Have you ever noticed that the doors in different rooms seem to swing in different directions? If so, you may have wondered if certain room should open in certain directions. In particular, should bathroom doors open in or out?
Most contractors and home builders follow an unwritten rule that bathroom doors should swing inwards in both commercial and residential buildings. This design maximizes privacy, safety, and odor control while also ensuring that hallways are not blocked.
Pay attention the next time that you’re out and you may notice that bathroom doors in both homes and commercial buildings swing inward. In fact, you have most likely never seen a bathroom door that swings outward!
You may be thinking of trying something different by adding a bathroom door to your home that swings outward instead of inward. However, it is best to double-check before making such a change!
Should Bathroom Doors Open In or Out?
You most likely opened this guide because you were curious about the correct swing direction of bathroom doors. Now, you know that a bathroom door should always swing inward!
While it’s not written into the building code per say, it is a good measure for several reasons that I’ll be covering shortly.
In fact, you should not find any homes or businesses with bathroom doors that swing outward. This is why all commercial buildings instruct you to push instead of pull the door when entering the bathroom.
If you find a bathroom door that swings outward, this could indicate poor construction or a poor design choice!
Reasons Bathroom Doors Swing Inward
Why do all bathroom doors swing inward instead of outward? It is understandable to wonder why you cannot or should not change the direction of the bathroom door.
When planning a design in such a high-traffic area, you should always consider the surrounding space before making a change to your home elements. What seems like a simple change to your bathroom door is a change that greatly impacts your space.
To give you a better idea of how your decision impacts your space, here are several reasons why bathroom doors should always swing inward.
1. Does Not Block The Hallway
A bathroom door that swings outward is going to block the hallway. If there are bedrooms on either side of the bathroom, this is an inconvenience for all household members.
It is also inconvenient and frustrating to have a bathroom door that swings outward in a short or narrow space. If you open the door too hard or fast, the door may hit and damage the wall of the hallway.
2. Creates A Safer Home Environment
Bathroom doors also swing inward to avoid safety hazards for the occupant and those around them.
The lock and hinges are on the inside of the bathroom when the door swings inward. This way, anyone who is stuck inside the bathroom can pick the lock or take the door off the hinges.
A door that swings outward is also a safety hazard for those outside the bathroom. Imagine the door unexpectedly opening as you are walking down the hallway. The occupant may accidentally hit you with the door and cause an injury.
3. Maximum Comfort and Privacy
Of course, you want maximum privacy when you are using the bathroom. The last thing you want is for someone to walk in while you are washing your hair or getting dressed.
Remember, the lock is on the inside of a bathroom door that swings inward. All you need to do for comfort and privacy is lock the bathroom door.
You do not have the benefit of locking a door that swings outward. In fact, you may find yourself accidentally locked inside the bathroom.
3. Provides Odor Control
There is nothing like an odor from the bathroom flowing through your home to put a damper on your environment.
Luckily, a bathroom door that swings inward provides odor control for your home!
A bathroom door that swings inward sucks the fresh air into the bathroom, but it also keeps the odor from flowing outside the bathroom.
The opposite happens with a bathroom door that swings outward instead of inward. You are sucking the odor into the hallway and surrounding space just by opening the door.
Alternatives To “Swinging” Bathroom Doors
You do not have to stick to a bathroom door that swings inward if you want to stand out, but you should still avoid a bathroom door that swings outward. One idea is to skip the swinging door altogether.
If you are looking to change up your space, here are several alternatives to a swinging bathroom door.
#1 Pocket Door
There are many homeowners who use pocket doors for their closet, bedroom, or dining room. It is possible to add a pocket door to your bathroom, but you need to build an alcove into the wall for the door.
A pocket door slides open and closed to make accessing and ventilating the bathroom a breeze. It also adds visual appeal to your home.
#2 Barn Door
A barn door is another alternative that opens and closes using a sliding mechanism, so this door is another great choice for accessing and ventilating the bathroom.
In addition, a barn door is perfect for adding a rustic, farmhouse, or country charm to your home. You can choose from several colors and finishes for your door.
#3 Shoji Door
If you are looking for a unique style for your bathroom door, look no further than a Shoji door. You can open and close this door by using the sliding mechanism found on pocket and barn doors.
A Shoji door features a wooden frame with window-style compartments made of hard fiber rice paper. It is difficult to puncture the hard fiber rice paper, but you still want to be careful with this door.
Are you looking to change up the vibe in your home? Shoji doors are perfect for adding a traditional Eastern look to your bathroom.
Why You Should Double-Check The Bathroom Door Swing Direction
Why should you double-check the swing direction of the bathroom door in your own home?
After all, you should be able to decide which direction your bathroom door swings!
While you can decide which direction your bathroom door swings, there are disadvantages of a bathroom door that swings outward.
Of course, you may still be wondering why you need to research a topic that is your own decision. The following are several reasons to double-check the proper direction of your bathroom door before jumping into your home project.
1. Planning A Home Remodel
A remodel is a way to start fresh in your home, so it is understandable to want to make a few changes to your space during your remodel.
However, the bathroom door is not something you want to change without finding out the proper swing direction.
2. Building A Custom Home
If you are building a home, you have the opportunity to add custom features and elements to your space.
Therefore, you may want to create a space that stands out from the crowd. One example is changing the direction of the bathroom door.
The swing direction of your bathroom door is a change that should be researched before you start designing your home layout.
3. Double-Checking an Existing Design
It is okay to buy a home that is a fixer-upper. A fixer-upper is usually affordable and can be remodeled to meet your needs.
However, you want to ensure the contractors have put effort into building a proper home.
A bathroom door that swings outward is a sign your home was not built with your convenience and safety in mind.
If the bathroom doors in your new home swing outward, you have to wonder how many other elements have been installed or built incorrectly.
Bathroom Doors Always Swing Inward
By now, you know that bathroom doors always swing inward. This applies to both homes and commercial buildings.
There are many reasons why bathroom doors always swing inward, especially in homes.
It creates a safer, convenient environment because the doors are not blocking the hallway. In addition, bathroom doors that swing inward provide maximum privacy and odor control.
Whether you are remodeling, renovating, or building your home, it is important to ensure all doors always swing inward.
