Looking to design a family-friendly bathroom for your home?
In this article, we’ll discuss our tips and tricks for designing a family-friendly bathroom and how our experienced team at Builders Discount Warehouse can help.
Tips & Tricks for Designing a Family-Friendly Bathroom
There are several things you can do to ensure your bathroom is family friendly without compromising on design or functionality. Here we’ll go through some of the best things to incorporate into your new bathroom.
Choose Maintenance Friendly Options
Anyone can be messy, but children are generally more prone to creating chaos. For that reason we suggest choosing low maintenance or maintenance free options.
Have Plenty of Storage
Sure, everyone has things they need to store in a bathroom like toothbrushes and toothpaste, medicines and the like. Children come with the added extras like bathtub toys, non-slip mats and step stools.
Consider Open Shelving
If you’re certain your children can keep things clean and tidy, you may want to consider having open shelving. This could help your little ones locate things more easily than if what they’re looking for is stuck at the back of a drawer.
Include Soft Close Features
The last thing you want is to install a brand new bathroom in your home only for everything to be destroyed when children struggle to open or close cabinets and they slam.
For this reason, we recommend including soft close features, which are more friendly for little hands.
Store Inappropriate Items Elsewhere
If there are some items you don’t want your young children to access (e.g. razors and razor blades, medication, hair dye and so on), you should either store them elsewhere or have “adult-accessible” storage installed at a higher level.
Choose Integrated Hampers
Sick of asking your child to bring their dirty washing to the laundry after their bath? With a laundry basket integrated into your cabinetry or vanity, you don’t have to worry about that.
Incorporate Accessible Lighting
While children do eventually grow up, you want them to be as independent as possible, especially when it comes to things like turning lights on and off. As such, you should consider where you place your light switches.
Select Appropriate Tapware
You should make sure that when choosing tapware, you do so with your children in mind. For instance, you might want to select tapware that prevents scalds, like this model.
Another thing you might consider is ensuring your child can turn the tapware on and off (or not, if that is your preference). And you could even install a handheld shower hose to make washing off easy.
Install Double Sinks
If you want to reduce fighting between siblings who are trying to get ready for school, you may want to consider installing a double sink. And if space permits, separate sinks may be an option.
Opt for a Back to Wall Tub
While some families are comfortable with only having a shower in their bathroom, others are determined to have a bath. To save as much space as possible, choose a back-to-wall or back-to-corner tub.
This works especially well in smaller bathrooms if room to move is at a premium. You can find out more about how to design a small bathroom here.
Choose an Adaptable Layout & Aesthetic
Eventually children grow up, and there’s no reason you should have to compromise on the design features you love just because it needs to be family-friendly.
We recommend opting for a palette and layout that is adaptable as your family grows and changes. While a fun shower curtain might be your preference in your child’s younger years, it should be easy to change out.
The same is true of your base colour palette. You want something that everyone will love for years to come, or can be easily changed without hassle or further renovation down the track.
Install a Bench in Your Shower
Installing a bench in your shower is a great way to make the space feel luxurious while also catering to the younger members of your household. Your children may use it to play while they’re in the shower (or for an accessible place to put their shampoo and body wash), and you can also use it to shave your legs or simply relax
Use Robe Hooks
Are you worried your child – or future children – won’t be able to manage a towel rail once they’ve finished getting ready for bed or school? Why not try a robe hook?
Have Non Slip Flooring
It’s important you eliminate as many hazards as possible no matter how old you are, so making sure you have non-slip flooring that has been certified for use in bathrooms and wetrooms is crucial.
Consider a Double Shower
One trend that is becoming more and more popular for families with young children is the installation of a double shower. The concept, it is thought, is pretty much the same as letting your child share a bath with a sibling.
The advantage, however, is that you and your child may be able to shower together. This could certainly speed things up in the morning when you’re trying to get everyone out the door.
How Builders Discount Warehouse Can Help
Want to make the process of designing a family-friendly bathroom easy?
At Builders Discount Warehouse, we have a range of bathroom fixtures and accessories you might like to include in your own home. Our qualified, experienced team members are some of the best in the business and can help make your renovation as smooth as possible.
Need help designing the perfect family-friendly bathroom? Contact the experienced team at Builders Discount Warehouse today.
