DESIGN OF A LIVING ROOM | SIZES

A living room is the space where people spend plenty of time, a place for social gatherings, or a space to watch TV together in the evening or also can be used as a dining space when a room separator is implemented. So, before buying furniture for the living room it is important to take care of the functional needs. 

While designing your living room, it’s a good idea to think about certain key aspects like space available, the colours to be used, the kind of furniture and accessories you fancy.

LIVING ROOM DOORS AND WINDOWS -

  • Door openings in a Living room should be located so as to give enough wall space for the furniture arrangements.
  • It is preferable to have the doors of constant use placed so that the traffic between them will not interfere with the furniture groups.
  • It is even better if the Main door and the door leading to the other rooms are close to each other in one corner of the room, as the rest of the room can be used for the furniture and a main traffic lane can be avoided.
  • Windows should be located so that a seating arrangement can face the window, since looking out while having a conversation is quite interesting.
  • There should be convenient access to the windows and doors, and furniture should not block the windows.
  • The TV position should be fixed such that it is not opposite a window, as the TV screen will reflect the light from the window.

LIVING ROOM SIZES: 

In my experience as an Architect for the past 15 years, I have found that to arrange furniture and move around comfortably in a Living room, it has to have some minimum basic sizes. Here I have recommended the sixes for a comfortable Living room.

LIVING ROOM WIDTH:

  • There should be convenient access to the windows and doors, and furniture should not block the windows.
  • In small sites, it is difficult to have wide living rooms, but I suggest that the bare minimum width should be 11'0", though it is worthwhile to somehow increase it to 12'0" or at least 11'6", because this will allow for the comfortable arrangement of a furniture group along the width of the Living room.
  • A comfortable width will be 13'0", provided the living room has a big opening to the dining room.
  • A luxurious width will be about 15'0" or even more, depending on the size of your site, budget and the number of people you intend to entertain very often.

LIVING ROOM LENGTH:

  • In a small site, you may have to restrict the length to about 15', which I consider the bare minimum in order to have a reasonably spacious feel and to arrange two seating groups.
  •  A comfortable length for a Living room will be at least 18', as this allows for spacious arrangement of seating groups, easy movement space as well as comfortable distance for TV viewing.
  • A luxurious length will be 20' and above. This solely depends on your site size, budget, and how often and how many people you entertain. It also depends on whether you want to have additional furniture like a Piano, or a Game table for cards etc.

LIVING ROOM DIMENSIONS:

So to summarize, the Living room dimensions can be as follows:
  • Basic minimum - 11'0"x 15'0" and above.
  • Comfortable - 13'0"x18'0" and above.
  • Luxurious - 15'0" (and above) x 20'0" (and above).

LOCATION OF LIVING ROOM:

The Living room is the space where guests are entertained and the first impression is made. In many houses, it is also a kind of Family room, where the family sits together to watch TV or have discussions. The Location of a Living room depends on factors like the main Road, the Foyer, the main entrance door, orientation etc. For Vastu tips on the best location for a Living Room go to:
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DESIGN OF A DINING ROOM | SIZES

For many people, the dining room is their centrepiece—the place that they entertain guests and share family meals. Because of its importance to the home, it’s important to get the design of any dining room exactly right.

A dining room needs to be inviting, relaxing, and as delicious to look at and spend time in as the food being served. Bold, rich colours can work well, but lighter, more subdued tones are equally suitable, depending on the mood to be created. Try to make the dining room accessible as well. Dishes need to be brought in and taken out, while guests will need to move around.

DOORS AND WINDOWS IN DINING ROOM-
  • It is preferable to have the doors of constant use placed so that the traffic between them will not interfere with the furniture groups.
  • It is ideal if the door to the dining room is placed in a corner and the door leading out of the dining room to other spaces, is placed directly opposite in the other corner of the room, so as to enable the dining table and other furniture to be placed in the remaining portion of the room.
  • Windows should be big to allow light to the dining room.
  • There should be convenient access to the windows and doors, and furniture should not block the windows.
  • The TV position should be fixed such that it is not opposite a window, as the TV screen will reflect the light from the window.
DINING ROOM SIZES: 

