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8 Common Loft Bathroom Problems and How to Solve Them
Follow these expert tips to plan the perfect bathroom for your loft conversion
Planning an en suite for your loft conversion? To help you make it work in the space you have available, as part of our Loft Planning guide we’ve identified some of the most common dilemmas and asked four experts to solve them.
Professional advice from: Rosario Gonzalez of Landmark Lofts; Graham Wicks of ExtendOut; Angus Eitel of fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors; Jamie Edmonds of Asset Lofts
Beginning your loft conversion project? Read How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Professional advice from: Rosario Gonzalez of Landmark Lofts; Graham Wicks of ExtendOut; Angus Eitel of fiftypointeight Architecture + Interiors; Jamie Edmonds of Asset Lofts
Beginning your loft conversion project? Read How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Problem: The walls are awkwardly shaped
Solution: Celebrate the difference
“Any loft conversion will involve structural alterations of some form or other, so embrace idiosyncrasy,” Angus advises. “Expose structure and use it as a feature to add some personality to the space. Work with, not against, a sloping ceiling, and use ‘dead’ space to conceal the cistern for a wall-hung toilet.”
Rosario concurs, “A concealed cistern saves a bit of floor space and provides a ledge, which, as well as being more elegant, creates more storage.”
Graham Wicks says, “Add in niches and recessed shelves, which can be built into the false walls that hide the pipework and used for storage.”
Rosario adds, “Niches, especially in the shower, are a clever way to create more storage. Also, with decorative or contrasting tiling, they can serve as an interesting design feature.”
Solution: Celebrate the difference
“Any loft conversion will involve structural alterations of some form or other, so embrace idiosyncrasy,” Angus advises. “Expose structure and use it as a feature to add some personality to the space. Work with, not against, a sloping ceiling, and use ‘dead’ space to conceal the cistern for a wall-hung toilet.”
Rosario concurs, “A concealed cistern saves a bit of floor space and provides a ledge, which, as well as being more elegant, creates more storage.”
Graham Wicks says, “Add in niches and recessed shelves, which can be built into the false walls that hide the pipework and used for storage.”
Rosario adds, “Niches, especially in the shower, are a clever way to create more storage. Also, with decorative or contrasting tiling, they can serve as an interesting design feature.”
Problem: The shower takes over the space
Solution: Design a wetroom
“Shower enclosures tend to take up space and box you in,” Rosario says, “so consider a wetroom instead.”
Graham advises, “Install a wetroom with a glass panel and hidden drain within the floor tiles instead of a shower tray with enclosure. Not only will this create a bright and airy feel to the en suite, it will also eliminate a step into the shower.”
Worried about leaks? Jamie says, “Make sure you use good-quality fixtures to avoid bits coming off, which will lead to leaks.”
Solution: Design a wetroom
“Shower enclosures tend to take up space and box you in,” Rosario says, “so consider a wetroom instead.”
Graham advises, “Install a wetroom with a glass panel and hidden drain within the floor tiles instead of a shower tray with enclosure. Not only will this create a bright and airy feel to the en suite, it will also eliminate a step into the shower.”
Worried about leaks? Jamie says, “Make sure you use good-quality fixtures to avoid bits coming off, which will lead to leaks.”
Problem: It’s going to feel cramped
Solution: Think again about your measurements
We tend to assume we should make a loft en suite as small as possible, so as not to take space from the bedroom. But Graham disagrees, and says, “Don’t design the room too small just because it’s an en suite.”
Angus says, “The minimum floor space for an en suite should be 2 x 2m. Space-saver bathrooms are an option, but if any part of the ceiling is sloping, the space can feel more cramped.”
“Consider making the space larger, if the adjacent room can afford it,” he adds. “Many en suites tend to be in master bedrooms or guest bedrooms, so add a bit of luxury with a double basin or an oversized shower.”
Solution: Think again about your measurements
We tend to assume we should make a loft en suite as small as possible, so as not to take space from the bedroom. But Graham disagrees, and says, “Don’t design the room too small just because it’s an en suite.”
Angus says, “The minimum floor space for an en suite should be 2 x 2m. Space-saver bathrooms are an option, but if any part of the ceiling is sloping, the space can feel more cramped.”
“Consider making the space larger, if the adjacent room can afford it,” he adds. “Many en suites tend to be in master bedrooms or guest bedrooms, so add a bit of luxury with a double basin or an oversized shower.”
Problem: I’m not sure where to put the sanitaryware
Solution: Consider drainage
If you’re in a dilemma about how to lay out your loft en suite, use plumbing as your guide.
“Ensure the location of the en suite works in relation to the position of the existing waste drainage,” says Angus. “Ideally, the room will be as close as possible. Within 2m is best – longer drainage runs are possible with showers and basins, but less so with toilets.
