What is the Difference Between Washroom and Bathroom

The main difference between washroom and bathroom is that a washroom is a place where someone can use the toilet and washing facilities, while a bathroom is a place where one can bathe in addition to having washing toilet facilities.

We often use the two words washroom and bathroom interchangeably as they provide similar facilities. But there are slight differences between washrooms and bathrooms.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Washroom 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Bathroom
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Washroom and Bathroom
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Washroom and Bathroom
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bathroom, Toilet, Washroom

Difference Between Washroom and Bathroom - Comparison Summary

What is a Washroom

A washroom refers to a room that provides toilet and washing facilities. Also, more specifically, a washroom refers to a bathroom in a public place like a store, restaurant, or mall. Generally, people use these types of washrooms for washing hands and toilet facilities. Nevertheless, residential lavatory facilities are also known by the term washroom. In general, a washroom consists of a sink and a toilet. In some public places like supermarkets, there are both washrooms and restrooms.

Washroom vs Bathroom

Moreover, washrooms are separated by sex using pictures of women and men. Apart from separate washrooms, there are also unisex washrooms in places like restaurants, bars, and offices. At the same time, there are washrooms for special-needs people too. Also, there are different types of washrooms like private, high capacity, and low capacity. Private washrooms are washrooms in homes. Washrooms in public places like airports, railway stations, and theatres have multiple facilities with high capacity. Washrooms in restaurants and stores are low-capacity washrooms, and they cater to a lesser number of people.

What is a Bathroom

A bathroom is a room where one can bathe. A bathroom consists of a shower, toilet, and sink or basin. Usually, bathrooms are in homes or other residential buildings. The setting of a bathroom is different in different parts of the world. For instance, in India, a bathroom includes a toilet, whereas, in some other countries, the toilet is in a separate room. Some bathrooms contain bathtubs, while some bathrooms do not. A bathtub is not a necessary fitting in a bathroom. In some cases, a bathroom is attached to the bedroom and is only accessible from the room. Nevertheless, in the British context, there are instances where the bathrooms are not attached to the bedroom, and the doors are open to corridors.

Compare Washroom and Bathroom - What's the difference?

Bathrooms have two different categories. They are master bathrooms and full bathrooms. Master bathrooms contain a shower and a bathtub attached to the largest bedroom in the house. The other category is a full bathroom, and it contains fixtures like a sink, a bathtub, a shower, or a bathtub with a separate shower stall. In Canada, the term washroom is used to refer to these types of rooms with the respective fixtures. Apart from these typical fixtures, some bathrooms contain fittings like towel bars, bathroom cabinets, heated towel rails, heaters, and electric shavers.

Similarities Between Washroom and Bathroom

  • Both washrooms and bathrooms have a toilet and a sink.
  • Washrooms and bathrooms are available in residential buildings.
  • Washrooms and bathrooms provide both washing and toilet facilities.

Differences Between Washroom and Bathroom

Definition

A washroom refers to a room that provides toilet and washing facilities, while a bathroom refers to a room where one can have a bath.

Usage

Although bathrooms provide washing, bathing, and toilet facilities, washrooms only provide washing and toilet facilities.

Place

Most of the time, washrooms are in public places like restaurants, railway stations, and airports, whereas bathrooms can be seen in houses or residential buildings.

Fixtures

A washroom consists of a sink and a toilet, whereas a bathroom consists of fixtures like a sink, a toilet, a shower, and a bathtub.

Types

Although washrooms have different types, such as private, high capacity, and low capacity, bathrooms have two different categories such as master bathrooms and full bathrooms.

Division

Washrooms in public places are separated by sex as male and female, whereas bathrooms are not usually divided by sex.

Conclusion

The main difference between washrooms and bathrooms is that washrooms provide washing and toilet facilities, while bathrooms provide bathing facilities apart from both washing and toilet facilities.

Reference:

1. “Bathroom.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Free restroom image” (CC0) via RawPixels
2. “Luxury modern home bathroom interior” (CC0) via Pexels

About the Author: Gerandielle

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