Bathroom door opening out???

Sam Maguire

Registered User
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73
Im just interested in a quick straw poll on this.

Im intending to refurbish my small bathroom (6 ft x 6ft approx) and - based on other threads here - I think I should put a (shower) bath back in the room to replace the curretn shower cubicle. We will probably never use it but I intend to sell the house over the next few years and I dont want to limit my market to people without kids - its a 3 bed house close to the city with a downstairs WC.

The only way to achieve this and to keep a full size sink (apart from a sliding door, which Im not keen on) is to have the door open out to the landing rather than into the room! The room is on a return, so anyone approaching the door as it opens will be either coming up the stairs or down a few steps from the bedrooms - this should minimise the chance of accidents.

Views more than welcome - maybe Im missing something obvious?

Sam
 
Have you thought of a 50cm wide sink, rather than 60cm? It doesn't look much smaller, but does save a significant amount of room. (I'm not talking about a "cloakroom" sized sink, they tend to be 40cm wide and do look very small).
 
I had to change my door to open outwards when refurbishing my very small bathroom recently and I've had no problems at all. It worked out very well.
 
Most 'understairs' toilets have doors that open out ...dont see any issue with them
 
I have been told that doors traditionally open into a bedroom for reasons of modesty (giving occupants a split second to make themselves decent or tell the person entering the room to stop!), and that they normally swing towards the centre as opposed to the wall for the same reason.

Could be same logic for bathroom, but they would normally be locked when occupied.

Having said that, I have reversed the direction of bathroom door on a flat to give the impression of more space when you step into it. No issue about accidents as it the hall was L-shaped so not interfering with traffic up and down the main corridor. Worked very well.
 
I know that just before we closed on our apartment, the bathroom door had to be changed to open out due to wheelchair access - even though we're on the second floor with no elevator!

Anyhow, we've had no probelms with it.
 
There is some kind of building regulation with regards doors that open outwards onto a landing. I'm not sure of the exact size details...but you better look into it first.

I just had my bathroom re done (2.1m x 1.7m)
I got a 1500mm shower bath (bath will rarely be used, if ever...so full size bath was not necessary but have to have one all the same.

55cm wall hung basin...with short projection of 39cm.

I thought about opening door out but reversed the swing of the door instead....makes the room seem much larger than before.
 
Bathroom door

Many thanks for replies/suggestions.....I already have downstairs WC opening out with no bother so I'll probably go with that to maximise space..I just wanted to see if ppl felt this might put them off buying a house (clearly a bath-less house is a problem for lots of buyers...)

If I go with a 1500mm bath (as someone suggested) I might get my sink in the corner, and not need to change the door, but I need to re-measure to see if this isnt too tight for comfort

Sam
 
We used to have outward opening door on a downstairs WC and it was a great idea. But it wasn't near a stairs. that might a big issue.
 
Bathroom door openng out

The room is actually 1.87m wide x 1.68m deep - the door currently opens into the bottom left hand corner of the rectangle (if you get my drift).

A Shower Bath of 1700mm can easily fit against the "far wall" of 1.87 [I know its not very far.....] and I can leave the electric shower unit where it is - though I will need to plumb the bath taps. Hopefully the old plumbing (there was a bath there originally) wont be too hard to reconnect.

The WC can stay where it is on the bottom right hand side of the rectangle.

By changing the swing of the door I get a full size sink into the area currently wasted behind the door - and occupied by the door when open.

I know its hassle/expense for a bath that we'll rarely use but Im trying to think longer term and resale value.

PS if anyone wants to recommend decent plumbers/general builders in Dublin city area, please feel free to PM me. In addition to the plumbing/tiling, I intend to knock out the false ceiling and install a decent size Velux to flood the place with light.

Im also open to suggestions on what I should be paying for this. 3k to 4k? Or 4k to 5k when you include the Velux? The only new fittings will be bath/screen, taps, light fittings and I already have tiles. In short the main cost should be labour (unless I run with the Velux which will cost me a bit)

Thanks
 
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