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Original poster

Bathroom with no window - help!

35 replies

pyjamafashionista · 25/10/2022 16:29

We've bought an old bungalow and are halfway through renovations. The downside is that the bathroom is in the middle of the house and only has a window randomly into the utility room.
We are considering removing the window and DH thinks just go for an extractor fan but won't it be dark, damp and dingy and the extractor fan noisy?? But then the existing window is useless as only opens to the utility. Anyone have a bathroom with no windows and how do you find it?

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 25/10/2022 16:33

I prefer a bathroom with a window but it's not a dealbreaker for me at all especially if there's good ventilation. We've just bought a house where none of the bathrooms have windows and I didn't really think about it at all until now. My DPs have a mix of window and windowless bathrooms and the windowless bathrooms are much nicer actually!

gogohmm · 25/10/2022 16:34

Plenty of bathrooms don't have windows, just install an extractor fan. We are in a new build and none of our bathrooms have windows

GasPanic · 25/10/2022 16:35

Well it won't be dark if you turn the light on.

Extractor fan is probably the cheapest way, but you could do something like a sun tunnel from the roof.

A lot of bathrooms don't tend to have very large windows anyway. I nearly always have the light on in the en suite even though it has a window.

picklemewalnuts · 25/10/2022 16:36

Get one of those light panels. I've used a treatment room which had a light panel covered with a blind, and you'd never know it wasn't a window.

And obviously an extractor fan.

Wilkolampshade · 25/10/2022 16:36

OP, I think modern extractors and lighting are both soo good now this isn't a problem at all. Recently spent ages traipsing around new build flats with DD's and none of the bathrooms had windows.... when they're tiled floor to ceiling and brightly lit they look very smart.

Plump82 · 25/10/2022 16:37

I don't have a window in my bathroom and it's totally fine. We have a good extractor fan and it's not loud at all. We went all white for the full bathroom to keep it nice and bright.

SnarkyBag · 25/10/2022 16:37

You’ll need an extractor fan (even with a window). Run the fan for at least 20 minutes after a shower and use a squeegee to remove condensation and water from shower screens Maybe invest in a small dehumidifier too.

you could leave the window in to give the room a bit of light though

nokidshere · 25/10/2022 16:37

I've never lived in a house where bathrooms don't have windows. I think It would be a dealbreaker for me. Is there anyway you can put a window in? What about a skylight one?

SnarkyBag · 25/10/2022 16:38

Also hotels and apartments never have windows in bathrooms and they never seem dark and dingy to me

ApolloandDaphne · 25/10/2022 16:38

My last house had 2 bathrooms without a window. They were both fine with just an extractor and good ceiling lights.

MadisonAvenue · 25/10/2022 16:38

Our family bathroom doesn’t have a window, we have an extractor fan and use daylight bulbs in the spotlights and the light in there is lovely.

ExtraOnions · 25/10/2022 16:39

Plenty of hotel bathrooms don’t have windows in, and they are (mostly) nice & bright

Beamur · 25/10/2022 16:43

As it's a bungalow you could get a sun tunnel for natural light?
You will need an extractor fan though.

Dogtooth · 25/10/2022 16:44

Could you fit a sun tunnel/tube like this? www.wickes.co.uk/VELUX-Rigid-Sun-Tunnel-for-Tile-Pitched-Roofs---350mm/p/148923

Worthyornot · 25/10/2022 16:45

nokidshere · 25/10/2022 16:37

I've never lived in a house where bathrooms don't have windows. I think It would be a dealbreaker for me. Is there anyway you can put a window in? What about a skylight one?

Same here. A window in the bathroom is an absolute must for me.

Winterscomingagain · 25/10/2022 16:48

Mine is similar, in the middle of the house and therefore no windows. We have a sun tunnel and a skylight, the only issue with the skylight is that it's very deeply recessed but can be opened with one of the pole opening devices. It does make a difference to be able to air the bathroom.

PlentyOFool · 25/10/2022 16:55

Dogtooth · 25/10/2022 16:44

I was going to suggest this, we have a solar tube in our laundry room and it works great!

MarigoldMoonStone · 25/10/2022 16:55

I don't have a window in my bathroom, its absolutely fine. I actually forget to put extractor fan on in there most the time, I've lived there 18 months and no issues with mould or anything. Must remember to use it tho!

Crazymadchickenlady · 25/10/2022 16:55

We have no window in our bathroom and upgraded the extractor fan to an inline extractor fan. They go up in the loft and are much more powerful and quieter than the ones with the fan in the ceiling. We now just have the round grill on the bathroom ceiling. We have this one www.screwfix.com/p/vent-axia-17104020-97mm-axial-inline-extractor-fan-with-timer-240v/53730

PlentyOFool · 25/10/2022 16:56

Sorry, forgot to add, we installed it after we moved in. It wasn't a new build

FinallyHere · 25/10/2022 17:01

Absolutely, install really good extractor fan with duct to the outside.

Then choose either pale, bright colour scheme with a 'false' window with a sunlight type of light and all covered with a blind or

go for a glamorous vibe, dark walls l, mirrors and chandelier kind of scheme.

Sachertortie · 25/10/2022 17:04

Our main bathroom doesn't have a window, it is much warmer and drier than the ensuite which does have a window and seems permanently damp. Just get an extractor and lights.

hoorayandupsherises · 25/10/2022 17:04

Our bathroom doesn't have a window. Although theoretically we could put a roof light in, it would mean getting rid of the loft so would be a massive undertaking.

It needs renovating (we're slowly working our way round the house and we have a downstairs shower room) and we are planning on an LED light panel like a skylight and an opaque glass window out towards the corridor, but narrow and right up against the ceiling so no feeling that anyone can look in. We already have an extractor.

Daisychainsx · 25/10/2022 17:08

The bathroom in my old house didn't have a window and it never bothered me, I'd say a nice lighting option is essential. Mine had a big mirror unit with warm downlights that were perfect for a cosy bath or evening trips to the loo where I didn't want to be blinded by the big light.

My new bathroom has an unfrosted window and no window coverings yet, that's worse 😆

SkylightSkylight · 25/10/2022 17:10

@pyjamafashionista I did when I moved in here. But I knew I'd have to change it, I can't stand not having natural light & it made me claustrophobic, fortunately I live alone so I could just leave the door open, until I had people staying 🙇🏻‍♀️

i hade a skylight put in the roof and a frame & plasterboard 'shaft' built the goes from the bath roof ceiling, through the loft to the skylight, with a long pole to open/close it.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

The only thing I'd change is paying the extra and getting an electric one. At the time it seemed like an unnecessary expense & more risk of something going wrong. It's not really a big deal to use the pile, but a switch would be easier!