“As a last resort a macerator (Saniflo or similar) could be installed,” he adds.
Solution: Consider drainage
If you’re in a dilemma about how to lay out your loft en suite, use plumbing as your guide.
“Ensure the location of the en suite works in relation to the position of the existing waste drainage,” says Angus. “Ideally, the room will be as close as possible. Within 2m is best – longer drainage runs are possible with showers and basins, but less so with toilets.
“As a last resort a macerator (Saniflo or similar) could be installed,” he adds.
Problem: The door takes up room
Solution: Consider alternatives to a swing door
If your loft space is tight, the last thing you want to do is take up room with a door that swings either into the bathroom or out into the adjacent bedroom.
Rosario has a solution: “Opt for a pocket door if the space in the bathroom is limited. Door swings could be taking up the vital space you need for that dream roll-top bath.”
Inspired to create an en suite? Read reviews of bathroom designers and fitters in your area.
Solution: Consider alternatives to a swing door
If your loft space is tight, the last thing you want to do is take up room with a door that swings either into the bathroom or out into the adjacent bedroom.
Rosario has a solution: “Opt for a pocket door if the space in the bathroom is limited. Door swings could be taking up the vital space you need for that dream roll-top bath.”
Inspired to create an en suite? Read reviews of bathroom designers and fitters in your area.
Problem: Lack of space makes it feel cluttered
Solution: Keep things streamlined
If you’re worried your en suite is going to feel cluttered, there are a few tricks you can use. “Fit a wall-mounted toilet, basin and vanity unit,” says Graham. “It will enhance the sense of space and be much easier to keep clean.
“Also, use the same tiles on the floor as the walls,” he says, “as this is a neat way of creating that feeling of space.”
Jamie adds a reminder: “Always use the correct materials behind the tiles. Ditra matting should be laid beneath the floor tiles – this is a waterproof rubber membrane that allows a little movement of the tiles.
“Marine ply backing board should go behind the wall tiles, as it’s more water-resistant than normal ply,” he says.
Solution: Keep things streamlined
If you’re worried your en suite is going to feel cluttered, there are a few tricks you can use. “Fit a wall-mounted toilet, basin and vanity unit,” says Graham. “It will enhance the sense of space and be much easier to keep clean.
“Also, use the same tiles on the floor as the walls,” he says, “as this is a neat way of creating that feeling of space.”
Jamie adds a reminder: “Always use the correct materials behind the tiles. Ditra matting should be laid beneath the floor tiles – this is a waterproof rubber membrane that allows a little movement of the tiles.
“Marine ply backing board should go behind the wall tiles, as it’s more water-resistant than normal ply,” he says.
Problem: There’s a low water pressure
Solution: Harness technology
“Adequate water pressure is vital to make all the effort worthwhile,” says Angus.
There are a few things you can do to boost yours. “An electric shower is an easy solution. However, it’s not always the most elegant,” he says.
“Consider adding a concealed pump to boost pressure, although these can be quite noisy. Alternatively, install an unvented hot-water cylinder that works off mains water pressure.”
Jamie adds, “A combi boiler may struggle, but you can use a pump or upgrade the system. Consider a horizontal unvented hot-water cylinder, such as a Megaflo, which can go in the eaves along with items such as a coffin tank [ideal where space is restricted].”
Tell us…
Are you planning to install an en suite bathroom in your loft conversion? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Solution: Harness technology
“Adequate water pressure is vital to make all the effort worthwhile,” says Angus.
There are a few things you can do to boost yours. “An electric shower is an easy solution. However, it’s not always the most elegant,” he says.
“Consider adding a concealed pump to boost pressure, although these can be quite noisy. Alternatively, install an unvented hot-water cylinder that works off mains water pressure.”
Jamie adds, “A combi boiler may struggle, but you can use a pump or upgrade the system. Consider a horizontal unvented hot-water cylinder, such as a Megaflo, which can go in the eaves along with items such as a coffin tank [ideal where space is restricted].”
Tell us…
Are you planning to install an en suite bathroom in your loft conversion? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Solution: Fit as many windows as you can
If you’re worried your loft en suite will feel a little gloomy, Angus Eitel advises, “Take any opportunity to introduce natural daylight with dormer and roof windows. The daylight is much greater on upper storeys and privacy can be better, so make the windows as large as possible.
“Counteract a low ceiling height with roof windows, and place them strategically where more head room is required,” he adds.
Rosario Gonzalez agrees and says, “Putting the toilet under a roof window is a very good use of space. Tucking it under a sloping ceiling leaves more head height for the rest of the en suite, while the light from the roof window will ensure you won’t feel too closed in.”
Jamie Edmonds explains, “By placing a roof window above the loo or basin, you’ll gain 10 to 15cm of head height.”