Family bathroom ideas – 10 ways to create a stylish space for everyone
Getting the design right for a family bathroom can make or break the morning rush and/or bedtime routine. Read on for our top 10 ideas for a successful scheme that will suit all ages
A successful family bathroom design has to work for each and every member of your family – the grown-ups, the kids and even the guests who come to stay. And, as well as considering who uses the bathroom now, it’s also vital that you carefully plan the design thinking about what you might require 10 years down the line in order to future-proof your family bathroom – and avoid a costly remodel!
Whatever your needs now, and in the future, we’ve got you covered. Here are our 10 design must-haves for a family-friendly bathroom, from kid-proof flooring to smart storage ideas.
1. CHOOSE KID-FRIENDLY FLOORING
If you’re on a budget and want ultra-practical flooring, vinyl is a good way to go. It’s affordable, plus it’s a great way to add colour and pattern to your bathroom, with an increasing number of smart tile-look and wood-effect designs on the market to add character and warmth. It’s highly durable, slip-resistant, moisture proof and a doddle to clean, making it ideal for busy households with young families. If you’d prefer to go for tiles, make sure you check the ‘slip rating’ – tiles will be assigned an ‘R’ value. The scale runs from R9, the minimum standard, to R13, the highest slip resistance – R11 and above is a safe bet. Ceramic and porcelain are ultra-practical, hard-wearing, stain-proof and won’t be damaged by chemicals. Go for a large-format design to avoid having to waste hours scrubbing all that grout – plus larger tiles can make a bijou family bathroom feel bigger.
2. SQUEEZE IN A TUB IF YOU CAN
With some clever planning, you may find it’s possible to get the best of both worlds and fit in a bath and a shower in your bathroom design. While the adults may want a super-quick shower to speed up the morning pre-school/pre-work rush, a tub is obviously best for kids’ bathtimes and longer soaks (if your children allow it). If you’re tight on space, look for a compact tub that is shorter than the average 170cm – you’ll find some designs as short as 120cm. If a separate shower just isn’t an option, consider a generous L- or P-shaped shower-bath so that you’ve got more room for showering at one end. Adding a separate handset is also a god-send for those with smaller kids for hair washing at bathtimes. A shower screen that folds right back against the wall is also handy so you’re not having to battle with the glass screen as well as your child when it comes to getting them washed and out of the bath.
3. MAX YOUR STORAGE POTENTIAL
Tall wall-hung units or mirrored cabinets above a vanity are ideal for young families. Not only are they an efficient use of space, they also allow you to store items such as medicines higher up out of children’s reach. Built-in cabinets can really help make the most of every inch, with narrow-depth base units being ideal for stashing toiletries and towels without eating up valuable floor space. A long, slim countertop also offers extra space to display toiletries and prevent you precariously balancing soap bottles on the edge of a small basin that can be knocked over by little hands. Consider a vanity unit with drawers underneath, which can be divvied up, or give each family member their own designated basket for their bathroom bits on a shelf to keep clutter at bay.
4. DOUBLE UP
When you’ve got the whole family bundled in the bathroom, it pays to have a double vanity unit if you’ve got space to make those chaotic weekday mornings that little bit easier. A wall-hung design is a great idea if you’ve got younger children so that you can tuck away step-stools underneath when they’re not in use, plus it’s easy to clean underneath. A pair of shallow-depth mirrored wall cabinets will also provide extra storage over one large mirror.
5. BE SURFACE SMART
Let’s face it, kids love to splash about and steamy mirrors and glass are irresistible for little artists, so think practically about your surface choices. Look for designs with anti-fingerprint technology and self-cleaning glass enclosures and screens to take the hassle out of the cleaning. Ultra washable paint in a higher sheen or specialist bathroom paint will be a better bet than your average emulsion, and maybe think about what materials you’re using within the ‘splash zone’. When it comes to hardware, on-trend gold and brass finishes look stunning, but do bear in mind these are trickier to maintain, especially in hard water areas, and the wrong cleaning products can cause damage – for super-easy maintenance and a timeless look, stick to fail-safe chrome; if you like brass, matt finishes are easier to look after than polished ones.
6. INVEST IN TECH
When buying a shower, look for smart features that allow you to set a fixed limit for your water temperature to offer protection against scalding, eco settings, or even pre-set how long family members spend in the shower, especially with rising household bills. One quick fix is to retrofit aerators to your taps, which can result in water and energy savings of up to 60% a year. Also consider touch-free flushes and sensor taps which are great for both kids and older family members who may struggle operating traditional-style taps and handles.
7. GET YOUR LIGHTING RIGHT
Just like in any room, it’s good to get a balance of practical task lighting and mood lighting for those rare child-free ‘me-time’ moments. You’ll want task lighting around the vanity unit or basin mirror for doing make-up etc, but it’s also worth opting for spots that can be dimmed for evening soaks – some lights may even have a night-light function for when family members need to pay a visit in the early hours.
8. MAKE IT FUN
Just because it’s a practical space, it doesn’t mean it has to look sterile. Take the opportunity to inject colour and experiment with pattern – a simple lick of paint around the woodwork in a bold accent colour or a statement coloured bathtub can make a real impact. Pattern is key; mix up small-scale prints with larger designs such as geometric tiles with a striped blind to help add interest. Also introduce curves and organic shapes to soften the space.
9. ACCESS ALL AREAS
A walk-in shower makes life easier for families with children who might need help showering, as well as those in multigenerational homes with older relatives. If there’s space, consider a simple screen that can be accessed from both sides. Choose a flush-to-floor or low-profile shower tray to make entering and exiting the shower step free, and look at anti-slip designs – if you’re going for a tiled wet-room floor, ensure the tiles have a high anti-slip rating.
10. INSTALL UNDERFLOOR HEATING
There’s nothing better than stepping out of the shower or bathtub onto a warm tile underfoot, especially on chillier mornings (which let’s face it, is pretty much 99% of the year in the UK!). And while fitting UFH will help create a spa-like haven in your home (because who actually has time to head to a spa anymore?), it’s also an energy efficient and low-maintenance heating system, too. Electric solutions are the go-to choice for bathrooms, as they can be laid over any solid subfloor. Always opt for a compatible floor covering on top, such as a porcelain or ceramic tile – check your chosen tile’s suitability with your flooring supplier before installation.