Sharing a bathroom with kids can test anyone’s patience. They are extremely disorganized and messy, to say the least. This is why a kid’s bathroom should be designed for accessibility and fun. If you’re thinking of remodelling your child’s bathroom, this is a golden opportunity to install features that work for them and their needs. Keep the bathroom practical and safe for kids, but don’t forget that children grow up. Make it flexible enough to accommodate different ages and stages in life. Read this post to find out how to make your bathroom kid friendly.
Consider the Following Features for a Kid-Friendly Bathroom
1. Make it Accessible
Little children are independent creatures who love doing things on their own. Given a chance, they will be much more enthusiastic about daily tasks like bathing and brushing their teeth if they can reach the things they need without help. If you have a large space at your disposal, install countertops at variable heights. This way children of all ages can use the space at the same time. Have one installed at 32” height for little children and another at 36” for the bigger ones. Also, ensure that each countertop has its own sink as this will speed up the morning routine. However, if you are dealing with a relatively small bathroom, consider going with a simple and sturdy step stool to help them reach.
2. Pick a “Childproof” Countertop Material
Granite countertops are a great choice for bathrooms, but they are not scratch or stain resistant. Children cannot be expected to be as careful as adults and you will obviously not want to deal with the stress of your kids spilling something on the surface or scratching it. That is why it’s a better idea to install quartz countertops that are both stain and scratch resistant. If need be, the surface can be made to mimic the look of granite.
3. Plenty of Space for Storage
Children have a lot of stuff, and their bathroom essentials can easily take over the countertop and tub. That is why you should consider building a bathroom with a lot of storage space. Choose deep, oversized tub niches for their shampoo bottles and toys. If there is extra space available, you can also have a decorative toy box installed for storing towels. A custom cabinet can help hide more clutter than open shelving. Remember, if you want your bathroom to look clean, there needs to be a place for everything.
4. Get Rid of the Tower Bar
When designing a bathroom for the kids, opt for hooks instead of towel bars. That way kids can hang their clothes and towels themselves, provided they aren’t too high, and you don’t have to worry about constantly adjusting or re-folding their laundry.
5. Mount Whimsical Lighting
If your kid’s bathroom is also used as a guest or hall bathroom, you will probably want the space to look presentable to adults, too. A great way to make the space fun without going overboard is with funky lighting. These lights can provide a super fun element for children while looking stylish to adults who use the bathroom.
6. Plan the Plumbing
Look for a plumber to install bathroom fixtures that are child friendly. For instance, installing an under-mount sink can minimize the constant pools of water left behind on the countertop. A handheld shower is the perfect combination of fun and practicality, especially when kids are shampooing their hair. It is convenient and keeps water and soap away from their eyes.
7. Fit a Standard-Height Toilet
Although it probably seems like a good idea to have a child-sized toilet installed in their bathroom, it is not practical. Children grow up so they will grow out of a child-sized toilet, and grown-ups won’t be able to use it. However, installing a toilet that is too tall for them isn’t a good idea either. The best thing to do is to have a standard-sized toilet fitted within the space and ensure both children and adults can use it comfortably with the aid of stools and kid-sized toilet seats.
8. Protect Them from Hot Water
To make sure your children don’t burn themselves while washing their hands or bathing, you should install anti-scald devices on the showerheads and faucets. These control water temperature by limiting the amount of hot water that flows through.
9. Have Easy-Clean and Non-Slip Surfaces
Before purchasing any surface material like flooring, check to see if it becomes slippery when wet. Porcelain is a good choice as it is extremely durable and comes in textures that make it easy to grip. The best option is to have larger tiles installed in kids’ bathrooms as this will result in fewer grout lines to clean.
10. Add Personality with Accessories and Paint
Use colours and accessories to express your kid’s personality. Get tiles and bathroom cabinetry in neutral colours and use a saturated colour palette for towels, paint and other accessories. Using paint is an economical and fun way to jazz up the space. It is also easy to change.
Hopefully, this blog post come in handy when designing your kid’s bathroom. One of the most crucial things to keep in mind when designing the space is to keep it accessible and fun. With these tips, you can create a bathroom for the smallest members of your family to reflect their personality and style while making it safe and fun for them to use.