The WC (Water Closet)
The term 'Water Closet' is sometimes used to describe the toilet's water tank, or the toilet itself. In this article, the term refers only to the room housing the toilet.

The first consideration in planning or remodeling a bathroom is the size of the room itself.

The larger the room, the more design options are available to you.

But this doesn't mean that a small room has to feel crowded and cramped.

By definition, a Water Closet (or WC), is a small (often narrow) room or booth, with a minimum size of approximately 16 sq.ft (4'x4') / 4.8768m (1.2192m x 1.2192m), containing a toilet and often a sink.

The WC provides the minimum amount of room for one person.

If the Water Closet contains both toilet and washbowl and is narrow, the room should be at least 36" (91.44 cm) wide x 90" (2.286m) long. If the sink is next to the toilet, the room should be at least 6 sq.ft (4'x4') / 4.8768m (1.2192m x 1.2192m) .

The minimum width of a bathroom door is 34", (86.36cm )which will permit 32" (81.28cm) of clearance. For wheelchair access, this door should be a minimum of 42" (106.68cm) wide. In the case of the 30" (76.2 cm) wide Water Closet, and 24" (60.96) door is permissible.

If the door opens into the room, it should open away from the toilet (see left).

If the room contains only a toilet, the interior room dimensions should be at least 36" (91.44cm) wide x 66" (1.676 4m) long.
(see fig 1)

Most building codes require the minimum interior room dimensions to be at least 30" (76.2cm) W x 60" (1.524m) L
(see fig 2)

Diminutive bathrooms are not accessible to those in wheel chairs ... and are difficult for those using walkers or crutches, those with leg or arm casts, or those who require assistance in the bathroom (including small children).

Wall Height:
Wall height needs to be considered only if it differs substantially from the norm, as is the case with sloped ceilings.

 
A Water Closet tucked under the eaves, or under the stairs can make good use of wasted floor area, provided there is enough room in the front of the fixtures for a person to stand up straight.

A height of at least 80" (2.032 m) is required for standing, with at least 24" (60.96cm) of floor space in front of the toilet or sink to maneuver around.

If there is not enough ceiling height when the toilet is placed on the short wall, consider boxing in the area behind the toilet. This will move the toilet forward to allow for the needed head room, and provide additional shelf and/or storage space.

The soil stack need not be placed behind the toilet itself, it may be in an adjacent wall. But there must be enough room beneath the floor to accommodate the horizontal pipe slope.

Doorways:
Strictly speaking, the door to a Water Closet should open outward (like a closet door), but in many cases the door actually opens into the room.

A door that swings outward into a hallway or adjoining room, provides the necessary space to turn around without first closing the door.

Pocket doors (doors that slide into the wall) allow full access without taking up clearance room for the swing. However, they can be difficult to use, especially for children and the elderly.

If the door to the Water Closet opens into the room, use a wall-hung sink or pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet.

When left open, vanity drawers and/or doors will interfere with the bathroom door resulting in damage to the bathroom door and/or vanity. In addition, such an arrangement can create a safety hazard.

Fit to Scale:
Smaller fixtures increase both physical and visual space, without sacrificing function.

Vanity Cabinet:
If the door opens outward, and space permits the use of a vanity, the use of a shallow vanity cabinet (16in-18in, 40.64cm-45.72cm deep) in place of a standard vanity can add 3-5 inches (7.62cm - 12.7 cm) of floor space. Read more about vanities »

Toilet:
A standard toilet with a round bowl is approximately 2 inches (5.08cm) shorter and easier to clean around than an elongated bowl. If space is a major concern, several manufacturers make toilets that are a little smaller in scale than the "normal" sized toilet. read more about toilets »

A wall-hung toilet will not only free additional floor place, but make cleaning the bathroom a breeze.

However, sometimes the space is so cramped that a wall-hung toilet by itself is not the answer.

In the example at the left, a vanity provides under-the-counter storage to the front of the toilet.

While this arrangement provides ample storage space, it severely limits the amount of room needed to maneuver around the toilet

A round shaped bowl will add an additional 2" (5.08cm) in front of the toilet, but that doesn't solve the problem of cleaning around the toilet next to the side wall.

By moving the toilet to the right a few inches, and installing a wall-hung bowl with an in-the-wall tank and carrier unit, the same space actually becomes bigger.

These units provide a sleek, clean look without resorting to smaller fixtures or sacrificing design options.

Since the toilet tank (cistern) is built into the wall, and depending on the bowl shape, an additional 6" (15.24 cm) to 9" (22.86cm) of floor space can be gained.

The flush actuator is generally mounted above the bowl but some manufacturers, such as Geberit, offer a remote unit that can be placed on the wall within 6' of the tank.
Click here to learn more about the Geberit toilet systems

Flush technology has come a long way since the pull chain. However, the latest and greatest of these might not be right for you.

see also: Know Before You Buy: All About Toilets

Sink:
Wall-hung sinks free up floor space, while pedestal sinks give the appearance of more floor space.

The obvious disadvantage to most wall-hung sinks is the visible piping beneath the sink. There are models available, such as the Kohler Portrait shown at the right, that provide a shroud to cover the piping.