In my experience as an Architect for the past 15 years, I have found that to arrange furniture and move around comfortably in a Dining room, it has to have some minimum basic sizes. Keeping in mind, the number of people seated at a dining table, I have recommended here the sizes for a comfortable Dining room.
  • Four persons (seats on 2 sides)- 8'0" x 11'6"  
  • Four persons (seats on 4 sides)- 9'0" x 11'6"
  • Six persons (seats on 2 sides) - 10'0" x 13'6" or 12'0" x 10'0"
  • Six persons (seats on 4 sides) - 10'0" x 13'0" or 12'0" x 11'0"
  • Eight persons (seats on mainly 2 sides)-10'6" x 15'0" or 12'6" x 13'
  • Eight persons (seating on all 4 sides) - 11'0" x 13'0" or 13'0" x 11'0"
  • Ten persons - 11'0" width x 15'0" length or 13'0" width x 13'0" length
DINING ROOM DIMENSIONS:

So to summarize, the basic, minimum dimensions for a Dining room depends on the number of persons to be seated and the manner in which the dining table and buffet/sideboard/ crockery cabinet are arranged.
  • If the dining room width has to be less, then the dining table and crockery unit cannot be placed side by side along the width of the room. Then the crockery cabinet is placed at the end along the length of the room, thereby increasing the length of the room.
  • If the Dining room width can be more, then the dining table and buffet can be arranged along the width of the room, which allows the length of the dining room to be lesser as seen below.
  • Basic, Minimum for 4 persons - 8' x 11'6" and above.
  • Basic, Minimum for 6 persons - 10' x 13' or 12' x 10' and above.
  • Basic, Minimum for 8 persons - 10'6" x 15' or 13' x 11' and above.
  • Basic, Minimum for 10 persons - 11' x 15' or 13' x 13' and above.
DINING ROOM LOCATION- 

The Dining room is the space where the family sits together to have a meal and where guests are entertained. The Location of a Dining room depends on factors like the proximity to the Living room, the Kitchen, wash basin etc. For Vastu tips on the best location for a Dining Room go to:
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DESIGN OF A BEDROOM | ARRANGEMENT

The bedroom is the perfect place at home for relaxation and rejuvenation. When considering the design of your bedroom, it’s important to keep in mind both aesthetics and functionality. Before buying furniture for your bedroom, you need to decide some factors like wall colour and the type of flooring that you want. Try to choose a colour that will help you create a calm atmosphere and also compliment well with your bedroom furniture. The lighting needs to be chosen wisely as well because a very bright bedroom is not soothing enough, whereas a room with insufficient lighting will hinder activities such as bedtime reading. 

MASTER BEDROOM- The furniture in the Master Bedroom typically includes:
  • A Queen Size Bed/King Size Bed.
  • Bedside Tables -For Convenience, it is desirable to have 2 bedside tables on either side of the Double bed.
  • A 4 0r 6 shutter Wardrobe or Closet.
  • A dressing Table
  • A Dresser
  • 1 or 2 chairs and a small table for having morning coffee, or conversation.
  • Desk with chair - If space permits adesk is also useful for the workaholics.
MASTER BEDROOM SIZE -
  • With furniture consisting of a Queen size Bed, 2 bedside tables on either side, 4 shutters Closet, a Dressing table, a Dresser or 2 boudoir chairs with coffee table will be of a minimum size of 12'0" x 12'6"
  • With furniture consisting of a King size bed, 2 bedside tables on either side, 6 shutters Closet, a dressing table, dresser, 2 chairs with coffee table in between and a desk with chair will be a minimum of 14'0" x 12'6".
CHILDREN'S BEDROOM :

The furniture in the Children's Bedroom depends on whether it is a Single or Double occupancy room.
  •  The Single Occupancy Bedroom will typically have only one single bed and is generally used by the teenagers and pre-adolescent children (9 to 12 years old) and maybe an elderly person while
  • The Double Occupancy Bedroom will have two single Beds or a bunk bed and is used by preschoolers and school going children of the same sex. It may also be used adults.
  • Bedside Tables -For Convenience, it is desirable to have 2 bedside tables on either side of the Double bed.
  • A 4 or 6 shutter Wardrobe or Closet.
  • 1 or 2 study tables with chairs.
  • A Dresser.
CHILDREN'S BEDROOM SIZES:
  • Single Occupancy Bedroom - with a single bed and bedside table, study table with chair and 2 shutter closet, will be of a minimum size of 9'0" x 10'0"
  • With a single bed and bedside table, study table with chair, 4 shutter closet and dresser, will be of a minimum size of 9'0" x 12'0".
  • Double Occupancy Bedroom - Consisting of 2 single beds with 2 bedside tables in between, a 4 shutter closet, 2 study tables and a dresser, will be of a minimum size of 14'6" x 12'0"
  • Having 2 single beds against 2 walls, 2 bedside tables , a 4 shutter closet, 2 study tables and a boudoir chair, will be of a minimum size of 13'0" x 13'0"
  • If the two single beds are replaced with a bunk bed then the room width can be reduced by around 2'0".
BEDROOM LOCATION:

