Outside the United States, you might see a bathroom designated as a “WC.”
The abbreviation stands for “water closet,” a 16th-century concept making a comeback in contemporary construction.
The enclosed space separates bathroom fixtures, offering an attractive feature for homeowners who desire privacy and practicality.
Credit:Paul Dyer
So what exactly is a water closet, and how is it different from a bathroom?
What Is a Water Closet?
A water closet is a small room within a bathroom that houses the toilet and sometimes the sink.
Credit:Emily Minton-Redfield
by a wall or hallway.
Awater closetis a small room or enclosure with a toilet.
Water closets are typically located within a bathroom and separated from the sink, tub, and shower.
Credit:Emily Followill
Why Is It Called a Water Closet?
When the water closet was invented, it was called the “wash-down closet.”
Over time, the name was shortened to “water closet.”
Credit: Emily Followill
The meaning eventually got lost as water closets and bathrooms were merged in modern home construction to save space.
Because of this, the two terms are commonly used interchangeably but still aren’t quite the same thing.
Is a Water Closet the Same as a Half-Bath?
Credit:Kim Cornelison; Interior design: Tish Key
Privacy
A water closet is a huge privacy bonus for avid hosts or those with large families.
Having discrete spaces facilitates increased comfort for those in need of the loo.
A water closet affords a much more efficient use of the bathroom space.
Other practical details, such as a water-efficient toilet, should also be factored intoyour project budget.
Remember, any major changes to your plumbing will need to meet building codes and regulations.
Check with local authorities and home contracting experts in your area before breaking ground on your water closet.
It might be small, but it’s capable of making an outsize design statement.
Don’t just settle for painting the walls the same color as the rest of the bathroom.
Instead, try abold, saturated colorthat complements the rest of the walls in the space.
A water closet is also a good spot for awallpaperyou love.
“A Brief History of The Flush Toilet.
“The British Association of Urological Surgeons.
Roller, Zoe et al.
“Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States: A National Action Plan.”
2019, Dig Deep and US Water Alliance, pp.
Goforth, Madison et al.
“American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), vol.
2, 2024, AJIC.
