How To Add The Perfect Half Bath To Your Home
Location
A half bath is a bathroom that lacks one of the four main fixtures–tub, shower, sink and toilet–found in full bathrooms. They are often located near living areas and are generally intended for guest use. Ideally, your half bath will be placed close to existing water and sewer lines so you don’t have to jackhammer up your foundation or pay for new plumbing installation. For example, if your home is built on a pier or over a basement, your plumber may be able to run new water and sewer lines under the house’s floor without needing to disturb the original construction. Alternatively, a half bath can be located under a set of stairs, in a garage with the entrance from the house or even in a dormer attic space. This location offers accessibility for guests and privacy for homeowners.
Space
If you’re planning to add a half bath to your home, it’s important to consider the space needed for it. These bathrooms don’t require much floor space, but you should still make sure that there’s enough room to install the toilet and sink/vanity. Another consideration is whether or not you want to build a half bath near an entrance, especially if there’s a living area nearby. If possible, locate the entry to your half bath so it’s not directly in view of a living area or shield it with a room divider so that guests can enter and exit discreetly.
Lighting
The lighting for your half bath should be functional but also aesthetically pleasing. It should be a blend of ambiance and accent lighting — think soft white lights with a color temperature in the 2,000-3,000K range that create a relaxing glow. The vanity area is the most important place for task lighting, as this is where people use makeup and shaving tools on a daily basis. This area is often illuminated with strip or globe light fixtures, but wall sconces can also be used for this purpose. Other areas of the bathroom that need general illumination include tubs and showers. Typically, recessed fixtures with white opal diffusers are used for these areas to provide light without visually distracting from the bath environment.
Storage
Half baths are the perfect solution when you need extra bathroom storage. With minimal square footage, they allow you to create a functional yet stylish bathroom that you can enjoy for years to come. As with all bathrooms, the storage needs of a half bath require careful planning to ensure it’s efficient and functional. You need to make sure the bathroom has ample space for storing towels, toiletries, and other essentials. The best way to keep your half bath organized is to also add a storage cabinet or shelf. These cabinets are available in many designs and are great for showcasing vases, photos and other decorative items while providing additional bathroom storage.