When I hear the sound of a pair of soaked flip flops smacking against tile, I cringe. Last summer I witnessed my neighbor’s children stomping through her new white hardwood hallway, creating a pathway of puddled chlorinated water and grass clippings that resembled a wet lawn mower. She spent the next hour crawling on her hands and knees, using a mop, ranting about how she could have afforded to put a rug in the hallway.
It was at that point that I realized I needed to seriously consider creating a transition zone that would help prevent these types of messes, rather than simply being the parent who continually yells, “Take your shoes off!” and “Use a towel!”
After three years of trial and error (and far too many cleaning supply invoices) I finally determined what really works when you want a bathroom that can withstand the chaos of pool life without looking like a rest stop bathroom. It’s not merely selecting waterproof materials; you create a space that encourages wet, sandy, chlorine scented people to go through the cleaning process without ever realizing they were doing so.
Flooring choices almost gave me a nervous breakdown. I think I accumulated close to 50 tile samples, laying them all out on our backyard patio like some sort of deranged mosaic artist. Porcelain won by a landslide. Not the inexpensive tile that will chip if you sneeze at it, but high-quality, through body porcelain with a bit of texture. Smooth tiles become ice skating rinks when they are wet — I learned this the hard way when my brother-in-law slid into the towel closet last July.
I selected 12 x 24 inch planks in a warm gray color that resembles weathered wood but laughs in the face of standing water. The larger tile sizes mean there are fewer grout lines, which results in fewer grout lines to clean later. Trust me on this one. While those miniature mosaics may appear cute and Instagram-worthy, cleaning sand out of 100 grout lines becomes tiresome quickly.
Grout is another aspect of tile installation. Epoxy grout versus cement-based grout. Yes, it is more money upfront and yes, it is harder to install. However, it does not stain, it does not promote bacterial growth, and it actually repels water, rather than absorbing it. I still shudder when I recall finding black mold growing through the common grout in our previous guest bathroom. No more.
Walls also needed to be able to withstand splashes without appearing to be an industrial-type space. I used large-format ceramic tiles to the ceiling in the shower area and completed with a moisture-resistant finish above. The tiles are a soft white subway pattern. Classic enough not to appear dated, yet large enough to make cleaning simple. The finish is Benjamin Moore’s Advance in semi-gloss. It appears dull but cleans beautifully and does not peel when the humidity increases dramatically.
This is where I became creative with the design. Rather than the traditional bathroom configuration, I developed what I refer to as the “Decontamination Flow”. The pool side door opens into a small niche with a built-in bench and hooks located at both child height and adult height. Wet towels, dirty clothing, pool equipment, etc. — all items are removed to this area prior to entering the space further.
The bench features a lift-top storage compartment for clean towels and a couple other basic essentials. I utilized the same porcelain tile as the floor to line the underside of the bench. This effectively creates a very large shower bench that can withstand whatever is thrown at it. Or sat upon while dripping.
The shower itself occupies approximately half the room. No door. No curb. Simply a gentle incline in the floor leading to a linear drain. I installed three showerheads: one wall-mounted, one handheld mounted on a slide bar, and one rainhead above. Appears excessive, but when you are simultaneously spraying water from three heads to remove sand from three children at the same time, you need to provide sufficient coverage.
The vanity had to be durable. I discovered a 60-inch floating vanity with a quartz countertop that extended slightly beyond the front. Makes cleaning easier and provides a small lip. The undermount sinks are deeper than typical bathroom sinks since they essentially function as wash stations for sandy feet and grimy hands.
Storage was vital but had to be water-resistant. I installed tall cabinetry with soft-close doors and adjustable shelves. All contents remain dry even when the exterior receives a splash. The medicine cabinet features interior lighting and a defogger. Since fogged mirrors are useless when attempting to determine if all of the sunblock was removed.
Lighting plans took considerable thought. Recessed LED lights with a rating for wet areas in the shower, plus a large fixture above the vanity that provides adequate task lighting without casting harsh shadows. I installed a small chandelier above the bench area. Appears elaborate, but I actually purchased it inexpensively at a home improvement center, and it is designed to function in damp conditions, and is simple to clean.
Ventilation cannot be an afterthought. I installed a powerful, but quiet exhaust fan — 110 CFM for a room of this size — plus a small dehumidifier that operates automatically when the humidity level exceeds 60%. I attempted to remove moisture prior to it causing problems, not deal with mold/mildew later.
The door situation required some creativity. The pool-side entry is a solid wood door with functional weather stripping that truly functions — inexpensive weather stripping is worthless, since it separates and forms gaps. The interior door to the primary dwelling is pocket-style, so it does not swing into either room, and may remain open for air circulation when desired.
One feature that has helped significantly: I placed a small utility sink in the corner, plumbed with hot/cold water and a pull-out faucet. Perfect for rinsing goggles, washing pool equipment, or addressing those inevitable “I need to rinse this immediately” moments that occur poolside.
The entire project cost approximately $18,000, including labor for plumbing and electrical work. Every dollar was worth it for the piece of mind, and ending the constant floor mopping. When my children run into the house from the pool, they instinctively stop in the transition zone, utilize the facilities correctly, and are clean enough for the primary residence.
My only regret? I should have installed heated floors. Maybe for next year’s winter project.