Storage:

The further the eye can travel through a space, the larger it will look. In the Water Closet, try to avoid vanity cabinets, wall shelves, and large storage units that jut into the room.

There should be a place to store hand towels, toilet paper, soap, paper cups, etc. A recessed medicine cabinet with a mirrored door is a good choice for most items.

Open recessed shelving and cabinets can provide storage without infringing on the space of the room. If possible, borrow space from an adjoined room or closet for recessed shelves or a narrow cupboard. Perhaps a better solution is a nearby linen closet in the hallway or adjoining room.

Avoid placing heavy or frequently used objects over the toilet bowl.
Procelain is breakable. A falling jar or object may chip or crack the toilet.

Color/Texture/Pattern:
No matter how a tiny bath is decorated, it is still a small space. Using color, textures and pattern can make the room appear more open and inviting.

Color:
Dark, bold colors may work well in a decent sized powder room, but in a Water Closet they can make the room feel downright claustrophobic.

To give the illusion of more space, choose color schemes that are pale and cool. Pastel tones in blues and greens, neutrals, and whites add to the feeling of calm and space.

A few small splashes of bright, light colors, mixed with liberal amounts of white will keep the room from feeling dreary. But remember, too many colors in a confined space can be confusing to the eye. On the other hand, using all white in a windowless room will create a dreary look, rather than airy. Try to maintain a theme and avoid too stark a contrast.

Floors:
As with any room where water is present, floors should be slip resistant and made of materials appropriate to wet areas.

A Water Closet is the one room that should definitely have a light colored floor.

A dark, or "warm" colored floor will absorb the light and visually raise the floor. This has the effect of making the room feel small and cramped.

On the other hand, a light colored floor will help evenly diffuse light, adding a lighter and brighter touch to the room.

Ceilings:
Light colors are usually most pleasing for a ceiling, because ceilings are seen in shadow. Painting the ceiling one or two shades lighter than the wall color will unify the space and help reduce the "boxed in" feeling. You can buy separate paint for the ceiling, or mix your own by diluting the wall paint with white paint in a ratio of 25% color to 75% white.

If the ceiling height is over 8' (2.4384m) , painting the ceiling a darker shade than the walls will visually lower it, and give the room more of a cozy feeling. However, if the color is very dark, the ceiling will appear to push up and disappear when the lights are turned on at night. Lowering the ceiling will give the room a more balanced look.

Walls:
Avoid covering the wall with vertical lines (stripes or patterns). They add height to a room, but reduce visual space. Horizontal lines make a room seem larger.

A chair rail, border of tile or wall paper, or wainscoting capped by a strong horizontal band with plaster or wallpaper above combined with a baseboard and sometimes a crown molding at the ceiling adds horizontal lines that visually enlarge the perimeter of the room.

Wallpaper can open up a room and make it appear bigger. Patterns and designs with lots of white space, small florals, sky, cloud and shell patterns will help expand the walls.

Wall murals that create a distant horizon, designed to help expand the space visually, can work well in a powder room. But generally fail to do so in a Water Closet, because the eye is too close to the wall to appreciate the effect.

Mirrors/Art Work:

Mirrors expand space in every direction, making the room appear larger. If the only logical place to put a mirror is opposite the toilet, place it high enough that is does not reflect the toilet itself.

If there is no window in the room, a painting or photograph reflected in the mirror can give the room depth.

If the Water Closet does have a window, position the mirror so the sunlight doesn't hit the surface directly or create glare.

Ideally mirrors should be illuminated by a series of small lamps around the entire perimeter; or at very least, a row of lamps at both sides.

Accessories:
The key word here is don't.

Adding lots of accessories and stuff will only make the room look cluttered. The room doesn't have to be spartan, but keeping it simple will give the appearance of more space and calm.

Do add grab bars/safety rails to the side of the toilet. Newer models have lost the stark, stainless steel, institutional look, and blend well almost any decor.

Lighting/Electrical:
Water Closets tend to inhabit the interior regions of a house, lacking windows or other sources of natural light.

Where it is impossible to add a skylight, window, or glass block wall, adequate artificial lighting is critical.

If the room is long and narrow, avoid placing a single light fixture in the middle of the room. Instead, consider recessed spot lighting which is both visually appealing and has a low profile that's perfect for a small space. Adding wall sconces near the mirror will help eliminate harsh shadows.

There will be times when an electrical outlet will be needed. Install an electrical outlet near the sink. If the Water Closet contains only a toilet, install at least one outlet near the toilet.

Ventilation:
Even though moisture and condensation are generally not a concern in a Water Closet, adequate ventilation is important. Sounds seem louder in a tiny room, so choose an exhaust fan with the lowest sone rating.

Noise:
To reduce the noise level in adjacent rooms, consider placing sound insulation in the walls.

Design Articles   - The WC (toilet room)   - The WC (urinal room)   - The Guest Powder Room   - The Family Powder Room More Design Tips: Universal Bathroom Design Gaining Bathroom Space Planning Considerations: What Every New Bath Should Have ... Fixture Checklist for Your Project

Know Before You Buy: Bath Accessories Console Tables Countertops Faucets Grab Bars / Safety Rails Sinks & Lavatories Toilets Urinals Vanities Ventilation

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