The bedroom is a private space used for rest, relaxation, reading, writing, working, listening to music, convalescing, sleeping, phoning etc. Hence there is a need for privacy, quiet and peace. It should also be well lit and airy and preferably be near some green garden etc as the oxygen released by plants is rejuvenating. It should be away from the noisy parts of the house and the rooms where guests are entertained. To get some tips on the best location for Bedrooms, go to:
VAASTU SHASTRA | BEDROOM 
DESIGN OF A BEDROOM | PLANNING 

DESIGN OF A CLOSET | TYPES AND SIZES

It’s a room where clothes can be displayed or stored. There are lots of little touches that can be incorporated into a closet to make it a pleasure to use, such as back-lighting for shelves, angled shelving for shoes and cubby-holes for handbags. In addition a dressing table, a full-length mirror, and some kind of versatile and compact seating for sitting down and trying on shoes an be included. It’s also a refuge, somewhere to make private phone calls and enjoy a moment of “me” time. No wonder more and more home owners are turning unused spare bedrooms into their dream closets.

CLOSETS FOR MEN

A Men's closet will require space for storage of shirts, pants, suits, ties, shoes, night clothes, underwear, socks and drawers for lots of small items. These items can be stored in closets 2' deep and 7' high. The width of the closet depends on the space available within the bedroom. Here are some basic, minimum sizes for closets.
  • A minimum size is a 2'6" wide closet. It can accommodate around 10 suits, ties, 6 pairs of shoes and 2 drawers for underwear and other things.
  • A comfortable sized closet is 4' wide. It can accommodate around 10 suits, 7 pairs of shoes, 7 drawers and ties, night clothes on hooks on the inside of the doors.
  • A luxurious sized closet is around 8' wide. This closet can accommodate around 20 suits, 15 pairs of shoes, 8 drawers for combs, underwear, socks etc and a mirror for dressing up.
  • A 5' x 5' walk-in closet can comfortably store 20 suits, 12 sets of underwear, 15 pairs of shoes night clothes, ties. This is the most convenient form of storage space.
  • In places where 2' depth is not available, a shallow closet of minimum 1'8" depth can be provided. In this, a pull-out rod takes care of the suits, as they will be hung front-facing.

CLOSETS FOR WOMEN:

A woman's closet will require space for storing womens' garments, like skirts, trousers, blouses, sarees, dresses, evening dresses, suits, coats, underwear, night clothes, shoes, mirror, make-up things etc. The minimum depth for a woman's closet is 2' and 7' height. The width of the closet depends on the space available in the bedroom.
  • A minimum width for a woman's closet is 2'6". This can accommodate 12 hanging garments (evening dresses, dresses, skirts, sarees etc), 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes and night clothes on the inside of the door and 2 drawers.
  • A comfotable sized closet is 4' wide. This can store 12 hanging garments, 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes, night clothes on hooks on the inside of the door, 7 drawers and a hinged mirror in front of the shelves for dressing up. Or this space can be arranged so that it can store around 20 hanging garments, 10 folded garments, 10 pairs of shoes, 5 drawers.
  • A luxurious sized closet is around 8' wide and can comfortably store around 20 hanging garments, 20 folded garments, 20 pairs of shoes, 7 drawers, mirror in front of shelves for make up stuff.
  • A very comfortable sized walk-in closet for women is 5'6" x 6'. This can accommodate the above mentioned items comfortably.

