Should the toilet have its own room or not?

The location of a home’s toilet is a contentious topic among home owners and renovators, with hygiene, functionality, privacy, value and space all key factors to consider.

Lauren Macer, of Sisalla Interior Design, advocates for separate toilets in all houses, whether they be a one-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom home.

“The bathroom should be a space for bathing and the toilet should not be in this room,” Macer says. 

Macer’s philosophy is far removed from the utilitarian designs of decades past, prioritising the bathroom as a space to re-energise and relax.

“In the evenings we wash away the day and we want to feel relaxed; the last thing we want to see whilst we’re sipping our wine in the bath is a toilet,” Macer says.

“The toilet gets in the way of this daily ritual and should be in a separate room to enclose any undesirable odours and noises.”

By separating the bathroom from the toilet, home owners can be better assured of privacy, hygiene and ease of access. 

The inclusion of a small vanity in the space means guests can leave the room having washed their hands, without needing to interrupt someone should the main bathroom be occupied.

“It is definitely advisable to have its own basin for hygiene reasons, especially with children … the entire process is contained in the one room,” Sorrento-based builder Dean Harris says.

Darren Genner, of Minosa Design, is less supportive of the “toilet-only” room, citing it as a thing of the past.

“I think the separate toilet was more common in the days of a home having one or two bathrooms, [but] today’s homes have much more than this,” he says.

“It is not uncommon to have three, four and even more bathrooms per home.”

Ed Turek, of Turek’s Plumbing and Remodelling in the US, argues a separate toilet may impede older or handicapped users.  

“We like to encourage home owners to think further down the road,” Turek says.

If in 10 years they can see having family members who may need handrails, or open access for a walker, or a wheelchair, then the option of the separate toilet room is not a good choice.”

Design by Minosa Design. Photo by Nicole England.

Internationally there is a growing trend towards larger bathrooms that provide a “room within a room” whereby the toilet and shower are enclosed by glass doors. 

Again, the trend strongly divides experts.

“The bathrooms with a glass ‘room’ for the toilet are unnecessary,” Macer says.

“They might seem like a good idea as they can enclose smells and noises from the toilet, but really, the walls are glass, and it isn’t ideal to be able to see the toilet, and especially someone in there!”

Harris points to the potential design issues of this layout.

“Call me old-fashioned, but I would always prefer the walled option over glass as glass doesn’t have the acoustic benefits of walls,” he says. 

“Walls are 100 millimetres thick and glass only 12 millimetres, so if there is the space, then [choose] walls.”

Genner is more supportive of the concept, seeing it as a more practical layout than the traditional open bathroom. 

“We love this idea. If you have young children or even for a en suite it means two people or more can function in the space at the same time with a high level of privacy.” 

The addition of glass dividers also adds a touch of luxury to this typically practical space.

“Hotels are big on the room within a room and I think it is a fantastic idea to add a touch of luxury to your bathroom,” Ben Munro Smith, licensed agent at McGrath Estate Agents, says.

“A room within a room will provide separation for couples and families without the need to have the additional access point of the door. If your goal is privacy then this might not be for you, but if you want to feel like every day you’re on holiday, then go for it.”  

If the decision of whether or not to separate your toilet from the bathroom is based purely on space, Macer recommends minimising the size of your main bathroom to accommodate both rooms.

This is an attractive option for families and frequent entertainers as the use of the main bathroom is less compromised. 

Turek advises choosing the option that yields the best use of the floor plan. 

“We always try to follow the rule to maximise the square footage by designing all fixtures into one area,” Turek says. 

“Again, if room constraints are not a concern, we are seeing separation by glass walls, partial tile walls, and other design concepts that incorporate accessibility into the design.”

While it may change the floor plan, a separate toilet is a cost-effective way to add value to a home.

“A separate toilet adds flexibility to your accommodation and provides many of the benefits of a second bathroom, without the cost and compromise of space,” Munro Smith says.

“Your first consideration when designing a home is to make it liveable. A separate toilet is a great way to do just that.”

Design by Minosa Design. Photo by Nicole England.