Should the toilet have its own room?

Just read a story on Domain - should the toilet have its own room or not?

Designers seem split. Some argue the bathroom should be a place for bathing and relaxation and you don't want the undesirable aspects of a toilet in there. Plus of course the access and privacy factors. But others argue that's old fashioned because most houses have plenty of bathrooms so there's no reason to seperate them anymore.

I would prefer to have more space in the bathroom than have them separate and cramped. What do you think?

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Mick

Keep them seperate if you possibly can for everyone's benefit. And put a basin in so people can wash their hands.

aly

I'm with @Mick. Would much prefer a seperate toilet and an added bonus is having a sink in there too. I wouldn't count this as a critical house factor though, more a 'nice to have' thing. It's a lot better hygenically.

Kermit

Keep them seperate if you can.

Regarding having a basin, what's everyone's thoughts on these? A space saver and water saver, but too strange?

Yonnee

@Kermit I've seen that before... Neat idea.

And as for separate rooms, it's really a personal choice, but I don't quite see how it's "old fashioned" to want privacy. We have two toilets, one in the ensuite and the other a separate room next to the bathroom at the other end of the house. If the ensuite is occupied, and teenaged Son was showering in the bathroom, all hell would break out if teenaged Daughter needed to go to the toilet if it were in the same room as the bathroom.!!

I can only think of one house I know of that has the toilet in the main bathroom, but it's a two storey house, with a third toilet off the main family room downstairs. I like looking at house plans, and I can't recall seeing one without a separate toilet...??

Janina_G

Hi Kermit,

Love it, do you have a manufacturer???

Had some months in Japan and having the handbasin there was really fabulous...

Picture looks a little funny, but space saving??

Kermit

@Janina_G

It's a Caroma - http://www.bunnings.com.au/caroma-wels-5-star-profile-5-deluxe-toilet-suite_p4820815

Andy_Mann

I'm with yonnee, old fashioned to want privacy???? 8 (
The stately, elegant house across the road from where I was brought up, had a brick outdoor loo, & china bed pans were kept under each bed.
Oh how things've changed. ; )
In this day & age where houses have a plethora of rooms, with some barely used at all, it confounds me why anyone would question the worth (cost cut) of rooms that you HAVE to use.

The combined basin/toilet is something that I hoped would hit the market. I wish I'd patented the idea, back then. : (

Janina_G

Oh to have had a brick out house instead of weatherboard, most likely it was made from scraps from the SECV, and China Chamber pots.... I wish I had one now...never had them then, it was always out back we went.

I dont mind privacy. but how long do people use the toilet for??? that has got me puzzled.... I have overseas students coming in for holidays in their summer, and if I had a seperate toilet it would be bedlam and infighting....

This way everyone know to be considerate and have a quick shower and same with toilet, no reading of magazine / newspaper allowed. but I have made concession, have installed the old one out back so when a queue....... But them I dont have a big house....and I dont feel inclined to spend extra $10000 to make a second toilet.... boys and visit the lemon tree and girl can visit the outhouse in yard .... boy Im tough LOL

Andy_Mann

Oh JaninaG-NoDoDo, oh how I love you.
I too am frustrated by the "I'm building a statement, because we work long hours, & we're worth it".
I'll never bad-mouth anyone that thinks that way, but how much easier it would it be for them if they weren't swept up by the social hard sell? It's come to the point where couples are both working ridiculous hours to indulge their social fantasies, & don't give a thought to question that they're set to locked into 40 years of debt.

Andy_Mann

I forgot to metion before, but my work meant that we were sent around the state (South Australia) to some pretty remote places, & we had the pleasure of tiny tinny sheds, with a plank & drop hole.
My boss was either a cruel man, or it was just coincidence, but we were always scheduled to work in the dead of summer, & Redback busy season. To make things worse, the dunnies didn't have lights, & we had to wear the supplied one-piece overalls, which would make an emergency exit nigh on impossible. : P
At the other end of the business spectrum, my Brother-in-Law was forced to make a decision on which of the 2 King sized beds he would use, & he travelled alone.
I was happy with my end of the stick, we (my off-sider & I) had to sometimes stay in some pretty dodgey pubs, but the food was always plentiful, & way better quality than what you'd find in the city. We always had plenty of laughs, fond memories, & never met a bad country person either.
Yep, if I was sent back to those times, I'd do it all over again, exactly as it was. Great times, with genuinely lovely characters.

cupofchloe

@Kermit a friend of mine has the sink toilet combo. It make a hell of a racket after you've washed your hands and keeps going for about 5 mins after you've left the toilet

cupofchloe

@Yonnee I have a two year old and a seperate toilet, but privacy is not something I am afforded! : )

Jason

Given all the toilet discussion on The Block, I thought I would revive this discussion topic. Add your thoughts via our community poll on the Workshop front page and by replying below.

Thanks for joining in the discussion.

Jason

ProjectPete

Toilet should always be separate. Enough said.

Joker

Separate is the ideal, but not always possible. I'd rather have a spacious bathroom with a toilet than have two separate cramped rooms.

Kutil

Absolutely!! It was and still is my pet hate in bathroom design. Number one reason is it is unhygienic!! Many tests were done and all of them showed traces of faecal particles all over the place even on toothbrushes! One of the best tests was Mythbusters, if you don't believe me look it up! Second one is, once the room is occupied that is it, no brushing teeth or having shower or even just washing your hands. I live in very old weatherboard house and our toilet is next to the laundry ( inside ) which in many ways it's perfect spot because once you're done you can wash you hands in there and you aren't in anyone way. Unfortunately it's the only toilet in the house and some mornings are more stressful than footy Grand Final:-)).

Jason

Thanks to all those who voted in the poll. The verdict is in, and most Workshop community members believe the toilet should have its own room.

Feel free to keep the discussion going by replying below.

Jason

ProjectPete

One thing i noticed when looking at house plans for inspo when designing mine, is that a LOT of Sydney based builders put the toilet in the open ensuite whereas Perth has it in its own room 99% of the time.

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