Bathroom

A bathroom is a room that may have different functions depending on the cultural context it is used in.

• In the United States of America a bathroom commonly refers to the room containing a toilet. This is not the case in other countries.

• Throughout most of the English speaking world, a bathroom is room containing a bathtub and often a handbasin. It may also (or alternatively) contain a shower and sometimes, though not always, it may also contain a toilet.

If a bathroom facility is attached to a bedroom it is often known as an en-suite or master bedroom.

A half (1/2) bath contains a toilet and a handbasin (lavatory). A 3/4 bath contains a toilet, a handbasin (lavatory) and a shower. A full bath contains a toilet, a handbasin (lavatory) and a bathtub.

Design Considerations

The design of a bathroom must account for it being a place where both hot and cold water may be used, in significant quantities, for cleaning the human body. Water may be splashed on the walls and floor as well as hot humid air may cause condensation on cold surfaces. From a decorating point of view the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. However, such surfaces are often cold to the touch and so water resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable.

Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters and heated towel rails generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections, rather than plugs and sockets. This minimises the risk of electrocution. Ground-fault circuit interrupter elecrical sockets can reduce the risk of electric shock, and are required for bathroom socket installation by electrical codes in the United States and Canada. In some countries, such as the UK, only special sockets suitable for electric shavers are permitted in bathrooms, and are labelled as such.

See Also

• List of words having different meanings in British and American English