If you plan on having a downstairs sanctuary, a basement bathroom should be at the top of your list of priorities. There are a lot of things that people need when they are setting up a new living space downstairs. The list generally starts with a Wide Screen High Definition Flat Panel Television and expands from there. Most people never think about a basement toilet until it is after the fact.
Restroom Break Anyone?
What you may not realize is that having a bathroom is top on the priority list. Why? Because few people want to make that time consuming round trip journey from downstairs to upstairs and back. Especially when a game is on, or if they are playing pool or involved in an intensely competitive video game. This is one of those basement special considerations that must be addressed.
Although every basement scenario may not necessarily need a bathroom, it behooves you to look at all of the variables before deciding, “Yea” or “Nay.” As stated previously, some people just hate to walk upstairs to other parts of the house to try to find a place to use the restroom. It can be a troubling issue that a lot of homeowners are just better off avoiding if possible. At the end of the day, addressing this issue with forethought is one of the most important aspects of making your downstairs living space more convenient and guest friendly. Yes, you will have to address rough plumbing and possibly alter your finished basement plans but better now than later.
What is it about a restroom and convenience that makes humans have so much more fun? For some reason, having a bathroom downstairs is convenient and can make a nice basement look and feel like the perfect room for entertaining. You should allow that crucial statement to be your guiding light that encourages you to consider all of the options before you start your downstairs project.
Planning the Basement Restroom
The key to completing your lavatory starts with planning as best as you possibly can. This is not one of those projects you can jump into and proceed by the seat of your pants. A lot of homeowners make the mistake of not planning properly and this causes some of the biggest problems that can be seen in a basement. When people do not use floor plans and when they do not have a professional take a look at all of the specs, their dream basement can turn into a huge problem that most people do not want to deal with. Nonetheless, it is still possible to get the bathroom completed without a plan, but it is not as effective or as safe.
Once the planning phase has been finished, it is time to start choosing fixtures and putting in the plumbing. The bathroom does not need to be big – as it is just there for getting a specific job done. The bigger the bathroom, the harder it will be to get the plumbing and piping in the right place as there are so many different alterations that will need to be made. This is particularly true if you are adding amenities such as a sauna, an exercise room, a walk in shower or dual showers.
Keeping this in mind, you can quickly figure out how to get this project completed by evaluating the many lavatory ideas and deciding from there. Even if this option doesn’t feel important to you at the moment, it is a good idea to consider how your family members and guests may feel. A basement bathroom may be just what’s needed for you to be viewed as a great entertainer.