# What's the appeal of "open concept" bathrooms? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889 "2022-07-13T17:40:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jingleheimer-Schmidt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jingleheimer-Schmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jingleheimer-Schmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/1 "2022-07-13T17:40:47Z")
I am staying for a few days in a house rented from Vrbo. It’s a pretty big and modern house (acording to Zillow, it’s about 3,800 sqf, and built in 2006, and those look about right). Very nice place, but has a few design oddities, the most striking of which is the open concept bathrooms. There are three bathrooms, but only one of which is its own room. The other two are parts of bedrooms, with no partition between the toilet and the rest of the room (the one in the master bedroom has walls on 2 1/2 sides, but is open to a good portion of the room, and anyone doing their thing is exposed to about 50% of the surface area of the room, I would guess). I find this bizarre. Besides for privacy issues, there is also a potential smell issue. What’s the appeal of such things? Why would someone deliberately design a house like that? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/2 "2022-07-13T17:48:54Z")
> [@Jingleheimer-Schmidt](#): > > What’s the appeal of such things? Why would someone deliberately design a house like that? I’ve seen such things in real estate listings I’ve been looking at lately. I saw a high-end penthouse apartment, and the whole thing screamed, “A rich pervert lives here!” There was one bathroom that had a sitting area that served no purpose other than to watch someone using the bathroom. Another had a floor-to-ceiling window in the shower, giving you a panoramic view of the horizon. So I suspect that voyeurism/exhibitionism plays a role. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/3 "2022-07-13T17:50:35Z")
When we were looking for a house, we turned one down for that reason. Toilet sitting about 7-8 feet from the bed, with no walls or anything. We loved the house other than that, but it was an absolute show-stopper. Another house we looked at had wall-to-wall carpeting _in the bathroom_. Ew. Some bathroom designs are bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/4 "2022-07-13T17:54:52Z")
> [@Jingleheimer-Schmidt](#): > > What’s the appeal of such things? Why would someone deliberately design a house like that? It would certainly prevent me from ever visiting. Some people consider that an advantage. I think they’d also be preventing a lot more people from visiting, or visiting only once. And again, some people consider that an advantage. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/5 "2022-07-13T17:56:50Z")
> **[People Are Sharing The Worst Bathroom Design Fails They’ve Seen, And They’re...](https://www.boredpanda.com/crappy-shower-bathtub-designs/)** > > Piped water may be one of the greatest conveniences man has come up with but there's still plenty of terrible bathroom designs. > **[30 Bathrooms From Hell Made By People Who Probably Haven’t Used One](https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-bathroom-design-fails/)** > > The following is a list compiled by Bored Panda of the most extreme bathroom design fails that made at least one person if not everyone's' bathroom experience odd, uncomfortable, terrifying and possibly hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/6 "2022-07-13T18:06:29Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > We loved the house other than that, but it was an absolute show-stopper. I was sure you were going go with “absolute shit-show.” ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/7 "2022-07-13T18:13:33Z")
Even the solid gold toilet in the Guggenheim is in a stall, if I am not mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/8 "2022-07-13T18:14:39Z")
My parents’ first apartment (they were 22) had the toilet in the living room. I was told this to illustrate the point that a couple can have too much togetherness. I was in Cambodia with students in a “traditional” Cambodian hotel with bathroom walls that only came 3/4 to the ceiling. That was fun for their roommates when several students got food poisoning. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/9 "2022-07-13T18:14:46Z")
Our master bath is open to our bedroom, but off to the corner a bit. An L shape, I guess. There is a large tub, a sink area, a steam shower, a coffee nook(sink, microwave, etc) and a toilet. The contractor originally had the toilet out in the open, although on the far side of the shower, so a little secluded. We insisted in be walled in and have its own door. Since then I’ve seen a few bathrooms with a toilet in the open. I’m horrified by the concept. What are we, in prison? On a related note, we stayed in a wonderful hotel in Nashville once that had a bathroom with glass walls, with varying (but inadequate) amount of frosting. Even though we’ve been married a long time, my wife and I prefer more privacy than this. Found it: > **[Photos of Bobby Hotel in Nashville –](https://boutiquehotels-nashville.com/hotel/2895726/photos/)** > > We help you find the most unique, stylish and lovable boutique hotels in Nashville. Hotels that are so unique and beautiful that you do not want to leave your room. We also guide you to the best restaurants, cafés, cocktail bars and other places... ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/10 "2022-07-13T19:09:31Z")
When I was house hunting I would have rejected this immediately. I wouldn’t even buy a house that had the bathroom mirror across from the toilet. That is not a time I want to look at myself. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/11 "2022-07-13T20:07:57Z")
