In 2006, my family and I took a camping road trip around the East Coast of the North Island which resulted in The Toilet Tour, a column on public toilets around New Zealand.
We travelled up through the centre of the North Island visiting friends in Tauranga, across the sunshine highway to Hicks Bay, down the coast to Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Gisborne, Mahiaand Napier, then home. It was a trip that David and I had taken in 1983, stopping at campsites, wineries, soaking up the sun, beaches and windsurfing. Mum, Hamish, Bailee and I stayed at the same campgrounds.
It was fascinating to discover the majority of campsites had not changed, apart from a lick of paint. The ablution blocks were in serious need of some tender loving care. They were not very user friendly. A standard toilet is generally 750mm wide by the length of the toilet, the opening of the door with 150mm to 200mm clearance from the edge of the pan; not ideal for mums taking their children to the toilet.
Toilet design has changed, from home toilets being outside, often off a veranda to inside the house. I remember cold frosty mornings in Taihape and the mad dash to the toilet along the open veranda, which was often slippery with water, and the toilet freezing. When we shifted to Wanganui, the toilet was in the washhouse but you still had to go outside off the veranda to use it.
Today, toilets are inside even in renovated older homes. We now have a toilet and basin together or a toilet suite in the bathroom. We are seeing powder rooms becoming fashionable again. I love this concept. A guest toilet that is completely separate from the family's needs where your guests can freshen up without having to traipse past teenage bedrooms or the family bathroom.
The ideal space should be wide enough to comfortably fit a good-sized hand basin or vanity. Often by the time you install a tap the basin becomes practically too small and you end up with water up the walls or on the floor. The concept of fitting a basin or vanity into a recess where space is taken from the room next door is a great idea. Storage under the basin or vanity hides away toilet paper and soap so guests are not caught short.
The length of the room is also important to ensure good clearance between the door and the toilet. How many times have you used a toilet where you have had to squash yourself down the side of the toilet in order to close the door? It just needs a little thought in the planning stage to get this right.
Good lighting is an essential element of the room. With the variety of lighting available you can have a little fun. Powder room conjures up images of luxury, refinement and a little indulgence. Crystal gives a lovely light with a bit of glam. Ensure the mirror is well lit so that guests touching up make-up can see their faces and not shadows under their eyes.
There are many styles and brands of toilet suites. Choose wisely as some toilets may look great but are uncomfortable. Try it for size but don't sit on a wall hung toilet in a showroom. Wall hung visually gives you more space and are generally easier to clean. With wall hung toilet suites, the cistern is enclosed in the wall which can be an issue further down the track if parts fail, especially if the bathroom has been tiled. Floor mounted suites with wall mounted cisterns are generally easier to install. If you are renovating, the waste will normally determine what is required.
Good ventilation is essential. It doesn't matter whether the powder room is internal or on an outside wall, using natural or artificial ventilation, the ventilation must be good. Ideally, the extractor should continue to work when you have left the room.
And lastly decor ... you can have so much fun with this. Theme the room, make it a stand-alone with that wow factor that guests will talk about. Use practical flooring that is easy to clean. Hard flooring tends to make a room echo whereas vinyl or cork will absorb the sound. Walls can be painted, papered, tiled, mirrored or use wall coverings. Wall coverings are an alternative to wallpapers and are usually fabrics or synthetic finish.
Window treatments can also be fun. Windows are often frosted but shutters or blinds are a nice addition. Or you could be a little more adventurous depending on the placement of the window and the size for ease of cleaning.
Finishing touches ... the shape of the mirror is important. Many toilet areas will have a standard off-the-shelf mirror, but look at other shapes. Round bevelled mirrors are a lovely touch or perhaps an old framed mirror. Scented soaps or hand washes along with oil diffusers and flowers are also a lovely touch. Have fun with the space and create something a little different.
If you have any questions about issues discussed or product supply give me a call on 0276023298 or drop me a line on terry@terrylobb.com www.terrylobb.com (website under construction)
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