A bathroom is a bathroom, right? You can design it any way you want, regardless of who uses it. Except when you have a family, there actually are some things you’ll want to consider when you’re redesigning a bathroom. Some planning before the remodel can save you and your family extra work plus a potential premature remodel again in a few years. A well-thought family bathroom design will also make it appealing for everyone.
To that end, here’s what you’ll need to know to create a bathroom that everyone will enjoy!
You May Not Want to Tear Out the Tub
Right now, tiled showers are a big trend to the point that lots of people are tearing out their tubs to replace them with a shower. This can be a great choice for people who hardly ever take baths — but for other families, a bathtub can become an invaluable asset.
For example, if you’re planning kids, a tub will be essential so that you can bathe toddlers. If you don’t have a family dog yet, remember that the bathtub will be the most convenient spot to give your pet a bath.
Storage Galore
When multiple people are sharing a bathroom, you’ll need to make sure that there is plenty of storage so that you’ve got a spot not only for the essentials, but also so that everyone else can also have space to store their own things, such as makeup and hairstyling tools.
This means not only making use of the usual spaces — the medicine cabinet, the vanity and so on — but also creating new spaces. Consider designing your own custom storage solutions made to fit your bathroom’s unique dimensions. For example, if you have a toilet stall, you can easily hang shelving above the toilet spanning one wall to the other and then use that space to keep essentials organized in baskets.
Keep it Simple and Easy to Clean
Nothing says you can’t have an elevated, super-stylish look, but be careful to avoid elements that will prove tough to clean in a busy bathroom. Bright chrome finishes, for example, will accumulate lots of fingerprints that will be less noticeable on brushed steel. Tons of tiny mosaic tiles or highly textured wall surfaces could mean lots of time spent scrubbing grout or accumulated grime.
Color Schemes for Family Bathrooms
This will be another thing to think about when you’re coming up with family bathroom ideas. There’s a lot of flexibility here, too. Don’t be afraid to create something bold and fun, but keep in mind that young kids grow up quick. For example, rather than opting for rubber ducky wallpaper to make the bathroom a fun space for a toddler, instead go with a shower curtain featuring favorite characters so that you can swap it out for something they like even better in a few years.
One big consideration in terms of color is how much light is available in your bathroom. If you have natural lighting from a bright window plus plenty of bright light fixtures, it’ll be easier to use dark colors without making the space feel too dark. However, in smaller bathrooms, those without windows and those with fewer light fixtures, you may want to keep the walls light. That will increase reflectivity, which will keep the bathroom brighter.
These are some of the biggest things to think about when you’re creating a family-friendly bathroom. The idea is to make it as inclusive as possible for people of all ages, and to make it easy on yourself, too, so that you don’t spend excessive amounts of time cleaning or making new upgrades sooner than you’d like. For help finding a great selection of fixtures to upgrade your bathroom — including family-friendly options for your bathroom vanity — be sure to shop our selection!