq ft for above
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and toilet rooms need 6 feet 8 inches ceiling height and there are some special rules about slopes

I'd read the IRC and see if you can meet most of this or tweak it...
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2018_Pt03_Ch03_SecR305

Hmm well this would make things interesting. We wouldn't be able to do the 7ft thing but would be over 70sqft if we do the all one room option instead of splitting it into 2. Our town's website is pretty awful and didn't have info I could easily find, will definitely have to call. Thanks!

ETA I should add that we've had 2 contractors come out to give estimates already and neither has mentioned any of this being an issue. I wonder if there are no rules here or if they just didn't know.

[aprilsails]

I would keep the rooms split. I also do not like combo laundry and washrooms. I had one as a kid and it always looked messy even though my Mom had a cool shower curtain to hide them.

How tall is your DH? I have lived in some old student housing where we had a toilet under the staircase and it was not good for my DH at the time. He’s 5’11” and hated that bathroom. I have no idea how low it dropped though. He couldn’t stand up in most of my bedroom so I’m going to guess shorter than 5’5”.

[aprilsails]

Feb 16, 2021 13:42:01 GMT -5 Violet said:

Call the planning department or go on their website and see what code your town follows. Most are based on the 2018 IRC which states:

- No width should be less than 7 feet or 70sq ft in any habitable rooms except kitchens
- Ceiling height of less than 5 ft isn't counted in sq ft for above
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and toilet rooms need 6 feet 8 inches ceiling height and there are some special rules about slopes

I'd read the IRC and see if you can meet most of this or tweak it...
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2018_Pt03_Ch03_SecR305

A bathroom is not considered a habitable room by code. So the 7’ requirement does not apply. I just checked and the hallway bathroom in my new build home is 6’ wide. The 70sqft rule would also not apply.

[aprilsails]

Feb 16, 2021 14:05:40 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Feb 16, 2021 13:42:01 GMT -5 Violet said:

Call the planning department or go on their website and see what code your town follows. Most are based on the 2018 IRC which states:

- No width should be less than 7 feet or 70sq ft in any habitable rooms except kitchens
- Ceiling height of less than 5 ft isn't counted in sq ft for above
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and toilet rooms need 6 feet 8 inches ceiling height and there are some special rules about slopes

I'd read the IRC and see if you can meet most of this or tweak it...
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2018_Pt03_Ch03_SecR305

A bathroom is not considered a habitable room by code. So the 7’ requirement does not apply. I just checked and the hallway bathroom in my new build home is 6’ wide. The 70sqft rule would also not apply.

To add: the laundry room would also be classed as a utility room and not a habitable room.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 14:01:29 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

I would keep the rooms split. I also do not like combo laundry and washrooms. I had one as a kid and it always looked messy even though my Mom had a cool shower curtain to hide them.

How tall is your DH? I have lived in some old student housing where we had a toilet under the staircase and it was not good for my DH at the time. He’s 5’11” and hated that bathroom. I have no idea how low it dropped though. He couldn’t stand up in most of my bedroom so I’m going to guess shorter than 5’5”.

I'm actually taller than DH, and I'm only 5'6"! So I'm not really concerned for us but thinking a little about resale (though we have no plans to move for a long time).
I've got inspiration pics like this but again, don't know the practicality of it
www.houzz.com/photos/bathroom-contemporary-bathroom-ottawa-phvw-vp~78345467

www.houzz.com/photos/medford-attic-and-second-floor-traditional-bathroom-boston-phvw-vp~143078442

[aprilsails]

I think it all really depends on the slope of your ceiling and if they have to add insulation, etc.

I think your first layout works. I don’t know if you want or need a tub. If you already have one in the house you can easily skip it.

For lighting, I would suggest doing low profile surface mounted light fixtures or wall mounted ones. You could do the low profile LED potlights but don’t put those on the slanted portion of the ceiling. That always looks terrible.

[aprilsails]

One final thing is to maybe consider doing a custom shower enclosure and extending it to the outside wall. I am worried that low corner behind the shower and toilet will be a PITA to clean and isn’t really usable space. Put a bench seat at that end of the shower and make it nice and big. You won’t be able to do a rain shower likely because that needs an extra 6” of bulkhead to install. This would obviously be more expensive from a tile and custom cut glass shower door perspective.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 14:21:30 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

One final thing is to maybe consider doing a custom shower enclosure and extending it to the outside wall. I am worried that low corner behind the shower and toilet will be a PITA to clean and isn’t really usable space. Put a bench seat at that end of the shower and make it nice and big. You won’t be able to do a rain shower likely because that needs an extra 6” of bulkhead to install. This would obviously be more expensive from a tile and custom cut glass shower door perspective.

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the sloping shower thing. We're trying not to spend too much $$ and I couldn't justify that kind of cost. I meant to say in the OP that I'd like to put in shelving in that open area built against the wall from the shower to the short wall. We have an old house with never enough storage so any way to add it in this space would be super useful.

[Violet]

aprilsails, Oh, good to know!

[circa1978]

pandorica, I'm also confused about how 5 feet would be OK for a toilet unless the slope is pretty extreame. Men stand to urinate. It's not like it's mandatory but it's customary. My H is 6'4 and I'm trying to imagine him getting in this area to use the bathroom.

[pandorica]

Feb 16, 2021 14:33:12 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

pandorica, I'm also confused about how 5 feet would be OK for a toilet unless the slope is pretty extreame. Men stand to urinate. It's not like it's mandatory but it's customary. My H is 6'4 and I'm trying to imagine him getting in this area to use the bathroom.

