In a typical home design, you will find at least one type of bathroom. However, not all bathrooms will be designed in the same manner. In addition, not all bathrooms will have the same functions. The three main types of bathroom designs include master bathrooms, secondary bathrooms and guest bathrooms most commonly. Each of these three bathrooms will serve its own unique purpose, so it is important to know how each of these bathrooms should be used. This guide will tell you everything you should know about master, secondary and guest bathroom designs, and the key differences between them.
Master Bathrooms
Also commonly referred to as primary bathrooms, master bathrooms are the main bathroom in a full home design. Master bathrooms will have a set of features that are exclusive to master bathrooms, but there is also the possibility of similarities it will share with other types of bathrooms. In general, a master bathroom will include a double bathroom vanity, a shower/bathtub, plenty of storage space and a decent amount of open space relative to the size of the house.
There are also several non-tangible elements of a master bathroom that are exclusive to this space. One of the most important examples is the necessity of comfort. Comfort in a master bathroom can be created in a number of different ways. For example, open space is a great start. Open space allows for optimized accessibility and more importantly, comfort. Another example would be the quality of the bathroom fixtures. Of course, all bathrooms should have high quality fixtures, but a master bathroom will typically include very high quality fixtures.
In addition to the importance of space, several things follow. First of all, the master bathroom should be comfortable enough for two people to be using simultaneously. Because this bathroom will typically be used every single day, it is important that there is sufficient space. Space makes everything easier for everyone using the area, including fixture and accessory placement as well.
There are some things that a master bathroom will have that other types of bathroom will not. One of the most obvious things is the inclusion of a bathtub or shower. These will only be included in master bathrooms due to other types of bathrooms being less focused on comfort and more about quick functionality. Another thing that only master bathrooms will have is an emphasis on luxury and comfort. Master bathrooms will typically have features such as seating or other features that enhance comfort and convenience.
Secondary Bathrooms
Unlike master bathrooms, secondary bathrooms will include a bit less fixtures, accessories and features in general. A master bathroom will focus on factors such as space, comfort and luxury. A secondary bathroom will put as much focus on these things as possible, but they are not the main points of the design. Secondary bathrooms will generally focus more on functionality rather than a specific focus on comfort. Think of a secondary bathroom as a downgraded master bathroom with a few unique features.
Master bathrooms will be the main bathrooms in the home. They will be used basically every single day. Secondary bathrooms can also be used every single day, but they are not the main bathrooms in the home. Unlike master bathrooms, there can be more than one secondary bathroom in some cases, depending on the size of the home. Due to this, secondary bathrooms will generally have the necessary fixtures for everyday use, minus the shower or bathtub. They will typically include bathroom vanities, sinks, toilets and other necessary bathroom fixtures. However, they will not always have space for things like bigger bathroom accessories.
Another difference between these bathrooms is the size of the room itself. Master bathrooms will almost always be larger than secondary bathrooms in the same home space. Of course, this will always depend on the size of the house relative to others. Secondary bathrooms should also have sufficient storage space for necessary items such as cleaning supplies and extra rolls of toilet paper, among other important items.
Secondary bathroom will be one of the more common types of bathrooms due to the versatility of the design. They are smaller than master bathrooms, but still big enough to be used comfortably by anyone. Secondary bathrooms are also great options because the only factor that separates them from master bathrooms is the heavy focus on comfort that is so crucial to a master bathroom design.
Guest Bathrooms
Guest bathrooms will be slightly different than secondary bathrooms and vastly different than master bathrooms. To sum it up, guest bathrooms will be small bathrooms that will not be used nearly as often as the other two bathrooms previously described. To go along with that, they will have certain fixtures while explicitly excluding some others. For example, guest bathrooms will almost never have a bathtub or a shower. However, they will always have a bathroom sink and a toilet. Guest bathrooms are meant to be exactly what they sound like. They should be used by guests or rarely used by the people who live in the home.
Because a guest bathroom will be so much smaller than the other types of bathrooms in a home, there are a few modifications that need to be done to make it a comfortable and accessible space. For example, a guest bathroom doesn’t need nearly as much storage space as the others. Because guest bathrooms are the least used bathrooms in most cases, the items needed for the area can usually be stored elsewhere. Of course, if a guest bathroom has sufficient space, small storage elements can be implemented. This will usually be something small like a little bathroom vanity, some small bathroom hooks or a bathroom shelf.
One thing that is very important to a guest bathroom specifically, is the way it is designed. For example, minimalism is an incredibly important design aspect to make a guest bathroom more comfortable. Because it is so much smaller of a space, minimalist design features will keep the overall design from feeling too overwhelming. Minimalism is an important design feature especially for the aesthetic parts of the bathroom. This will include features such as paint, wallpaper and perhaps most importantly, the fixtures in the bathroom.
How to Determine the Best Options for Your Home
Every home is going to be at least a little different from the next. Because of this, each home will require different types of bathrooms in different locations of the building. Of course, smaller homes will face many more restrictions than a large home with an ample amount of space. This will be especially important to know for master bathroom designs. Master bathrooms can be sized relative to the size of the overall home, but they will generally be the biggest bathroom in the house.
If you are planning on building a new home, this will be a little easier to plan out. If you are in your current home, some additions and remodels can be made, but it will be a bit more difficult than starting from a blank slate. Of course, each of these approaches will come with their own set of challenges. Adding a massive bathroom to an existing home will be quite a challenge. On the other hand, planning it from scratch can also get pretty complicated.
Depending on the size of your home, all of these bathrooms can be included in one building. The number of bathrooms will be something you will have to make a personal decision on, but there is a general rule that you should follow. The rule is that for every bedroom a home has, there should be one bathroom. This is to make sure each person in the home is properly and comfortably accommodated. Of course, not all of these bathrooms need to be master bathrooms. Many homes will usually have one master bathroom and then a combination of guest bathrooms and secondary bathrooms.
In Conclusion
Knowing the differences between each major type of bathroom design is important in figuring out what exactly your home needs. In general, every home should have some sort of master bathroom. It doesn’t have to be extremely large, but it should be there nonetheless. In addition, not every single home you encounter will have the traditional luxury bathroom. Secondary bathrooms are also almost necessary in every home. In a two bedroom home and above, there should be a secondary bathroom. Guest bathrooms are not necessary, but great in medium to large sized homes that have the space.
To sum things up, every type of bathroom will have its own unique use. However, not every type of bathroom will have the same function. It is crucial to understand which types of bathrooms work in certain spaces. Whether you are designing a new bathroom for a new construction or adding to a current home, a bathroom design should be perfect for the area.