Water closets are becoming increasingly popular in American homes, but many are still unclear on what the term means. According to Mirriam Webster’s Dictionary, a water closet is technically ¡°a compartment or room with a toilet.¡± In the United Kingdom, however, the term ¡°water closet¡± refers to the toilet itself, which causes some confusion. Mystifying the matter even further is the fact that the term has a whole new definition when it comes to modern real estate. Here we’ll explore the history of the water closet and explain how the term is used today.
When I first heard ¡°water closet¡± in a real estate listing, I pictured a tiny room with just a toilet, and I wasn’t entirely wrong¡ªbut there’s more to it. The term’s evolution reflects changes in how we design and use bathrooms. In the U.S., real estate agents often highlight water closets as a luxury feature, especially in high-end homes. For context, a 2023 survey by the National Association of Realtors noted that 68% of homebuyers looking at properties over $500,000 prioritized en-suite bathrooms with features like water closets. This shows how the term has become a selling point. If you’re house-hunting, knowing what a water closet is can help you understand the layout and privacy perks of a home’s bathroom setup.
Water Closets Date Back to the 1800s
Prior to the 19th century in America, only the wealthy had toilets inside their homes, with the majority of the population relieving themselves in outhouses or outdoors. Homes may still have had ¡°bathrooms,¡± but these spaces were for bathing and didn’t actually have a toilet. By 1890, it became more common to have toilets inside the home, in rooms known as water closets. It was only in the 20th century that it became common for home builders and designers to merge bathrooms and water closets into the same space.
I’ve always found it fascinating how something as basic as a toilet was once a status symbol! The shift to indoor plumbing was a game-changer, driven by advancements in sanitation technology. For example, the flush valve toilet, patented by Thomas Crapper in the late 1800s (yes, that’s where the term ¡°crap¡± comes from), made indoor toilets more practical. If you’re considering a historic home, you might still find remnants of these early water closets¡ªoften tiny, tiled rooms tucked away in a corner. Retrofitting one into a modern bathroom can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on plumbing and space constraints, but it’s a worthwhile investment for privacy and resale value.
What Is a Water Closet in the Modern Day?
While in terms of saving space, it may have been beneficial to put bathtubs and toilets in the same room, it did inevitably mean a decline in privacy. That’s why modern-day designers have reintroduced the idea of separating the toilet from the rest of the bathroom. In modern real estate parlance, the term ¡°water closet¡± has received a whole new definition. Today, the term largely refers to a small, closed room containing a toilet that’s situated within a larger bathroom. This space may or may not also have a small sink for washing up. These rooms typically have sliding pocket doors as a space-saving mechanism.
I’ve seen water closets in newer homes, and they’re a game-changer for shared bathrooms. The sliding pocket door is a genius touch¡ªmy friend’s house has one, and it blends so seamlessly into the wall that you barely notice it. From a design perspective, water closets also allow for better ventilation control. A small exhaust fan in the enclosed space can reduce odors and moisture more effectively than in an open bathroom. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, adding a water closet might increase your project cost by about 10-20%, but it’s a feature that can make your home stand out. Just make sure your contractor checks local building codes, as some areas have specific requirements for ventilation and door swing clearance.
Water Closets Add Privacy to a Shared Bathroom
The main benefit of a water closet is privacy. They’re most commonly found in primary suites and other shared bathrooms where they allow residents to use the toilet in privacy while someone else brushes their teeth, takes a shower, or blow dries their hair. The other significant advantage of water closets is hygiene. By housing the toilet in an enclosed space, they prevent particles and microbes from spreading when the toilet is flushed. On top of these practical perks, water closets also serve to hide the toilet, making the rest of the space more aesthetically pleasing. These factors have led water closets to become one of the most desirable features in a master bathroom, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Privacy is a huge deal in busy households¡ªtrust me, I’ve shared a bathroom with roommates before! The hygiene angle is also a big plus. Studies, like one from the University of Colorado in 2020, show that toilet flushing can aerosolize particles up to 3 feet away, so enclosing the toilet really helps keep things cleaner. If you’re thinking about adding a water closet, consider a model with a bidet feature for extra comfort and hygiene¡ªit’s a trend that’s catching on fast. Aesthetically, hiding the toilet behind a sleek door or partition makes the bathroom feel more like a spa. The NAHB’s 2024 report backs this up, listing water closets among the top five bathroom features buyers want in luxury homes.
Not All Bathrooms Have Enough Space for a Water ClosetWhile this style of bathroom is popular in parts of Europe and Asia, in the U.S. it’s still largely relegated to new, luxury homes. One of the primary reasons that homeowners don’t add a water closet to their primary bathroom is a lack of space. Most building codes dictate that a water closet must have a minimum space of 30 by 60 inches, though they recommend 36 by 66 inches for a more comfortable user experience. In lieu of creating a fully closed water closet, some designers may opt for a space-saving variation like a partition or half-wall. These designs offer some level of additional privacy but don’t require as much space as a fully enclosed room.
Space is always the kicker, isn’t it? I toured a home last year with a half-wall water closet, and while it didn’t offer total privacy, it still felt like an upgrade from a wide-open bathroom. If you’re tight on space, a frosted glass partition can be a stylish compromise¡ªmy cousin used one in her condo remodel, and it cost about $2,000 less than a full enclosure. For those on a budget, DIY half-walls using moisture-resistant drywall can run as low as $500, though you’ll need to factor in labor if you’re not handy. Check your local codes, though¡ªsome municipalities require a minimum clearance around the toilet, and ignoring this could mean costly fixes later.