The smallest room..........just how small?

[Potty1]

How big is yours?

We are thinking of putting in a downstairs loo. What's the smallest space we need if the door opened outwards?

[Chandra]

I think that since few years ago the planning regulation for downstairs bathroom doors has changed. The door and space must be big enough for somebody to use it with a wheelchair. (I would say ridiculous but anyways, we all will be old one day). We don't have the space to put such a big door that's why we are not allowed to build it. (though I'm considering a clandestine one under the stairs)

[Potty1]

Oh no! I need a downstairs loo and I certainly haven't got room for a wheelchair-sized entrance. The new build houses near us don't have this.

[anorak]

Mine was built with full planning and building regs under 5 years ago and did not need any special sizing. It's tiny.

[Potty1]

How big anorak? I need feet and inches

[Chandra]

I was informed of the regulation in 2001, was it before then? Someway, you've given me hope that it may be possible.

[Cod]

Message withdrawn

[KatieMac]

My auntie had one under the stairs and it was tiny, the door had a corner cut out of it so that it fit.
The floor was about 3ft10 by 3ft (I think)- you could stand where the loo was (but men could in front of it iyswim)

[Cod]

Message withdrawn

[SofiaAmes]

I'm an architect and as far as I know there are no regulations on the size of a toilet door in your home (as long as you can get into it, but practically you want a loo that is usable. I would have to double check, but you really need to have 600mm clearance between the front edge of the toilet and the wall opposite it. And from side to side, you need a minimum of 410mm from the center of the toilet to the wall on either side. Heightwise, I'd have to double check as I don't know the figures off the top of my head. Are you planning on putting this loo under your stairs where height will be an issue...or somewhere else? You should also look at the SPACE range by Ideal Standard. It's very compact and has a corner toilet for odd shaped rooms.

[Potty1]

Thanks for that. The height isn't a problem - it will be a bit taken from my kitchen with the door in from the hallway. The only other issue is the boiler - its a wall mounted combi and the toilet would sort of be underneath it IYSWIM - is that going to be no go?

[SofiaAmes]

No problem. Do a toilet with a concealed cistern so that the boxing in that hides the cistern can also hide the boiler (make sure you leave access for repair). You just need to double check where all the pipes run and make sure there is room to put the waste for the toilet and the run to get it to your man hole.

[Potty1]

Great minds think alike - just been looking at a back - to - wall loo - thanks so much for your input.

When I have a second loo - I'll be able to change my name!

[anorak]

Hello Potty! 2' 3" x 7'4".

Glad no one in my family saw me in there measuring

[anorak]

Ours was built in 2000 btw.

[Chandra]

Worth a check Sofia, I was given that info by an interior design lecturer. She also said that it may depend in the design and how good a relationship as a designer you keep with the planning officer, and maybe, just maybe, they may allow you.

[Evesmama]

dont now if this applies, but saw on some tv makeover show recently that you 'must' have a wash basin in there too?!

[Potty1]

Thanks anorak - yes Evesmama you have to have a wash basin.

[pickledonion]

we have a small loo and no wash basin

[Evesmama]

its just a new regulation i think? dont think you would have to change

[SofiaAmes]

I know that rules like that exist in the usa, but I've never heard of it for residential in the uk, but I'll check at work on monday chandra and let you know.

I think putting a washbasin in a loo is a must. How on earth are you supposed to wash your hands (or expect anyone else to) if there isn't a sink. You can get all sorts of mini washbasins that will fit in a mini loo.

[Chandra]

Ikea sells a tiny one that it's great. Very minimalistic