Are you considering adding a new bathroom to your house? If your family is growing or you’re tired of queues in the hallway every time you entertain; a new bathroom could be the ideal solution.
Increasing the number of bathrooms on your property can also be a smart investment to increase the value of your home when you come to sell. If you’re finding that you often wish you had another bathroom then chances are that’s what your buyers will be looking for too.
Adding a bathroom to your home doesn’t need to be a stressful process. Whether you choose to use existing space or you plan to extend, here are some key pointers to consider.
Where should you put your new bathroom?
The location of your new bathroom is the first and potentially most important thing to consider. This will involve a balance of convenience and space. The most cost effective way to add a bathroom to your home is to use existing space and locate it close to your existing bathroom. However for convenience and functionality you might decide to put it in a completely different place.
Who is going to use your new bathroom?
With a bathroom, location is pretty important. If you’re adding an ensuite then you will either need to connect with the master bedroom or be prepared to make another bedroom become the master.
If you’re adding a family or guest bathroom to your home then you will need to ensure it’s easy for family or guests to access it. Children in particular have a tendency to take the most convenient route so distance will be a key factor. That’s one of the reasons why planning a bathroom addition is a good opportunity to review your floor layout and work out how to optimise the space in your home.
Where could you add a bathroom?
Once you’ve decided to add a bathroom you can start looking around for likely locations. Good places to consider for new bathrooms are under a stairwell, at the end of a hallway, or in a large closet space or where two cupboards back onto each other.
If you have an older home you may have an oversized bathroom that could be split to create two bathrooms. This can be an especially cost-effective solution as all your pipework will already be in place for your existing bathroom.
What to consider when designing your new bathroom.
Once you have some good ideas ready, it’s worth calling in your plumber and electrician so they can help you understand the logistical side of creating your bathroom. You may also want to call in a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) if you need help with plans or consent.
Bathrooms need to be designed to bring water in as well as transporting sewage and grey water out. As well as understanding any consent requirements, your plumber will be able to help you understand what hot water solution, pipework and drainage is already in place and whether you need to make any major changes to support a new bathroom.
Depending on your current hot water heater, you may find you need to upgrade the size of your unit or add a new one to ensure you enjoy quick access to enough hot water for your whole household. If you’re on a septic system it’s important to make sure your system will still be effective with the addition of another bathroom.
Ventilation is an important part of every bathroom design – to help you remove steam and unwanted odours from your bathroom. Your electrician will be able to help you understand what ventilation they can support in the set up of your new bathroom. It’s worth starting the conversation about layout and lighting design now so you can make sure you can tick your wishlist off when it comes to installation.
Whatever the size of the bathroom you add, design is key.
Investing in smart bathroom design not only means that you can enjoy a beautiful addition to your home. It can also help to reduce the cost of your renovation and ensure that you enjoy the functionality that you’re hoping for.
Whether you’re using an interior designer or your own renovation expertise, remember to check in with your plumber and electrician repeatedly so you can benefit from their advice. Incorporating the expertise of your tradespeople upfront will help to keep the cost of your project under control.
If you’re ready to add a bathroom to your home then the team at East Coast Plumbing and Gas are ready to help. We help customers across Hawke’s Bay get the best value from their renovations.
East Coast Plumbing and Gas are experts in hot water systems, drainage and plumbing. We can help you to locate and design your new bathroom and install your fixtures and fittings to the highest standards. The result is a bathroom that will give you pleasure today and tomorrow, while adding value to your property when you’re ready to sell in the future.