For many people, the idea of a wall-less bathroom seems unreasonable, distasteful or even frightening. However, according to Slate, wall-less bathrooms have been a trend among luxury hotels for the last 10 years, both abroad and in the United States, and they are continuing to appear in new construction and renovations. Although it isn’t clear whether this trend will keep spreading, it has certainly piqued the interest of travelers, architects and designers everywhere.
The Wall-less Bathroom
Wall-less bathroom suites join the bedroom and the bathroom space by reducing or eliminating the barriers between them. Some wall-less bathrooms create one consistent space by eliminating all interior walls and allowing bathroom fixtures to be exposed. In other cases, the wall-less bathroom merges the bedroom and bathroom spaces but still includes certain features for modesty, such as blinds, half walls or curtains. These features allow the bathroom to retain its sense of privacy while still making the space seem more open. In either case, the bathroom fixtures may be concentrated to one side of the room, or they may be incorporated into the bedroom itself as decorative pieces.
Positives
Having a wall-less bathroom provides several notable advantages that homeowners may enjoy. For example, eliminating the walls between your bathroom and bedroom is a definite space-saver, allowing you to enjoy larger and more luxurious tubs, sinks and showers even in small bedroom suites. Wall-less bathrooms also offer the illusion of a larger, more open suite by removing some of the barriers in the room. In addition, the wall-less bathroom is perfect for individuals or couples who dislike small, enclosed spaces and don’t mind a little less privacy when they are washing up.
Negatives
Although some people may appreciate the spacious feel of a bathroom with no walls, this type of exposure can make others uncomfortable. For many, the bathroom requires a certain amount of privacy. Without walls, this privacy just isn’t possible. According to HouseLogic, some people may also feel that eliminating the barrier between the bathroom and the bedroom isn’t hygienic. With no walls protecting the bedroom, particles aerosolized by toilet flushes are free to float anywhere. Furthermore, some people just don’t like the idea of cleaning up in the same room where they relax and sleep.
Making it Work
This trend isn’t right for everyone. However, if you like the idea of opening up the bedroom suite in your home, you can enjoy the benefits of the wall-less bathroom without leaving your comfort zone. For example, if you have no problem with the lack of privacy, you can knock down the walls completely and let the two rooms become one. However, if you want to retain some modesty without isolating the space entirely, consider exposing just the tub and/or sink. You can also make the bathroom a bit more private by adding room dividers, partial walls, screens or curtains in front of various fixtures. Finally, if you’re worried about hygiene but you still want to explore the idea of an open-concept bedroom suite, you can use glass walls to prevent possible contamination.
No matter how far this trend spreads, it is doubtful that having a toilet in the bedroom will ever appeal to every homeowner. Although it offers a few key benefits, there are definite drawbacks that make many homeowners shy away from bringing it into their own spaces. However, the wall-less bathroom has been a success for some, and it can be customized to meet your needs if you decide that tearing down the walls fits in with your style.
Author Bio: Darryl Crosby is a home renovation blogger and the Senior Director of Marketing at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. Darryl loves to write on home improvement and remodeling projects, as well as providing tips for designing your home just the way you want it.