How to Equip a Bathroom on a Country Plot: Tips from Professionals + Examples

Have you bought a country plot and are considering bathroom installation? Or perhaps the house has been standing for a long time but you haven't found time to solve the comfort issues? In this post, we tell what to take into account and what to remember when setting up a bathroom on a country plot, so you can enjoy the countryside with comfort and for longer than usual.

Choosing a Location for the Bathroom

It should be located away from the kitchen. It is good if at least one wall of the future bathroom is external — this ensures natural ventilation.

If your country house is two-story and there will be only one bathroom, it's better to place it on the first floor. If you plan a bathroom on each floor, they should be positioned one above the other.

Design: Margarita Rasskazova

Determining the Sewage and Water Supply System

Think about how much time you spend or plan to spend on the country plot. If the house is small and you're lazy and only go to the countryside a few times during summer, an acceptable option is a biotoilet and water from a well.

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM: to comfortably enjoy nature, just a few meters are enough. For example, in the USA, there are popular homes on wheels that go to the sea or mountains and where people live.

We talked about one such «country plot». Its area is only 22 square meters, but it has a sink, shelves, a washing machine, and even a full-size bathtub. The biotoilet in such a bathroom looks natural: combined with wooden floors, shelves, curtains, and light wall cladding. This is a successful option.

If you can't imagine summer without garden beds and garden work, and in general plan to spend a lot of time at the country plot, you can connect a pump or install a pump station. Water will flow into the bathroom from a well or borehole through pump pipelines.

A cheaper alternative to this option is a pump station with a surface pump, where garden hoses are used. They are pulled across the entire plot to the house and watering containers. The downside of this system is that it must be dismantled and stored until the next camping season when temperatures drop.

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM: it's worth noting the experience of European country plot owners. For example, a couple from Sweden bought a country plot and installed a shower right outdoors. On a hot summer day, such a solution is relevant for our latitudes too. The key point is to provide a high fence and curtains to hide from nosy neighbors.

In case of year-round use of the country plot, it is worth investing in a water supply system and spending considerable time on its maintenance. For example, monitor that during cold weather, when the country house is empty, no water remains in the pipes, otherwise there's a risk of pipe bursts and toilet cracks.

It is good if the country plot has central water supply — then you don't have to worry about water delivery at all. However, even in this case and in other scenarios, cold water needs to be heated. If installing a boiler and related costs are not part of the plan, make sure to have a reliable water heater.

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM: «country plot» models are available from Ariston — these are electric water heaters ABS ANDRIS LUX.

What makes them good?

Firstly, these water heaters are compact: the smallest model is just over 30 centimeters in height and width, with a volume of six liters. Such a small unit will take up very little space in the bathroom.

Secondly, these devices heat all the water in the tank quickly — less than half an hour. They also feature an external heating regulator to quickly adjust the comfortable water temperature.

Thirdly, the control panel is simple and intuitive, and you don't need to be a specialist to figure out how to use it.

Dealing with Waterproofing

Before laying tiles, natural or artificial stone, shiplap, or other finishing materials in the bathroom, it is important to go over the walls and floor with aquamastic or other waterproofing compounds. Another option is to clad the bathroom with plastic panels.

It is better to lower the floor level in the bathroom by a few centimeters before installing waterproofing. This will contain water in case of leakage.

Choosing the Finish

Tiles, natural or artificial stone, plaster — any of these «urban» options can be used for a country bathroom. For summer country houses, it's better to avoid tiles with minimal joints: due to large temperature fluctuations, tiles may crack.

Plastic shiplap and plywood are budget-friendly options, but they can also look aesthetically pleasing: take a look at this bathroom in a country house in Ekaterinburg.

Marina Efstigneeva decorated it in the best traditions of Scandinavian style. The walls were finished with painted shiplap, and the floor with ceramic tiles. This helped save money and make the bathroom stylish and interesting.

Design of a Country Bathroom: 3 Successful Solutions from Designers

The clients didn't build a new house but bought an existing one made of logs. Designers helped with the renovation, and they increased the number of bathrooms. For finishing, they chose black-and-white tiles and combined them with paint and shiplap.

In bathrooms of a summer cottage by Lake Garda in Italy, designer Zhenya Zhedanova combined old stone masonry with ceramic granite resembling limestone, added countertops for sinks made of the same material, and completed the look with classic mixers and a wooden mirror.

A solution for those who prefer natural and artificial stone finishes.

Another example of how shiplap can look great and original in bathrooms. Designer Anna Vasilieva came up with this solution for herself and her family. The house was built on the territory of an old dacha settlement, so the interiors are somewhat nostalgic and stylistically reminiscent of old Moscow suburbs dachas.

On the cover: Design project by Marina Efstigneeva