For some reason, the bathroom tends to get the short end of the straw when it comes to designing a house or apartment. We’ve probably all seen and used bathrooms that were too small, or which had a peculiar “space-saving” design, meaning that you practically had to stand in the toilet while you were taking a shower, or you had to undress in front of an uncovered window of frosted glass that somehow seemed a little too transparent for your liking. I can’t imagine that it’s intentional, but some architects just don’t seem to pay as much attention to the bathroom as they do to the other rooms, or they seem to run out of ideas when designing the bathroom of a house, merely placing the different bathroom amenities randomly in the room or squeezing the entire bathroom into a tight corner of the structure. Sometimes, when the estate agent talks about a “wonderfully economical use of space”, it’s a warning sign, and it’s only when you view the premises that you realise just how “economical” (and uncomfortable) that design really is.
There’s no excuse for a poorly designed bathroom. It’s a room that we use every day, often more than once, so comfort and ease of use should be factors in its design. For many of us, our morning routine starts in the bathroom. It’s a very personal place. In fact, an aesthetically pleasing bathroom experience may be about more than just those twenty minutes in the morning before work, or taking a bath in the evening. According to the principles of Feng Shui, the design and location of the bathroom can have far-reaching implications for the inhabitants of the property.
For the uninitiated, Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system of living that incorporates principles of home design, among others. Translated literally, the name means “Wind Water”, because the Qi (pronounced “chee”) energy that is central to the doctrine of Feng Shui is dispersed by wind, but conserved in water. This conservation of Qi energy is particularly important when it comes to bathrooms, because using the bathroom involves coming into contact with water, as well as the exit of water (or energy) from the premises. The following are some of the basic concepts that Feng Shui prescribes for the positioning and design of bathrooms.
To begin with, the location of the bathroom on the property is very important. The bathroom should not be positioned so that it is always in view, or so that it is the first thing one sees on entering the premises. Therefore, the bathroom should not be positioned at the front entrance, or in the centre of the house. According to Feng Shui principles, if the bathroom is in the middle of the house, it will always be in view of the occupants, and they may develop physical or mental health problems (which I have to admit sounds rather drastic). Apparently, it is very difficult to counter this negative effect. Then again, positioning the bathroom at the entrance allows the Qi energy to exit the house, which is also to the disadvantage of the occupants. A further suggestion in positioning the bathroom is to keep it away from the dining area and kitchen, so that it does not open onto either of those rooms.
Generally speaking, the bathroom should be situated on the northern side of the house, because in the Feng Shui philosophy north represents the element water, which is essential to the functioning of the bathroom.
Concerning the design of the bathroom, Feng Shui recommends that plants are placed in the bathroom, or some other decoration, in order to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and not a dour, clinical “hospital” experience. The introduction of a large mirror is also recommended, as this will increase the sense of space in the room and make personal grooming easier, allowing you to view yourself properly. The room should be well ventilated and receive plenty of light, either through a window or a skylight.
There are also Feng Shui guidelines for using the bathroom. Listening to music while bathing is recommended. The toilet seat should always be down when not in use (sorry guys, the girls win this time!) and the bathroom door should remain closed at all times. In order to counter “bad” or “negative” energy, it helps to place a wind chime or bells at the bathroom door, and to avoid loss of Qi energy it is also essential to fix any leaks in the bathroom as quickly as possible, as the leaking water represents a waste of energy.
Of course, these design principles may be difficult or even impossible to implement in some cases, while some of them are basic common sense, and are common design practice anyway. Then again, some of them may not be to your taste. And then there are those of us who would dismiss it all as pure superstition. Ultimately, the choice is yours. But whether you take these Feng Shui principles seriously or not, the fact remains that the bathroom should enjoy adequate attention in the design of your home. It’s an important space where we spend a lot of our time. Using your bathroom should be a pleasant experience. Even if you have moved into an existing house or apartment, there are probably improvements which can be made, and, with the right advice, making them may be a whole lot easier than you may anticipate.
Image courtesy of Ken Lauher