Decades ago (and it continues 'til today) I’ve noticed that a lot of UK designers like to put their bath tub in the bedroom. Not quite as bad as the toilet, but I don’t get the appeal. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/12 "2022-07-13T20:12:17Z")
I like The BOBBY very much! The frosted glass bathing space, beautiful, just a few more solid panes please. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/13 "2022-07-13T20:21:09Z")
> [@chela](#): > > The frosted glass bathing space, beautiful, just a few more solid panes please. Yes, that’s all that is required. It’s a great hotel. I can’t imagine they haven’t heard feed back on this and rectified the situation. I have to believe very view people want a view into the bathroom, and those who don’t, really really don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/14 "2022-07-13T20:40:32Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Decades ago (and it continues 'til today) I’ve noticed that a lot of UK designers like to put their bath tub in the bedroom. Not quite as bad as the toilet, but I don’t get the appeal. About forty years ago, we visited England, where we found that some people had the bathroom sink outside the bathroom. (They also had separate hot and cold taps.) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/15 "2022-07-13T20:46:17Z")
I recently reviewed a pension in Spain, noting among other issues the rattling, difficult-to-operate quietly sliding glass door to the bathroom (positioned in this small room about 3 feet from the head of the bed) through which the bright amber emergency exit light mounted over the bathroom door on the interior side both diffused into the room and was reflected by the mirror right back into the bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/16 "2022-07-13T20:48:29Z")
The appeal of “open concept” anything is that that the living space looks bigger and less choppy. Personally I think the drawbacks of an unenclosed toilet are too horrendous to even compare to whatever is aesthetically gained by being more “open”. But then again, sometimes people have certain parts of the home that are for showing, and they do their actual living in other rooms. So maybe the open bathroom is just for appearances and they use a different bathroom for their day-to-day needs. Or, maybe the owner simply lives alone and doesn’t expect to share the bathroom with anyone. Whatever the case, it’s certainly not something I’d even consider. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/17 "2022-07-13T20:48:51Z")
I assume that many of these designs are based on extreme space-saving measures along with the idea that the place is too small for multiple residents or guests and there really won’t be anyone around to either look into or wander into an open bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/18 "2022-07-13T20:53:48Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I assume that many of these designs are based on extreme space-saving measures along with the idea that the place is too small for multiple residents or guests and there really won’t be anyone around to either look into or wander into an open bathroom. The builder’s proposal in our house was not based on lack of space. Our master suite is huge. He must have known people who okayed such an idea, as he didn’t seem to think it was that unusual. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > But then again, sometimes people have certain parts of the home that are for showing, and they do their actual living in other rooms. So maybe the open bathroom is just for appearances and they use a different bathroom for their day-to-day needs. Even with our toilet behind a door, my wife and I often use a different bathroom for “day to day needs.” But I must say, an exposed toilet “just for appearances” is a concept I cannot grasp. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/19 "2022-07-13T20:55:00Z")
Our current house has a large laundry room, probably 10 by 12 ft, in the basement. There’s a closet, tub sink, folding shelf, cabinets - and a toilet. It’s like they thought, “hey, plumbing - why not?”. The room has a door that closes it off from the rest of the basement, so it’s got adequate privacy if needed. But it is weird. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889/20 "2022-07-13T20:58:07Z")
I can see how the open concept might be helpful to someone with mobility issues, but even then there are better design options. A large bathtub or jacuzzi in the bedroom actually sounds kina cool, especially if it’s facing a TV or fireplace. > [@Procrustus](#): > > On a related note, we stayed in a wonderful hotel in Nashville once that had a bathroom with glass walls, with varying (but inadequate) amount of frosting. Even though we’ve been married a long time, my wife and I prefer more privacy than this. Found it: There are multiple hotels in NYC with this setup (Yotel, the Pod Hotels, etc). The small rooms (& lower rates) are a selling point; they’re marketed to travelers who basically just want a private place to sleep, bath, and store luggage. The rooms only sleep on or two people. > [@psychobunny](#): > > When I was house hunting I would have rejected this immediately. I wouldn’t even buy a house that had the bathroom mirror across from the toilet. That is not a time I want to look at myself. Yotel’s solo cabins have the full length mirror directly facing the toilet so you can get an “interesting” view if you don’t slide the frosted glass door closed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-appeal-of-open-concept-bathrooms/967889.md?page=2)