Is it not a little bit frustrating when you are in a hurry but you really have to use the bathroom, and when you get there you find out someone is currently using it? Or when you really have to take a bath because your meeting will be starting any minute now, but you cannot since there is already somebody in the shower? Those are dilemmas that most probably you would not want to end up in. What is the solution? Add another bathroom/rest room to your house. Many home owners are doing just that, and not only for emergency related reasons. There are some whose reason is that if ever there are way too many house guests, at least there will be two available lavatories instead of only one (imagine the scene where a dozen or so people are all standing in front of your bathroom door. Not a very good sight indeed).

If you are going to install another bathroom in your house, one thing you could do is to actually construct another room so as to serve the said purpose. But you most probably have to get a building permit before you begin construction. You are after all adding new space to your house; you might want to prepare a permit just in case so that you would not be delayed. Also, you have to make yourself familiar once again with the building regulations and fire codes followed in your area. This is necessary if you would like to make your new bathroom hazard-free.

Another thing that you could do is to use an existing, unused room in your house and just turn it into a lavatory. This would cost less, but you would still have to attend to getting the right materials and the right people for the job. Actually, you can do the whole remodeling thing on your own, but you would still have to let experts check on your work so that you could be informed of any adjustments or modifications immediately. If you are going to do this, you might want to consider putting your bathroom in the basement. A number of people are doing this, so you could say that this has become quite the trend. And if you think installing a bathroom in the basement is somewhat off because of the location itself (the place is dark, damp and cold after all), rest assured that there are ways in modifying your basement to make it look more inviting.

The words “handicap” and “disabled” are used to describe a broad range of limitations people have. Sometimes a person may be temporarily disabled, and in other instances permanent physical disabilities result in a life full of obstacles. Physical activities healthy people find easy to do are a true challenge to the disabled. Most people consider taking a shower to be a routine practice; people with physical challenges consider showering a major occurrence.

Elderly people, for example, may be wheel-chair bound due to lack of cartilage in the knees or any other chronic ailment. Getting into the shower is not as easy as stepping in and turning on the shower. A great deal of concern is always expressed by the person with a disability. Safety is always an issue. Bars may be installed on the walls for stability yet this does nothing for the inability to step over the ledge to get into the handicapped shower. Stepping into a bathtub presents the same problem. Thankfully, designers have produced models that address such concerns.

The handicap bathtub is a blessing for people who need a different type of bathing unit. Wheelchair-bound individuals have the opportunity to take advantage of such tubs that have been made with their limitations in mind. Certain units developed for the physically challenged are referred to as walk-in slide-in tubs. This type of unit allows people who are able to get in on their own do so with the convenience of immediately sitting down. Individuals that cannot stand on their own are able to easily slide onto the built-in bench by opening a door that exposes the seat and tub floor.

Many tubs targeted for the disabled are able to accept transfer devices such as mobile lifts. It is a known fact moving a person with a disability can pose quite a challenge. Issues such as body weight and flexibility can often times be problematic for the helper, nurse, or caretaker. Investing in a tub designed for the disabled is a purchase that benefits the individual in need as well as the caregiver.

The corner of any room can represent wasted space, difficult to use or decorate. Corners are especially difficult to use efficiently in a small room like a bathroom. Many homeowners solve the issue by installing small corner baths in their bathrooms. However, a corner bath is not just for saving space–they are a practical and decorative way to furnish any size bathroom.

Manufacturers have come up with an amazingly varied line of these baths for buyers to choose from. They ensure they have something for everyone. The basic triangular tub that nestles completely within the corner’s angle is no longer the only way to go. It has disadvantages–the shape is not particularly compatible with the human form. Some corner tubs solve the problem by increasing the length of one leg of the triangle, so that the triangle’s “hypotenuse” is longer. These create more room and can provide a nearly standard-size tub. This is an especially promising option if the bathroom itself is rectangular rather than square, and the corner tub can take advantage of the additional length of one wall.

These corner tubs can accommodate any decorator theme, with surrounds made of cherry or mahogany hard wood, ceramic or tile. To separate the tub from the rest of a bathroom and create some privacy, create a little retaining wall and nestle one side of the corner tub along the new retaining wall instead of the bathroom wall (you will need to measure this carefully to be sure it will fit and not consume too much space in the room.) The retaining wall can be decorative itself, made of cement (check if flooring must be reinforced,) and then decorated with the same wood or tile material as the tub. The handy person can perhaps incorporate a hand safety rail or soap holders.

Another good idea is to select a corner bath that includes shower attachments on one wall. Rather than stepping over the edge of a tub, it has a door that opens up. It is designed to create a water-proof seal when it closes. You can have a shower and bath so each can bathe according to their personal preference. This makes even a tiny bathroom a full bath, and adds value to a home. These walk-in corner tubs are marketed frequently to seniors or handicapped individuals, who may have ailments problems that make it difficult to step up over a tub wall, or stand for long periods of time in a shower. Many of these walk-in tubs come with built in seats for those who cannot stand, to safely sit on. They also help avoid slips and falls in the bathtub, an unfortunately quite common accident in homes. So don’t pass by the corner bathtub display at your home improvement store, check them out–they can improve the looks and value of any bathroom in any home.