CLOSETS FOR CHILDREN: 

Children's clothing closets require space for shoes, clothes, underwear, and toys (if an exclusive toy closet is not possible). A children's closet should be a minimum of 2' deep and 7' high. It can be divided horizontally into 2 parts since only the lower half of about 4' can be reached by the children. The upper part can be reached only by adults.
  • The minimum size of such a closet is 2'6" wide. This can accomodate around 14 garments, 6 pairs of shoes, 2 drawers and 3 shelves for underwear, toys, diapers etc.
  • A larger sized closet is around 4' wide. This can accommodate around 14 garments, 10 pairs of shoes, 3 drawers, 8 shelves and pull-out trays for toys and folded clothes.

TYPES OF CLOSETS:

Storage closets are required for various purposes in different parts of the house. Some of the different types of Closets are:
  • Kitchen Cabinets: used for storing glassware, dinnerware, kitchen supplies, table linens, food etc. A closet for food storage is usually referred to as a Pantry or a Larder.
  • Bathroom and medicine Closet: used for storing reserve and current supplies like bath towels, hand towels, toilet tissue rolls, soaps, shampoos and other toiletries. It can also be used for storing medicines. A closet 2'4" wide and 2' deep is sufficient to store toiletries and medicines.
  • Broom closet: A narrow floor-to-ceiling space for the storage of lengthy items like brooms, vacuum cleaner, etc. It can be used for storing all the cleaning equipment etc on shelves and hooks. It can be about 3'6" wide and 2' deep.
  • Wall closet: A very shallow closet closed off from a room by a curtain or folding doors, with only enough depth to hang clothes or store them folded on shelves.
  • Book storage: This is usually provided for in the living room or study or library or family room. It is used for books and most books can fit comfortably on 8" deep shelves, though some books need 10" deep shelves. For books, open shelves are acceptable though regular dusting may be needed.
  • Toy and Game storage: This is provided for in the Children's bedroom and wherever the toys are regularly used. Toys can be stored on shelves or in pull-out trays within a closet. Toy storage should be designed such that it can be used for some other type of storage in the future, when children grow out of toys.
  • Sports equipment: like golf bags, ski equipment, camping equipment, etc may require a separate closet and preferably near the front or outside entrance. It has to be minimum 2'4" deep and 6' wide. It can have shelves of different widths and heights, hooks and poles to accommodate boots, shoes, sneakers, golf clubs, tees, hockey sticks, skates, sports clothes, pistols, bats, fishing rods, knap-sacks. tennis, badminton rackets etc.
  • Outdoor closet: This should be accessible from outdoors and can be used to store lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, rakes, garden tools, shovels, ladders, hammocks, outdoor furniture, bicycles, tricycles etc. Tools and associated items can also be stored here.
  • General storage: This is for bulky, seldom used items like suitcases, extra furniture, etc. A good place for this kind of storage can be above 7' and can be reached by the use of a ladder.
  • Coat closet: A coat closet is a closet of a house where people store their hoods, jackets, umbrellas, scarves, shoes, boots and coats. A coat closet is typically located in the entryway, so that it is close to the front door. Usually a coat closet is at least 2'6" deep to allow for the bulky overcoats and to allow for air circulation around the garments which are often damp when you just come in from outside. 
  • Linen closet: A tall, narrow closet, typically located in or near bathrooms and/or bedrooms. Such a closet contains shelves used to hold towels, washcloths, bedsheets, blankets, and toiletries. The minimum size of such a closet is 1'6" wide and 1'3" deep with shelves spaced at 1' vertically.

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DESIGN OF A STUDY ROOM | ARRANGEMENT

A study is a place where you find ease and comfort to work with the most appropriate accessories and surroundings. One can decorate a Study with things that soothe the mind and help you relax so that you can concentrate on your work. To ensure this, you can use furniture like the revolving chairs or recliners and a table with a perfect height and keep only what is required and remove anything that is out of place or unnecessary in the room.

FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTS IN A STUDY:
  • Parallel arrangement of Office equipment only: With furniture consisting of a Desk and chair on one wall and a Computer table and file storage on the parallel wall, the minimum space occupied is 5'0" x 8'4". For a study room with this parallel arrangement, the minimum size is 6'6" x 8'4" since additional space for opening a door into the room is needed.
  • Right-angle arrangement of Office equipment only: With furniture consisting of a Desk and chair and a file storage on one wall and a Computer table at right angles to the desk on the adjacent wall, the minimum space occupied is 7'8" x 7'6".
  • One-wall arrangement of Office equipment only: With furniture consisting of a Desk and chair, a Computer table and file storage on one wall, the minimum space occupied is 9'4" x 6'4".
  • A Study cum bedroom:  With a single bed and bedside table, study desk/computer table, chair and 2 shutter closet, will be of a minimum size of 8'0" x 7'6". 
  • With a single bed and bedside table, a dresser/file storage/computer table, study desk with chair, 2 shutter closet, will be of a minimum size of 9'0" x 11'0"

STUDY LOCATION:


The study is a private space used for studying, reading, writing, working, sleeping, etc. Hence there is a need for privacy, quiet and peace. It should also be well lit and airy and away from the noisy parts of the house and the rooms where guests are entertained. To get some tips on the best location for Study, go to:
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DESIGN OF A BATHROOM | TYPES

Good bathrooms have some things in common. They get the colour scheme right, they are easy to get around and use and are designed well. While designing your bathroom, it’s a good idea to think about certain key aspects like size, the colours to be used, location of features like sink, shower or bath and the use of natural (or artificial) light. 


BATHROOM TYPES AND SIZES:

Bathrooms can be classified into 4 types, depending on the type of fixtures present.

THREE-FIXTURE BATHROOM:

The conventional three-fixture bathroom without compartments is designed for use by one person at a time. The three fixtures are a Wash basin, a Toilet and a Shower cubicle or a Wash basin, a Toilet and a Bathtub-with-or-without-shower. There are different ways of arranging the fixtures in a Bathroom. The most efficient arrangement is having the three fixtures in a row against the wall opposite the door.
  • For a bathroom with wash basin in the centre and toilet and bathtub/shower on either side, the minimum size required is 7'4" x 5'6". In this type, the door is in the centre opposite the wash basin.
  • For a bathroom with wash basin first, then toilet and lastly bathtub/shower, the minimum size required is 7'8" x 5'0" (for a shower type) and 8'0" x 5'0" (for a bathtub type). In this type, the door to the toilet is opposite or adjacent to the wash basin. 
  • For a square type bathroom, with shower cubicle in one corner and wash basin on one wall and the toilet on the other wall, the minimum size required is 6'0" x 6'6" 
  • For a square bathroom, with bathtub in one corner, wash basin on one wall and toilet on the other wall, the minimum size required is 6'0" x 8'0".
COMPARTMENTED BATHROOM:

To avoid excessive humidity in the Bathroom, in the usual three-fixture bath, the Bath tub or shower cubicle can be located in a separate compartment with a separate door. This type of bathroom affords privacy for 2 users using at the same time and prevents the build-up of humidity in the whole bathroom.
  • For a square bathroom, with bathtub in one corner, wash basin on one wall and toilet on the other wall, the minimum size required is 6'0" x 8'0".
  • The minimum size of such a bathroom with two seperate compartments is 10'6" x 6'0".
  • Another variation is to have 2 separate bathrooms with separate doors - one with only the toilet, (the minimum size of the Toilet is 3'6" x 5'0") and the other with the Shower/bathtub and wash basin, (the minimum size is 5'6" x 6'0"). In this type, the bath can become a combination bath-dressing room. This system was very prevalent in India earlier because it is recommended in Vastu Shastra.
GUEST BATHROOM also known as Powder room:

This bathroom is a two-fixture one, with only a Toilet and a Wash Basin.
  • The minimum size of a powder room is 5' x 5'. It is usually located close to the living/dining room to allow guests to use.
UTILITY BATHROOM:
  • The minimum size of such a bathroom with two seperate compartments is 10'6" x 6'0"
  • The minimum size of a bathroom with a shower cubicle, a wash basin, a toilet and a dressing area/drying cabinet/linen cabinet/extra wash basin is 6'6" x 7'6".
  • The minimum size of a bathroom with a bathtub, a wash basin, a toilet and a dressing area/drying cabinet/linen cabinet/extra wash basin will be at least 9'6" x 6'6" or 11' x 5'6".
    LARGE BATHROOMS -
      • A Four-fixture bathroom - a toilet, a bathtub and 2 wash basins (His and Her's) will be 10'0" x 7'2" or 12'2" x 5'0".
      • A Five-fixture bathroom - with a bathtub, 2 toilets and 2 wash basins in separate compartments will be around 16'4" x 5'0" or 11' x 8'0"
      •  This bathroom is a three-fixture one but has additional space to allow other functions like laundering, dressing etc.
      LOCATION OF BATHROOM:

