Putting together your children’s room is a mostly exciting but occasionally confusing task. How do you bring the right blend of youthful energy and safety into one space? Is it possible to design it in such a way that they can grow up there?
As an excited parent, questions are sure to abound on how to make it perfect. Then comes designing the bathroom, and suddenly more safety concerns crop up. Before you get overwhelmed, we’ve prepared some foolproof tips to create a bathroom that your kids will love to use.
The Essential Features
There are no strict rules for what a shared kids’ bathroom should look like. However, certain factors will make it safer for your children to use and simpler to transition into a more “grownup” space as they get older.
Double Vanities
Since more than one of your kids will be using the same bathroom regularly, there will inevitably be some conflicts over who gets to use the bathroom first. The simple solution? Set up double bathroom vanity areas.
With two vanities, two kids can wash their hands and brush their teeth at the same time. That means less time getting ready and no more quarreling!
Lots of Low Storage
Your kids are most likely not tall enough to safely reach high cabinets. Make it easy for them to grab what they need by using low storage, such as below-the-sink drawers and organizers.
Pro-tip: You may want to use detachable storage instead of built-in cabinets for quicker adjustment when they grow up.
Pops of Color
Since you’re envisioning this bathroom to be something they can use until they’re older, overkill decorations are a no-no. Instead, introduce fun bits of color to liven it up. Use bright fixtures, accent walls, and small decor to make it a brighter space.
Step Stools
Small kids and normal-sized sinks are not the best matches. Since low sinks are not ideal for a home bathroom, give your kids better access by having step stools.
The great part about step stools is that there are many designs in the market. When you shop for one, choose a stool that matches the theme of your kids’ bathroom.
Making It Safe
It isn’t enough to make your bathroom pretty and colorful. As parents, you also need to keep in mind their safety whenever they use it. These are small but helpful ways to protect your children in the washroom.
Use a non-slip bath mat.
We all know that kids love jumping and running around the house. The bathroom is no exception to that. You can prevent many accidents by using non-slip mats in areas that get wet often, such as the sink and shower.
Anti-slip flooring and non-slip strips on shower or bathtub floors are mighty helpful to keep kids from slipping. Still, instruct them not to run in the bathroom and supervise them when you can.
Limit sharp edges.
Standard designs usually use clean lines and defined edges for bathroom fixtures. But with kids, these are not the safest option. Remove sharp edges from your bathroom layout by using rounded equipment and decorations.
These get rid of worries about injuries that could result in trips to the doctor to get stitches or crutches. For extra safety, you may also install cushions in your shower/bathtub faucets.
Cover bathroom outlets.
Having outlets in the bathroom is extremely useful, but at the same time, they are a safety hazard for small, curious children. Keep them away from these areas using childproof outlet caps.
If there are electrical appliances, pack them in storage that kids won’t easily reach. Better yet, don’t leave any appliance in the kids’ bathroom at all.
Use showers instead of bathtubs.
Bathtubs are enjoyable for kids to swim and play with their bath toys in, but only under parental supervision. To stay on the safe side, install a shower instead of a bathtub in the kids’ washroom. Why? Childproofing a shower is simpler than childproofing a bathtub.
Make it easier for the kids to bathe by including a bath stool and low, detachable organizers for toiletries. A scald guard also makes sure they don’t hurt themselves while adjusting water temperatures.
The key to building a bathroom that your kids will like is to consult them throughout the process and give them clear instructions on the dos and don’ts of taking care of it. Finally, leave room for new things to be added to the bathroom. That is, while it’s bittersweet for any parent, don’t build in kiddie features they’ll eventually outgrow!
