Different Bathroom Names – Washroom vs Bathroom vs Restroom

As with everything in life, there are always two sides to a coin, and duality is part of our life whether we like it or not. The words and language we use are no different—they can communicate meaning and ideas, helping us understand one another. Or they can confuse the hell out of us and leave us wondering. The language we use to describe different types of bathrooms is no exception. I find myself needing to clarify what the client exactly means when they say ‘this or that,’ at least a few times a year. We often use different terms to describe the same thing, or the same term can mean different things.

This short blog is our attempt to bring uniformity and cohesion to the variety of bathrooms, the names used to describe them, and the different types and features those names represent. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and try to make sense of it all.

For many years in the English language, there have been at least a few terms that describe essentially the same thing. To this day, we use three primary terms when describing a bathroom: a restroom, a washroom, and a bathroom. There are some other words, and perhaps in some parts of the English-speaking world they are used, but for the United States and Canada, these are the main three.

What is the Difference Between Restroom, Washroom, and Bathroom?

While they are often used interchangeably, there are some common differences in how people use these terms.

• A restroom is usually a public toilet facility. As the name originally implied, it is a place to take a break, and it dates back to the 1800s. Typically, a restroom will be a two-piece facility with a toilet and a sink. It’s often found in restaurants, professional offices, or government facilities. Some restrooms can be low-occupancy with just one toilet and one sink, while others can be high-occupancy with multiple toilets, sinks, and urinals.
• A washroom is extremely similar to a restroom. The term is more commonly used in Canada and essentially refers to a public place with toilets, sinks, and urinals. You’ll see the term “washrooms” used in places like movie theaters, train stations, airports, shops, malls, or stand-alone public washrooms at a local park.
• A bathroom, on the other hand, most often refers to a private room, typically in a home or condo. Most of the time, it includes a sink, a shower, and a bathtub or shower.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s focus on the most common types of bathrooms, the names they are called, and the meanings behind those names. I do want to preface this by saying that this is by no means an exhaustive list of names, types, or functions of these rooms. A friend of mine just returned from a Colombian jungle, where he used a very different type of restroom with a name I cannot remember or pronounce, which had a deep spiritual meaning. But that’s a story for another blog post altogether.

For simplicity’s sake and to keep this short, we’ve put together this brief list of different types of bathrooms:

A Full Bathroom

This is a bathroom that includes all amenities. In Ottawa, the region of Ontario, Canada where I reside, this type of bathroom is often called a “four-piece bathroom.” This bathroom includes a toilet, a vanity or sink (sometimes a double sink), a separate bathtub (freestanding or drop-in), and a separate shower. You’ll find this type of bathroom in most residential homes and sometimes in high-end hotels.

A Three-Quarter Bathroom

A bathroom that consists of a toilet, vanity/sink, and either a tub, a shower, or a combination of the two. This type of bathroom is often called a “three-piece bathroom.”

A Half Bathroom

Usually a smaller bathroom that includes a toilet and a sink. In Canada, it’s often referred to as a “powder room.” This type of bathroom would never include a shower or tub. It’s often located near the kitchen or living room, making it a convenient bathroom for guests. Sometimes, people have a powder room in the basement if space is limited.

A Quarter Bathroom

Though very uncommon, quarter bathrooms do exist. They consist of just one feature—either a toilet or a sink.

As you can imagine, there are many more terms used to describe the same or slightly different types of bathrooms. Depending on where you live or even which part of the country you’re in, different words might be used to describe one type of bathroom or another. After many years of working in the bathroom renovation industry, we’re still sometimes puzzled and confused by a new term for an age-old concept.

We hope you found this information useful and want to thank you for stopping by and reading this article.

Sincerely,
The iBathrooms Creative Team
Ben W.

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Check out more: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Bathroom Renovation