      Ideally each bathroom should be located near a Bedroom. In addition, one should consider the wind directions and the sun position, in order that the sunrays dry up the bathroom quickly and the wind flow allows for fresh air to enter the bathroom and the humid air to leave it. For this it is best to refer the Vastu guidelines on the design of Bathrooms. Go to: 
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        DESIGN OF A BATHROOM | FIXTURES

        Although the bathroom is a small room in the house, it needs to accommodate plenty of fittings and fixtures. Usually, a bathroom consists of faucets, shower systems, including thermostatic shower systems, and associated items such as water saving fittings. There are countless styles of each fixture. You still have to learn all about the fixtures to make sure that you decide the right design for your bathroom.


        FIXTURES AND FITTINGS IN A BATHROOM:

        The typical fixtures and Accessories in a Bathroom are listed below. There are 4 basic fixtures in a Bathroom Namely: Wash Basin, Toilet, Shower Stall and Bathtub.

        WASH BASIN (SINK) OR LAVATORY (In American Parlance):

        In plumbing, a Sink or Wash basin is a bowl-shaped fixture that is used for washing hands or small objects. Sinks are made of many different materials such as Stainless steel, Enamel over steel or cast iron, Ceramic, Plastic, Concrete, Terrazzo, Stone, Copper or Glass. The Wash basin is fixed such that the top of the basin is at a height of 2'9" from the floor. 

        The typical accessories found with the wash basin are:
        • Faucet (Tap) - Wash Basins generally have taps (faucets) that supply hot and cold water and may include a spray feature to be used for faster rinsing. The faucets are generally fixed on the basin. Sometimes they are fixed on the wall, just above the basin.
        • Mirror - The mirror should be of a minimum height of 1'6" and should be placed above the Wash Basin such that the top of the mirror is at 6'0" height from the floor. For children, a mirror immediately above the basin is preferable. The mirror can be a fixed one or can be fixed in front of a medicine cabinet.
        • Shelf - Optional; can be fixed at a height of 4' from the floor. It can be recessed flush with the wall or jut out 3".
        • Soap dish can be fixed on the wall on one side of the Wash basin at a height of 3'6" from the floor.
        • Tumbler holder - It can be fixed on the wall on the other side of the Basin at a height of 3'6" from the floor.
        • Electric receptacle for Electric Razor or Hair dryer- should be located on the right side of the basin at a height of 3'6" from the floor.
        • Towel ring or Towel Bar - for Face towels can be fixed at a height of 4' from the floor. For children's bathroom it can be placed a little lower.
        • Vanity Unit for dressing - Optional; It can be with a mirrored door of at least 1'6" height, fixed above the wash basin, instead of a medicine cabinet.
        TOILET (WC):

         A toilet disposes of human waste by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location. There are different types of toilets such as the sitting type called the "western", the squatting type called the "Squat" , the combination of squatting and sitting called the "Anglo-Indian". The typical accessories found along with a WC are the following:
        • Health Faucet - A health faucet is a hand-held nozzle, that delivers a spray of water to assist in cleansing the user's anus or genitals after defecation or urination. It is fixed on the wall on the right side of the user, when sitting on the toilet. It is generally fixed at a height of 1'6"
        • Toilet Roll holder also known as a toilet paper dispenser, is an item that holds a roll of toilet paper. It can be fixed on the wall on the left side of the user when sitting on the Toilet, since in most cultures, only the left hand is used for cleaning the private parts. It should be reachable while sitting.
        SHOWER STALL (SHOWER CUBICLE):

