The Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Ergonomics

Find out how to create an ergonomic bathroom that is highly efficient, convenient to use and easily adapts to the user

Pooja Khanna Tyagi 12 March 2019

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More

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An ergonomic bathroom is a user-friendly bathroom that combines the essential technical necessities of the bathroom with the aesthetic and practical requirements of the user to create a comfortable space. Bathrooms are one of the smallest and most hardworking areas of the home, which need to cater to different functions so that they can be safely and comfortably used at all times. Good space planning, including the most suitable positions for the sanitaryware and fixtures, is the key to an ergonomic bathroom design.

Here are the basics of bathroom ergonomics.

MEISTER MEISTER

1. Demarcate the wet and dry zone

Divide the bathroom into wet and dry zones so that it stays as dry as possible throughout the day. This zoning not only creates a bathroom that is easy to maintain but is also safe to use.
The bathroom can be zoned with glass partitions, shower cubicles, sliding doors and so on.

Check out stylish ways to separate your wet shower area

Design A Space kitchens, bedrooms & interiors

2. Sufficient lighting

Incorporate sufficient task lighting to illuminate the area around the countertop. Install mirror lights above the mirror or go for two wall-mounted lights, one on each side of the mirror, for even illumination.
The ceiling should have at least two light points, where one light point should be above the shower area. If the bathroom is small and is less than 40 square feet, then one ceiling light point is enough for the bathroom.

Read these expert tips for lighting your bathroom right

TAO Architecture Pvt. Ltd.

3. Ease to clean and maintain
If the bathroom is easy to clean and maintain, it adds to good bathroom ergonomics. How?

Completely partition the wet bathing area from rest of the bathroom so that the bathroom becomes easy to maintain.
Go for a floating vanity or make sure to have a clearance of at least 6 inches from the floor, so that the floor space is clear. This makes it easy to clean below the vanity.

Here’s how to make an easy-to-clean bathroom

Detales - Design stories by Nidhi Shah

4. Dimensions of the countertop

Customise the height of the countertop according to the height of the user. The height of the countertop for a recessed sink should be between 36 and 40 inches.
In case you opt for the modern countertop sink, as in this example, then the finished height of the sink should be between 36 and 40 inches from the floor.
The depth of the countertop should be between 22 and 24 inches; there should be at least 30 inches circulation space in front of the sink for a person to move freely.
Never pair a long tap with a shallow sink; it will lead to water splashing all over the countertop when in use.
For a countertop with two washbasins, the minimum distance between the washbasins should be approximately 30 inches.
The height of a towel ring should range from 50 to 52 inches from the finished bathroom floor. If the towel ring is fixed above the vanity then the towel ring should be fixed at a height of 20 to 22 inches above the countertop.

Contemporary Bathroom Contemporary Bathroom

5. Size and height of mirror

The width of the mirror should be at least 3 feet and the height, measured from the floor to the the base of the mirror, should be 48 inches.
Avoid using wall-mounted vanities (storage cabinet with a mirror front) above the countertop. There may be a tendency to bump one’s head and get hurt if the vanity door opens suddenly or when leaning over the sink.

W Design Interiors

6. Swapping cabinets with drawers
Most storage cabinets below bathroom countertops come with hinged shutters. Replace these shutters with a set of drawers.

Install different-sized drawers that open to their entire length, enable a full view of their contents and allow access to the stored items without having to bend too much. Frequently used items should be placed in the top drawers.

Ricken Desai Photography

7. Going for a wall-hung commode

A wall-mounted commode is ergonomic because it can be installed at a height that is comfortable for the user.
Additionally, a wall-mounted commode creates free floor space that is easy to clean and maintain.
The clearance (free space) in front of the commode should be at least 30 inches.
The toilet-paper holder should be placed on the wall slightly ahead of the front edge of the commode so that one can easily access it, at a height of 26 inches from the floor.
Place the commode shower on the right-hand side of the commode. Keep in mind that if the user is left-handed then the commode shower should be placed on the left side of the commode.

Find out which is better: wall-mounted or floor-mounted WC (commode)

Kumar Moorthy & Associates

8. Size of bathtub

The height of the bathtub should range from 18 to 20 inches so that it is convenient for the user to get into and out of the tub.
Before making the purchase, the user should physically sit inside the bathtub to check whether it is practical and comfortable to use or not. If the end user is obese, make sure to go for an extra-large size of bathtub.
The hot and cold water taps should be installed at a height of 33 inches from floor level so that they can be accessed from the bathtub itself.

American Traditional Bathroom Traditional Bathroom

9. Dimensions of shower area

The shower area should be at least 30 inches wide.
Avoid placing the floor drain just below the shower; the user may step on the drain while bathing, which might result in a flooded floor.
Install glass shelves at a height ranging between 44 and 54 inches for quick access to shampoos and soaps. One can also go for a niche for placing these bathroom essentials, as in this example.
Keep the toiletries away from the shower spray to prevent water from collecting inside the soap dish.
The height of the showerhead should be around 6 feet 6 inches from the floor, which can be adjusted according to the height of the user.
The height of the hot and cold water mixer should be 4 feet above floor level.
Make provision for a built-in seat, with a grab bar for safety, because this is the wet area of the bathroom and there is a risk of slipping.
Ensure safety with anti-skid floor tiles, especially in the wet zone of the bathroom.

KRISHNAN+PARVEZ+architects

10. Position of towel racks

The towel rack should be within easy reach so that one can access towels immediately after taking a shower, as in this image.

Place the towel rack for keeping dry towels at a height of 6 feet from floor level. Make sure that it is well away from the overhead shower so that water does not splash onto the towels.

Read more:
How to Design Your Dream Bathroom
15 Bathrooms That Make the Most of Less S pace

Tell us:
What difficulties do you face on a regular basis while using your bathroom, due to its design? Let us know in the Comments section below.