Bathroom Ventilation

Most local building codes require that the bathroom be ventilated, and for good reason - poor ventilation allows humid air to condense in the walls, where it can cause extensive structural rot in a short amount of time. For good ventilation you need an exhaust fan that's powerful enough to completely replace the air in the room at least eight times an hour.

Every fan has a CFM rating, which tells you how many cubic feet of air you can move in a minute. To determine what CFM rating your fan should have, multiply the total cubic footage of the room by 8 and then divide by 60. The smallest fans on the market move about 60 cubic feet of air per minute, enough to clear moisture from a 5-by-8 foot bathroom. For bathrooms larger than 100 square feet, one needs a ventilation rate based on the number and type of fixtures present. Toilets, showers and tubs require 50 CFM each; a whirpool tub requires 100.



Your fan should be controlled by a timer switch or, even better, a humid-instant switch that operates the fan when the humidity levels in the room require it. This will keep the fan on even after you've left the bath without you having to remember to turn it off.


Mirrors

Mirrors add a sense of spaciousness to a bathroom as well as help you get ready for your day. Many design options are available, from flat, frameless panels to mirrors framed in beautiful wood or colorful acrylic to mirrored medicine cabinets. To break up a large expanse, you can float task lights (like sconces) in a mirror: The effect is magical and it puts your lighting right where you need it.