        A shower (also called shower bath) is a booth for washing, having an overhead shower nozzle that sprays water down on the body. The standard sizes are 2'8" x 4'0", 3'0" x 3'0", 3'0" x 5'0" etc. The standard fittings found in a Shower Cubicle are :
        • Shower Head - A shower head is a perforated nozzle that distributes the water over a large solid angle. Thus less water can be used to wet the same area compared to a bucket and mug system. Shower heads can be adjusted to spray different patterns of water, and at different angles. The height and type is governed by the Client's preferences, but is usually located at a height of 5'9" from the floor for adults and a height of 5'0" from the floor for children. 
        • Shower Controls - Hot, Cold water and mixing controls should be located below the Shower head at a maximum height of 4'6" from the floor.
        • Soap and sponge holder can be located on the side wall or the rear wall, opposite the shower head at a height of around 4'6" for easy access.
        • Shower curtain rod- Shower curtains are curtains used in bathtubs with a shower or shower enclosures. They are usually made from vinyl, cloth or plastic. The shower curtain has two main purposes: to provide privacy and to prevent water from flooding or spraying into the bathroom.They are fixed at a minimum height of 6'0" from the floor. Optionally, a glass shower enclosure with glass door can be used in place of a curtain. Various types are available in the market.
        • Shower Ventilator - It is desirable to have the ventilator of the bathroom in the shower area, as it can effectively remove the steam.
        • Shower Stall light- It is optional but should be a vapour-proof fixture.
        • Towel rack - 1'6" to 2'0" long for keeping towels. This can be placed on the rear wall of the shower cubicle if it is fairly far from the shower head. Otherwise, it can be placed just outside the shower cubicle
        • Towel Bars- of lengths 1'6", 2'0", 2'6", 3'0" or 3'6". This can be fixed on the rear wall of the shower cubicle at a minimum height of 4' from the floor.
        BATHTUB:

        A bathtub is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel or cast iron, and occasionally wood. The standard sizes are 5'0" x 2'8", 5'6" x 2'8", 6'0" x 3''. This may be in combination with a shower. The standard fittings that are found along with a bathtub are:
        • The shower head- at a height of 5'9" from the floor for adults and 5' for children.
        • Shower controls- at a standard height of 4'6" but this is optional and can be located lower, according to the Client's preferences.
        • Bath spout- just above the bathtub, with bath valves just above the bath spout.
        • Soap and sponge holder -recessed into the wall, at the side of the bathtub at a maximum height of 3'0" from the floor.
        • Vertical Grab bars - of length 9", 12", 15", 18" or 2'0". They are optional but recommended. They are fitted to the side wall adjacent to the bathtub at a height of about 3'6".
        • Towel Bar - fitted on the side wall adjacent to the bathtub at a minimum height of 4'0". However, do not fix the towel bar next to the bathtub if it has a shower.
        • Curtain Rod- Keep within the inside face of the tub at a minimum height of 6'0". Alternately, glass shower enclosure can be used outside the tub, to prevent the water from spilling on the floor.
        CLEARANCES:
        • To ensure adequate space for movement and the convenient use of fixtures in the Bathroom, the following minimum clearances must be observed. It should be noted that the fixture dimensions vary a lot and hence the clearances are taken with respect to the centre-axis of the fixtures and the edges of the fixtures.
        WASH BASIN:
        • 1'8" between the centre axis of the wash basin and the adjacent wall.1'4" between the side edge of the wash basin and the centre axis of the toilet.
        • 2" between the side edge of the wash basin and the edge of the adjacent bathtub.
        • 3'0" between the front edge of the wash basin and the opposite wall.
        • 2'6" between the front edge of the wash basin and the opposite bathtub.
        TOILET:
        • 1'8" between the centre axis of the toilet and the adjacent wall.
        • 1'4" between the centre axis of the toilet and the side edge of the Wash basin.
        • 1'6" between the centre axis of the toilet and the side edge of the bathtub.
        • 1'4" between the centre axis of the toilet and the end of the bathtub.
        • 2'6" between the front edge of the toilet and the opposite wall.
        • 2'0" between the front edge of the toilet and the opposite bathtub.
        • 2'6" between the front edge of the toilet and the opposite wash basin.

        LOCATION OF BATHROOM:

        Ideally each bathroom should be located near a Bedroom. In addition, one should consider the wind directions and the sun position, in order that the sunrays dry up the bathroom quickly and the wind flow allows for fresh air to enter the bathroom and the humid air to leave it. For this it is best to refer the Vastu guidelines on the design of Bathrooms. Go to:
        Related Topics:
        BATHROOM PLANNING
        BATHROOM TYPES
        DESIGN OF OTHER ROOMS IN A HOUSE

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