The small bathroom (or service bathroom) has always been considered less important and less prestigious than the master bathroom, the “big brother”, but in recent years things have changed… Let’s find out how together!
Two environments and two sizes
Within the domestic space, in many homes, we have a fundamental distinction between two environments: small (or service) bathroom and master bathroom . Two environments that are similar in function but are not exactly the same. Why this distinction? And how to make them equal?
Very often the service bathroom is limited to being lived in a completely different way than the master bathroom. In ways that are closer to practicity and functionality than to the actual relaxation of a place designed for personal well-being. You will often see small bathrooms sacrificed in their functions: some without a bidet, others without a shower cubicle.
The truth is, many powder rooms come furnished with just a few essentials and nothing more. Given the nature of this domestic environment, the spaces are very often restricted and not very suitable for a self-respecting relaxing environment. The difference in all of this is made by the use and planning of the walkable (and non-walkable) surface. But let’s first see what the differences between the two environments are:
Master bathroom or half bathroom?
Master bathroom
It is one of the most intimate and most prestigious rooms in the house. It develops over a surface area which, based on the available sizes, can also be large in size. Located in the sleeping area or nearby, it is designed for the sole use of home owners, a place of complete relaxation in which to take care of yourself and your well-being. Compared to the “service” bathroom, what distinguishes it is the unique feeling of intimacy that it can give, even more so if furnished with plants, or with candles and scented oils.
Master bath
“Service” bathroom
The service bathroom is one of the most functional and practical elements of the house. Specifically designed to be easy to use by everyone, hosts and guests, very often it doesn’t have all the elements of a bathroom inside. But why bore guests with the usual monotonous service bathroom? If you are in the process of renovating and want to understand how to furnish your smaller bathroom with all the necessary precautions, making it more welcoming, you are in the right place!
We propose, below, some indications to make your “service” bathroom a real master bathroom!
Service bathroom
How to furnish the service bathroom
Why not make the service bathroom a comfortable environment where you can enjoy a relaxing shower?
A bathroom like this, generally used by guests, must be organized in order to be practical and functional for everyone. During the week it can become the second bathroom in the house, helping to reduce traffic!
Let’s start with the dimensions: very often a service bathroom has small dimensions, not always, it’s true, but most of the time those who organize the arrangement of the furnishings in a small bathroom find themselves tough challenges to complete. The spaces, not exactly large, force us to make very precise choices, let’s see some of them:
- Prefer a color palette that can light up the room. Neutral and light colors will be able to illuminate the bathroom environment properly, making those who use it perceive much larger dimensions than the actual ones, it’s all a matter of plays of light and perspectives.
- Avoid the “total white” look. Although the counter is everyone’s favorite color to “give breath” to the walls of the house, the effect of completely white walls not only risks making the room seem smaller, not giving it the adequate depth, but also appears trivial and obvious. Our advice is to decorate at least one wall with a different colour, a fresh and lively wallpaper, or some pattern you like with tiles.
- Use suspended sanitary fixtures. Smaller size, greater scenicity and quick and effective cleaning, are there any counter uses to a suspended sanitary ware? No!
- Choose the right lighting. The goal of correct lighting is to enhance every element present in the bathroom and allow those who use it to be able to move easily. Opt for spotlights, perhaps dimmable, in order to have the right atmosphere with soft lights for moments of relaxation and a nice full light for when it’s needed.
Why not choose a wallpaper?
- Develop vertically. Whether you want to place a washing machine and dryer, roomy furniture or simply take advantage of the available spaces, use the verticality of the room. Just like when an architect develops an urban area, you too, in the small part of your home, can prefer vertical development: the space you can gain will be a lot!
- Place a shower at the end of the room. A shower in the guest bathroom is always welcome, especially if it is perfectly nestled in a niche. The advantages are many: speed, practicality and functionality for the whole family and a fully equipped bathroom for visiting guests.
- Choose a shower with the correct opening. To have the smallest possible footprint, choose space-saving openings: swing, saloon , bellows.
- If possible, create a niche inside the shower. A place to store your body care items, so as not to be cluttered. Alternatively, choose a shelf that can be positioned at an angle, such as Oblique.
Let’s find out below two solutions for the small bathroom!
Bathroom with pocket door in less than 4 m²
Our first solution involves a so-called “narrow and long” bathroom with a window and the particularity of having an entrance with a sliding door, a must for gaining useful space. Sanitary ware and washbasin positioned on the same wall, creating an essential space for moving easily on the opposite side. Shower cubicle created in a niche of only 1.30 m. Our choice fell on Evox SC1, a shower enclosure with a sliding door with slow closing.
Bathroom with floor-to-ceiling shower cubicle in less than 4 m²
Our second solution involves inserting the bathroom fixtures on the opposite side of the sink and the shower cubicle near the window. The available space allows for the use of a swing door for entry into the bathroom. While, the niche that can be obtained allows the use of a shower cubicle with double sliding door, large and comfortable, a plus for your guest bathroom. We chose Puro SC2, a minimal shower cubicle with generous dimensions, ideal for a niche of this size .
You’ll see how, with a studied and organized project, with the right advice, you can have a super comfortable and practical “service” bathroom, which will almost make you forget you have a master bathroom!
