Key Considerations For A Planning A Bathroom Loft Conversion

Loft conversions are a population home renovation, particularly for townhouses where space is often at a premium. They can be versatile spaces, allowing a growing family to stay in place rather than move to a new area, and will add value to your property should you wish to sell in the future. 

A commonly asked question is whether it is possible to install a bathroom in a loft conversion. This may be an en-suite to a bedroom, or even across the entire floorspace. The answer is that it is indeed possible, although they can be unusual spaces and the bathroom will benefit from careful planning and design. Here are some tips.

Check the plumbing system

The first step is to establish if the property’s plumbing system is suitable for adapting to a loft bathroom. The loft bathroom will obviously need a means of connecting to the main water supply, which can usually be achieved. 

Ideally the bath or shower should be installed as close to the current supply as possible, to avoid complex extensions that would be costly and time consuming. It may also be necessary to install a pump to ensure that the shower and taps have a strong enough water pressure. This will be a more efficient and space saving alternative to a water tank.

The same applies to the waste pipes; changing the location and angle of these pipes can be tricky and may compromise the performance of the drainage system, so if at all possible it’s best to align them with the existing wastepipe (known as soil stacks). However, in some cases it may be necessary to install small flexible extensions. 

Design considerations

When you have established the best place for water-based appliances, the next consideration is how to make best use of space. Obviously the loft space will have variable heights, so it’s important to prioritise the full-height space for a shower. If there is not enough headroom to comfortably stand upright, then it will be more practical to install a bath.

If there is room and you want a sleek and contemporary look, you may wish to install a walk-in shower or even a wet area that is divided from the rest of the space with a single glass shower screen, held in place by a U channel for a glass partition. This will open out the room and make it appear more spacious.

Use the areas with less headroom for installing storage units such as shelves and drawers, towel rails, toilets, and basins. If there’s enough space, you may want to install a free standing bathtub for a touch of luxury. 

Consider ventilation

The bathroom will need to have adequate ventilation to avoid it becoming damp and mouldy, which looks unsightly and can be a health risk. The obvious solution would be to install an openable window, but this may not be possible in smaller loft conversions. Therefore it’s recommended to install a powerful fan to keep the area well ventilated.

Lighting considerations

If possible, include skylights or dormer windows in the loft conversion to make use of natural light and save energy. However, if this is not possible then ensure there is a good level of ambient light with layers of task lighting. LED mirrors are a useful feature to make tasks such as shaving and applying make up easier. 

Heating

An effective heating system is crucial to ensure that the bathroom can be used comfortably in winter and remains free from mould and mildew. Underfloor heating systems are ideal for bathrooms, because they save space and provide long lasting warmth. Alternatively a heated towel rail is a useful feature for bathrooms. 

Planning permission and building regulations

It is not usually necessary to get planning permission to install a bathroom in an existing loft conversion, unless you will be making external changes to the property, or you live in a conservation area in in a listed building (in which case it’s highly recommended to check if you need Listed Building Consent with the local planning authority).

The bathroom will need to comply with building regulations, regarding head room, waterproofing, ventilation and insulation and electrical safety. If you are carrying out the work yourself, it may be necessary to consult professional advice on these matters.