Really Long Bathroom, Vanity too Long & Not Needed - Need Ideas -

17 years ago

I'm putting the cart before the horse as I've actually done before, but before I go and place an offer on this foreclosed property, I really would love some ideas for this really long bathroom. Whereas the house needs a lot of work, this bathroom is more cosmetics (at least that's what I hope) than other areas of the house that has bigger issues. Still, this is a major purchase and being I'm not someone who is good in thinking of ideas on her own I'd love to get some ideas from others which would help put my mind a bit at ease in knowing there's something I could do with this bathroom. It would need some major help - just look at that floor alone!!!! Also, this is the guest bathroom.

As you can see, there is a really long vanity in there with double sinks - totally not needed as it's just DH & myself. Across from the vanity is a linen closet. To the right of the linen closet is a tub/shower - on the other side of that vanity is the toilet. The length of this bathroom is 11'6" (didn't measure width)

What would one do if you wanted a smaller vanity with that extra space??

Any ideas/pics anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance.

Featured Answer

desertsteph

17 years ago

i've never known a house that had too much linen storage.

the partial wall sounds like a good idea. you could put another linen cabinet there - even if it's to put a few towels, wash cloths, spare hair dryer etc for a guest - so they don't have to rummage thru the regular one. also room for extra TP and kleenex bought on sale.
it wouldn't have to be up to the ceiling - could put a nice plant on the top of it and a pic on the wall. they make some really nice free standing ones.

or leave it open as a place for the waste basket and a towel rack on the wall.

great news on the floor then - it can be removed and tiled.

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Comments (7)

Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
If it's space you want you can always put in a Pedastal Sink and add a Linen Closet.
sweeby
17 years ago
A room's proportions are a really big deal to me, and I'm particularly sensitive to long narrow rooms -- hate 'em!

The trick to re-doing a long narrow room is to visially break it up into better-proportioned segments. Draw a rectangle that's 1" x 3" and imagine that's your space -- yuck. Now draw two rectangles of 1" x 1.5", or three 1" x 1" squares -- nice. That's what you do in your bath. Use cabinets, half-walls, ceiling breaks, paint or wall-covering options to visually segment your bath into better-proportioned mini-spaces. You don't have to physically close portions off to make it work.

Your flooring - assuming it's real stone - is something you can work with. Use it as a design inspiration and go with something natural and outdoorsy -- maybe a tropical courtyard environment, an Asian theme, or mountain look. The current wall color, painted louver doors and laminate counter really work against that 'natural' feeling.
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ashleysf
17 years ago
see if you can put a door (pocket or regular) between the vanity and the tub/toilet area (not sure from your description if the linen closet would interfere). This would break up the space and add more usability.
I used to live in a house with that kind of layout for the guest bath and someone could be using the vanity while someone else took a shower.
eldemila
Original Author
17 years ago
happy - definitely don't need MORE room in this bathroom - trying to figure out a better plan with a smaller vanity. I prefer a vanity over a pedestal - need room to store stuff, that's for sure.

sweeby, what are ceiling breaks?? Never heard that term before. I'm sure if I go to the library I'll find books that probably have a layout of this kind in it for ideas, but would love to find someone who's dealt with this before and what they've done. You've given some great ideas to look in to. The half wall, between the toilet and the vanity is definitely an option I'll consider. Possibly a door between the toilet/shower and the vanity may be good too. Oh, that floor, it's linoleum, or something like it - coming up in areas - very ugly!!!!

ashleysf, as I mentioned above, I think your idea of a door would be good. I don't think a pocket door would go, but when I go tomorrow to look at the house again I'll definitely see if it's an option - I would think a regular door could easily go there, but honestly, I can't remember for sure.

I'd like to end the vanity where the 2nd outlet is on that wall (see pic) I think that's long enough. In my current guest bathroom I have a tall floor to almost ceiling cabinet where I store towels and other bathroom related items. It could be a consideration instead of using the existing closet and possibly do something else with that closet area, as I did with my master bathroom linen closet - it's all shelving with decorative stuff on it (when it's clean that is, otherwise, it seems to have become a catch-all!)

Any other ideas, as always, are always appreciated and taken in to consideration.
jakkom
17 years ago
Just be aware that I've seen very few houses that had the proper underlayment for flooring. Especially for bathrooms, you want the plywood underlayment that's rated for water-resistance. I think it's called 4x4, but I'm not certain on that.

It's an additional cost to put in the proper underlayment, but like prepping for a paint job, pays off in the long run. Most mfg warranties, in fact, will specify the type of proper underlayment or the warranty is void.
eldemila
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks to all who replied to my post. We went to look at the house again this morning - was surprised to see some guys inside - seems the bank was paying to put on a new roof.

I had someone meet me there that knows construction - the more he looked (and pointed out) he went from saying if I could get it at one price to I wouldn't buy this house for anything but the land. He pointed out things I hadn't seen before. One was under this bathroom floor, was mildew and rotted plywood/pressboard.

On a good note, well sort of, we passed by another house that may be a match, and a better option. It has a contingency contract on it but we may put in an offer and see what happens. The bathrooms need to be redone, but these are definitely an easier fix than the other house!

Again, I want to thank you all - the information was very helpful!!!