A bathroom or wash room is a room, usually in a residential dwelling or other commercial structure, that has either a shower or an attached tub. The addition of a wash basin to this type of room is very common. These are sometimes referred to as whirlpool baths, since they incorporate a whirlpool type movement in the water which is known to be a relaxing or soothing experience. A whirlpool bathtub is not a necessity, but many people prefer them for their added comfort and relaxation properties.
Shower/toilet integration can be very simple, with just a sink, a hand held showerhead or, in some cases, a hand held toilet, and the addition of a pedestal sink or slim line sink over a small bathtub. Many homes that have this type of arrangement already installed, either by the homeowner themselves, or by a professional plumbing contractor. In some cases, a plumber may be needed just to make sure that the installation is completed properly.
Some more creative uses of space in the bathroom include a half bathroom, sometimes called a doubling bathroom, which have a smaller bathtub that is separated into a small shower area, and a larger toilet. In this case, the shower area is often used as a sauna by some individuals. Some other variations of this style of bathroom include having a corner, semi-private shower area, and/or a half bath.
In the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world, public restrooms contain toilets that serve two functions, rather than one. Public bathrooms are generally divided by gender, and often by class or ethnicity. There are also separate facilities for men and women, depending upon their placement inside the public facility, and sometimes, even a separate area within the facilities for families.
In Spain, there is what is known as a el ba. This is an elongated toilet that sometimes incorporates showering features. It is the preferred choice for many people, as it gives them the option to have a toilet that they can fully use. An example of an el ba in Spain would be the Metropole. An example of an el ba in the UK would be the Blue Pit.
These are just a few of the ways that bathrooms can be utilized. In many places around the world, these toilets are often found alongside a sauna or steam room. In some areas of the world, such as Spain, they are sometimes incorporated into a hot tub or Jacuzzi tub, to provide an even more sensual bathing experience. Bathrooms are usually available at all times and in many areas are fully equipped with toilet facilities, including both the traditional hoses and newer models that use electricity. In some parts of the world, such as Spain, a mixture of the traditional and modern has been made.