Planning a Garden Centre Washroom

Planning a Garden Centre Washroom

Garden centres are thriving and with increased footfall and busy tearooms, the washroom undoubtedly needs some careful thought. Here we take a look at some of the things that need consideration when planning a garden centre washroom refurbishment.

Consider the facilities of the centre
First and foremost, you need to consider the facilities your garden centre offers. If you have a considerably large café, you will probably need larger washrooms than if you simply have a small tearoom offering. Do you have a large clientele of young families, or perhaps you've become a regular hangout for mums with babies? Do you have a children’s playground? If so, then you might want to think about a lower set urinal in the men's washroom, as well as low-level toilet pans and sinks. 

Taps
Taps are a particular area to focus on, as some elderly users may have limited dexterity and will appreciate having taps than can be operated by a large lever, or preferably, sensors. Sensor taps come in a wide range of models and can be mounted on the wall or the deck just behind the wash basin. Installing sensor taps also improves hygiene in your washroom significantly as users never need to touch the tap to operate it. With time controlled flow, they also prevent the risk of flooding and wasted water as the tap can never be left on accidentally.

Grab rails, ambulant cubicles and Doc-M
With the aforementioned limited dexterity of some elderly users, you might also want to give thought to grab rails in your washroom and ideally, either an ambulant or full disabled washroom that complies with Document-M (essential in new build garden centres). Ambulant disabled washroom cubicles have an outward opening door and have a little more room than your standard cubicle.

Floor surface
If you have floor tiles with anti-slip properties in your café, or throughout your general garden centre space, then you might choose to carry this on into the washroom for a completely seamless finish. However, in some cases, you might want to choose a non-slip safety floor, which goes down in much the same way as lino. This style of floor covering is incredibly hard wearing and laps up the side of the walls for a few inches which helps aid deep cleans and washdowns. This is the kind of floor covering you’ll find in many commercial washrooms including leisure centres and hospitals.

Soap dispensersValue Plastic Modular Liquid Refillable Soap Dispenser
Don’t overlook the importance of good quality soap dispensers. They need to be installed at a convenient height and very local to the wash basins or wash trough. Allow one soap dispenser for each set of taps, or sensor tap. The traditional push pump soap dispensers are a popular choice, but you can follow that sensor activity through to your soap dispensers too, further improving hygiene in your wash space.

Waste disposal
When planning a washroom from scratch, you’d be surprised how often waste disposal is forgotten, only to be quickly added in at the last minute. This leaves you open to the risk of having to place a cumbersome waste bin somewhere random and awkwardly out of the way. You want a continuous flow for the user in your wash space. One of the best options is to conceal your waste bin within a vanity unit, placing a countersunk waste chute directly above it. Alternatively, consider leaving a dedicated space at the end of your wash basins or wash trough to prevent having to site your bin last minute in an unnatural position. 

Lighting
Sensor activated lighting is a strong choice in any commercial washroom. Not only do they increase usability, meaning users don’t need to fumble for the light switch, but they bring with them a huge energy saving too. These light switches are activated only when someone is in the room, meaning the lights are only on when someone’s home.

Cubicles and wall-cladding
When choosing the material for you cubicles, be sure to bear in mind the level of durability you need. Solid grade laminate (SGL) is perhaps the most versatile option as it's available in fully customisable dimensions and is completely impervious to water – so no unwanted delamination will be brought on from ingress moisture. You might also want to give thought to continuing the same material as wall cladding in your washroom. This means you get a seamless, continuous finish and also plays into easy-cleaning. SGL wall cladding is easy to sanitise and can be wiped down very easily.

Baby changing
There are a number of different baby changing options available to you, but adding them to your facilities is a must for garden centres. Fold down changing trays are a common choice and are often cited in a disabled washroom, on the wall above the toilet. However, when space allows, solid surface baby changing units are also a great option and can be made with a waste chute integral to its design, meaning dirty nappies can be disposed of easily and quickly into a concealed bin - which also traps bad smells. It’s important to remember that baby changing facilities should be in a unisex environment or be featured in both the male and female washroom.

Ventilation
Never underestimate the importance of air-flow and ventilation. Good ventilation can reduce mould, mildew and bacteria growth and generally helps bad smells to dissipate. Plan ahead to incorporate ceiling vents and ensure windows are fitted with a catch so they can be left ajar safetly. If you'd like further advice on ventilation in your washroom, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help you work out your available options.

If you’d like more information regarding garden centre washrooms, or to take advantage of our custom design service, please get in touch on 01202 650900.

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