You must have heard about different bathroom types especially if you have checked real estate listings.
They have special references like a powder room, guest bath, half bath, etc but most people don't know what the difference is.
It is essential to have knowledge about these bathroom types when building a house, selling a house, buying a house, or simply renovating.
In this guide
Main Bathroom Components
There are four main bathroom components and each component is considered one-quarter of a bathroom.
1. Shower
A standard size considered for a shower is between 30 x 30 inches to 36 x 36 inches. If you want to make it more luxurious you can increase the length.
You can also decrease it if you have a small space. But keep in mind that building codes generally call for at least 21 to 24 inches of clear floor space in front of each fixture, so people have room to move between them.
In United States older homes, finding a shower and bathtub combination is quite common. But most of the newer homes have a separate bathtub and stand-alone shower stall.
In any condition (bathtub/shower combo or separate) the bathroom will be considered a full bathroom.
2. Sink
Just like other fixtures the vanity or sink size will depend on the ideal size of your bathroom. Luckily, we have a variety of sink/vanity to choose from for both large and small spaces.
If you have a small space use a pedestal sink. Pedestal sinks have a top bowl with a slender base. With this sink, you can add a small storage cabinet that requires less space.
In a large size bathroom, go for a double sink vanity. Sixty inches is generally considered the practical minimum width for a double vanity, and most comfortable double vanities run between 60 and 72 inches, depending on your need. This will provide plenty of space on the counter and under the sink also.
3. Toilet
A toilet is considered simple and very straightforward among all the four feature components.
For measurement, it starts from the wall and up to the floor drain (the "rough-in" distance). In older homes, this rough-in distance varies between 10 to 14 inches. But in modern homes 12 inches is the most common standard.
The distance the toilet sticks out from the wall will depend on the bowl shape. So if you have a large bathroom go for an elongated toilet bowl.
It usually measures up to 31 inches (between wall and front). Likewise, if you have a small bathroom go for a round toilet bowl. A round toilet bowl usually measures up to 28 inches (between the wall and front of the toilet bowl).
4. Bathtub
What size you should select will completely depend on the size of your bathroom.
Generally speaking, most house owners go with a standard-size alcove bathtub that measures 60 x 32 x 18 inches.
A standard-size bathtub requires roughly 13 square feet of floor space.
Similarly, different bathtub styles have different measurements. For example, alcove bathtubs are relatively smaller in size than oval or freestanding bathtubs.
But if you are choosing a suite bathroom (bathroom in a primary bedroom) consider a corner tub. It will add a unique look to your bathroom.
Main Bathroom Types
There are four main bathroom components: shower, sink, toilet and bathtub. Each component is considered one quarter of a full bathroom.
Depending on these main components there are five main types of bathrooms you'll commonly see in real estate listings:
- Full/Complete Bathroom
- Suite Bathroom
- Basic/Three Quarter Bathroom
- Half Bathroom/Powder Room
- Quarter Bathroom or Utility Toilet/Shower
Full or Complete Bathroom
When a bathroom has all four components including a shower, bathtub, toilet, and sink it is considered a complete bathroom and called a full bathroom.
They can have a separate shower and bathtub or a combination of both. You are free to add more than one of any of these four components, but it should have at least one of each of them to be called a full bathroom.
Typically a full bathroom can provide versatile functions in a small space. Most modern homes with two or more bedrooms have at least one full bathroom.
Bathtub and Shower
Both the bathtub and shower can be combined or kept separate. Even after combining both (bathtub and shower), they are still counted as two separate components even if they share the same controls.
Suite Bathroom or Master Bathroom
A suite bathroom is a bathroom that is attached to the primary and biggest bedroom of the house.
A suite bathroom is mostly a full bathroom with all four main components, or a three-quarter bathroom, built for a specific separate room (the primary bedroom).
It is also called a master or primary bathroom.
It has its own door that opens up into the primary room, which provides complete privacy. When its door is closed the bathroom is completely enclosed in its own limited space.
With a suite bathroom, there should be at least one other bathroom in the home so people who don't sleep in the primary bedroom can use it, day or night.
But due to all the available facilities, it is quite large in size and has generous storage space.
Primary Bedroom
It is one of the more common real estate terms. In real estate circles, "Primary Bedroom" is the newer term now widely used in place of "Master Bedroom" by most real estate agents.
It is generally considered that this term still reflects the importance of the room, without the connotations some found uncomfortable in the older term.
Basic or Three Quarter Bathroom
A three-quarter bathroom is simply a type of bathroom that has three main components of the bathroom: a sink, a toilet, and a shower or bathtub.
Mostly a small house that has limited space and a small room prefers to have a three-quarter bathroom. Usually, they have a limited storage area as well.
Depending on available space, three-quarter bathrooms can be as little as six by six square feet, or bigger and more luxurious.
On the first floor of a multi-story property, homes commonly have a full bathroom or a three-quarter bathroom.
These bathrooms give you a bright chance to experiment with colors and patterns and add personality.
Half Bathroom or Powder Room
A powder room usually has two main components of a bathroom: sink and toilet.
It is small in size and mostly attached to a living room or hallway, usually on the first floor of the house.
It can be called a guest bathroom because it is mainly used by guests or other family members who can't easily use the stairs, so powder rooms usually have very limited storage.
If you have a full bathroom upstairs and want a convenient second bathroom on the main floor, a powder room is the best option.
It has its own limitations, but you can add unique features to it, for example a wall-mounted sink, statement window, and custom cabinet design. You can also add a touchless faucet and toilet.
Quarter Bathroom or Utility Toilet/Shower
A quarter bathroom has only one component and doesn't take up much space. It only has a toilet, called a utility toilet, or a shower, called a utility shower.
You'll see this layout in public places like a standalone public restroom. Usually it contains just a sink and mirror to freshen up. These are also called utility rooms.
A quarter bathroom can be upgraded to a half bathroom easily by just adding one more feature component.
For instance, if you have a utility toilet you can add a sink, or if you have a utility shower you can renovate it and add a toilet.
What a Powder Room Adds Up To
When you are looking at real estate listings, checking only the number of bathrooms is not enough.
You must consider the terms used, like powder room, three-quarter bathroom, etc. Always do the math.
Keep in mind that a full bathroom has all four components, a three-quarter bathroom has three feature components, a powder room has two components, and a quarter bathroom has only one component.
Always discuss and confirm these details with the agent.
