A Bathroom in a Basement Doesn"t Have to Be a Cave
Putting a new bathroom in your home is an excellent investment.
You'll be able to improve your home's value, plus it's a lot more convenient.
The basement is one of the best places to install a new bathroom.
However, many people have only experienced poorly done basement bathrooms.
Don't think that a bathroom below ground level has to be cold, dark, and claustrophobic! A bathroom in a basement can be a very pleasant place to be.
You just have to pay attention to all the factors.
If you're considering installing a bathroom in a basement, you're going to need to pay attention to size, ventilation, and drainage if you want to have one that works.
To make sure that the bathroom is not just functional, but is also attractive, you'll also have to carefully think about layout, colors, lighting, and temperature.
These things will help you create a bathroom that's not the cold, moist, dim place you might associate with basement facilities.
Size matters.
While your bathroom in a basement doesn't have to be bigger than about three feet by six feet if you're putting in just a toilet and sink, that kind of space is pretty cramped for most people to use.
Think about not only the space that's going to be taken up by the fixtures, but the space you'll want to move comfortably.
Make ceilings as high as you can without creating problems or leaving them unfinished, as that also reduces the tendency for these rooms to feel closed in.
Drain pipes and vent stacks are also important for a bathroom in basement.
In some basements, this can be a problem, requiring digging to access the main drain for the house.
Pay attention to the distance from the drain pipe and the slope of your drain, and remember to tie new drains to current vent stacks to keep odors down.
If you've been thinking about building your bathroom in a basement project, but aren't sure you can manage all the wiring and plumbing on your own, don't worry.
You can do the parts of the work you're capable of, and then call a pro to help you with the parts you're not so sure about.
Additional ventilation is important for a basement bathroom, especially one with a shower.
These damp spaces can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and unpleasant smells.
To keep this from happening, you'll need to add ventilation to the outside.
Remember to buy a strong but silent fan.
Consider heating in your basement bathroom as well.
That could make the difference between a room you'd like to bathe in and one that's not comfortable.
Even if you have only a half bath, people will be reluctant to use a bathroom in the basement if the porcelain is chilly.
Fortunately, it's relatively easy to extend most household heating systems to be useful in your bathroom.
Add warm, bright, but not glaring lighting and you'll have a room that's pleasant as well as useful, even if it is in the basement.
A bathroom in a basement can be a truly pleasant place to be.
You'll be able to improve your home's value, plus it's a lot more convenient.
The basement is one of the best places to install a new bathroom.
However, many people have only experienced poorly done basement bathrooms.
Don't think that a bathroom below ground level has to be cold, dark, and claustrophobic! A bathroom in a basement can be a very pleasant place to be.
You just have to pay attention to all the factors.
If you're considering installing a bathroom in a basement, you're going to need to pay attention to size, ventilation, and drainage if you want to have one that works.
To make sure that the bathroom is not just functional, but is also attractive, you'll also have to carefully think about layout, colors, lighting, and temperature.
These things will help you create a bathroom that's not the cold, moist, dim place you might associate with basement facilities.
Size matters.
While your bathroom in a basement doesn't have to be bigger than about three feet by six feet if you're putting in just a toilet and sink, that kind of space is pretty cramped for most people to use.
Think about not only the space that's going to be taken up by the fixtures, but the space you'll want to move comfortably.
Make ceilings as high as you can without creating problems or leaving them unfinished, as that also reduces the tendency for these rooms to feel closed in.
Drain pipes and vent stacks are also important for a bathroom in basement.
In some basements, this can be a problem, requiring digging to access the main drain for the house.
Pay attention to the distance from the drain pipe and the slope of your drain, and remember to tie new drains to current vent stacks to keep odors down.
If you've been thinking about building your bathroom in a basement project, but aren't sure you can manage all the wiring and plumbing on your own, don't worry.
You can do the parts of the work you're capable of, and then call a pro to help you with the parts you're not so sure about.
Additional ventilation is important for a basement bathroom, especially one with a shower.
These damp spaces can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and unpleasant smells.
To keep this from happening, you'll need to add ventilation to the outside.
Remember to buy a strong but silent fan.
Consider heating in your basement bathroom as well.
That could make the difference between a room you'd like to bathe in and one that's not comfortable.
Even if you have only a half bath, people will be reluctant to use a bathroom in the basement if the porcelain is chilly.
Fortunately, it's relatively easy to extend most household heating systems to be useful in your bathroom.
Add warm, bright, but not glaring lighting and you'll have a room that's pleasant as well as useful, even if it is in the basement.
A bathroom in a basement can be a truly pleasant place to be.