Apparently my Houzz links didn't work for some reason so here are SS of some inspiration pics of bathrooms with a slope. Does this make sense? Also, the back of the toilet would be on the 5.5 ft wall but then the toilet comes out about 1-2ft from the wall so it would be a little taller than that. I'm really bad at explaining

[juliachild]

Feb 16, 2021 13:48:21 GMT -5 pandorica said:

Feb 16, 2021 13:42:01 GMT -5 Violet said:

Call the planning department or go on their website and see what code your town follows. Most are based on the 2018 IRC which states:

- No width should be less than 7 feet or 70sq ft in any habitable rooms except kitchens
- Ceiling height of less than 5 ft isn't counted in sq ft for above
- Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and toilet rooms need 6 feet 8 inches ceiling height and there are some special rules about slopes

I'd read the IRC and see if you can meet most of this or tweak it...
codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2018/chapter-3-building-planning#IRC2018_Pt03_Ch03_SecR305

Hmm well this would make things interesting. We wouldn't be able to do the 7ft thing but would be over 70sqft if we do the all one room option instead of splitting it into 2. Our town's website is pretty awful and didn't have info I could easily find, will definitely have to call. Thanks!

ETA I should add that we've had 2 contractors come out to give estimates already and neither has mentioned any of this being an issue. I wonder if there are no rules here or if they just didn't know.

Regarding contractors not mentioning code, they do that all the time. I work for a municipality and frequently have people telling me that their contractor never mentioned any of the requirements. It will save you time and money to check with your town's building requirements before getting a quote for the work.

[InBetweenDays]

I would prefer to have my laundry in a separate room or closet. But... are you planning on a standard or compact sized set? While the W/D may be the dimensions you have on your drawing, they won't be able to sit snug against the wall - especially the dryer - because they'll need room for the water line, dryer vent, outlets, etc. We have a laundry closet which limits the size washer/dryer we can get. We got the smallest dimensions we could find in a standard size, and from the wall to the front of the W/D set is 31". If you factor in a 32" door swinging in (which I'm guessing is the size you are using?) you're at 63" when the room is only 60" deep. Could you do a pocket door there?

I also wonder about how much you'll use the folding counter either in a bathroom or in that small laundry room? Could that space be used better? We have a shelf in our laundry closet above the W/D for all of our laundry supplies. Plus a hanging rod for hanging items. But I always hear about people who want a counter in the laundry room for folding and I have to wonder if I'm the only one that uses folding laundry as an excuse to park my butt on the couch and watch tv?

[pandorica]

Feb 17, 2021 13:29:43 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

I would prefer to have my laundry in a separate room or closet. But... are you planning on a standard or compact sized set? While the W/D may be the dimensions you have on your drawing, they won't be able to sit snug against the wall - especially the dryer - because they'll need room for the water line, dryer vent, outlets, etc. We have a laundry closet which limits the size washer/dryer we can get. We got the smallest dimensions we could find in a standard size, and from the wall to the front of the W/D set is 31". If you factor in a 32" door swinging in (which I'm guessing is the size you are using?) you're at 63" when the room is only 60" deep. Could you do a pocket door there?

I also wonder about how much you'll use the folding counter either in a bathroom or in that small laundry room? Could that space be used better? We have a shelf in our laundry closet above the W/D for all of our laundry supplies. Plus a hanging rod for hanging items. But I always hear about people who want a counter in the laundry room for folding and I have to wonder if I'm the only one that uses folding laundry as an excuse to park my butt on the couch and watch tv?

Good idea about the pocket door! I had nixed that idea for the bathroom, but could work for the laundry room.

As it is now, I do almost all folding on the couch like you. However, that's because our w/d are on the first floor. This set up will be on the second floor, and I don't think I'm going to want to take the clean laundry downstairs just to spend 5 minutes folding it and then bring it back up again. The times I fold the laundry at the machines I wish I had more space to lay out the folded laundry.

[InBetweenDays]

Feb 17, 2021 13:48:19 GMT -5 pandorica said:

Feb 17, 2021 13:29:43 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

I would prefer to have my laundry in a separate room or closet. But... are you planning on a standard or compact sized set? While the W/D may be the dimensions you have on your drawing, they won't be able to sit snug against the wall - especially the dryer - because they'll need room for the water line, dryer vent, outlets, etc. We have a laundry closet which limits the size washer/dryer we can get. We got the smallest dimensions we could find in a standard size, and from the wall to the front of the W/D set is 31". If you factor in a 32" door swinging in (which I'm guessing is the size you are using?) you're at 63" when the room is only 60" deep. Could you do a pocket door there?

I also wonder about how much you'll use the folding counter either in a bathroom or in that small laundry room? Could that space be used better? We have a shelf in our laundry closet above the W/D for all of our laundry supplies. Plus a hanging rod for hanging items. But I always hear about people who want a counter in the laundry room for folding and I have to wonder if I'm the only one that uses folding laundry as an excuse to park my butt on the couch and watch tv?

Good idea about the pocket door! I had nixed that idea for the bathroom, but could work for the laundry room.

As it is now, I do almost all folding on the couch like you. However, that's because our w/d are on the first floor. This set up will be on the second floor, and I don't think I'm going to want to take the clean laundry downstairs just to spend 5 minutes folding it and then bring it back up again. The times I fold the laundry at the machines I wish I had more space to lay out the folded laundry.

Yeah, our laundry is on the second floor. I throw the clean laundry back in the hamper to bring it downstairs to fold. And then bring it back up when done. But I can understand why you would prefer to fold it upstairs.