8 Ways to Make a Shared Bathroom Work
A bathroom for two? Give yourselves enough elbow room to live side by side even in a small space
Verlaine Marquez
31 December 2016
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five years, and now a full-time freelance writer for various online and print publications for the past decade and counting. Part-time crafter, wannabe gardener, and breast cancer thriver.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five... More
In a perfect world, everyone gets to have their own bathroom at home, and can take as long as they want in the shower without any disruption. But alas, not all of us have that kind of luxury. Most modern homes with limited floor areas have only one or two bathrooms, which means it is inevitable that you’ll have to share it with someone else in your family.
Sharing a bathroom, whether with your spouse, sibling or children, can be a tricky situation, especially in the mornings when everyone is rushing for work or school. But co-existing in a single bathroom doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Here are some ways you can make sharing a bathroom easier.
Sharing a bathroom, whether with your spouse, sibling or children, can be a tricky situation, especially in the mornings when everyone is rushing for work or school. But co-existing in a single bathroom doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Here are some ways you can make sharing a bathroom easier.
1. Install two sinks
If your space can afford it, having two sinks allows two users to get ready simultaneously, which is particularly helpful during the weekday morning rush. Alternatively, a long basin with two separate faucets offers the same convenience. It can also provide easier upkeep because it has a single drain.
If your space can afford it, having two sinks allows two users to get ready simultaneously, which is particularly helpful during the weekday morning rush. Alternatively, a long basin with two separate faucets offers the same convenience. It can also provide easier upkeep because it has a single drain.
2. Use a wide vanity
Provide enough space for a “dry area” in your vanity. This way, you can go about blow-drying and straightening your hair or your other beauty routine while your partner or another family member uses the sink area. Make sure to place a mirror as wide as your vanity – or stretch it even further across the wall – so you’ll not be jostling with each other for a peek at the mirror.
Provide enough space for a “dry area” in your vanity. This way, you can go about blow-drying and straightening your hair or your other beauty routine while your partner or another family member uses the sink area. Make sure to place a mirror as wide as your vanity – or stretch it even further across the wall – so you’ll not be jostling with each other for a peek at the mirror.
3. Close off the toilet
Let’s face it, we each need time and privacy to do our personal bathroom “business”. Adding a wall and a door between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom can make way for multitasking while maintaining privacy. Use a pocket sliding door to save space.
Let’s face it, we each need time and privacy to do our personal bathroom “business”. Adding a wall and a door between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom can make way for multitasking while maintaining privacy. Use a pocket sliding door to save space.
4. Sort it out
A common concern in shared bathrooms is storage for everyone’s personal items. The solution: Give each person a drawer of their own under the vanity. Otherwise, place individual caddies or baskets under the sink so each person can be responsible for stowing their stuff. This way, you have clutter-free countertops and more elbow room around the sink.
A common concern in shared bathrooms is storage for everyone’s personal items. The solution: Give each person a drawer of their own under the vanity. Otherwise, place individual caddies or baskets under the sink so each person can be responsible for stowing their stuff. This way, you have clutter-free countertops and more elbow room around the sink.
5. Designate a central wall storage
Shared bathrooms would benefit from having a big wall mirror that also acts as a cabinet. It can hold small toiletries like toothbrushes, floss, cotton tips, lotions, and other daily necessities. Organise things by keeping like with like, and use acrylic display boxes to maximise shelf space.
Shared bathrooms would benefit from having a big wall mirror that also acts as a cabinet. It can hold small toiletries like toothbrushes, floss, cotton tips, lotions, and other daily necessities. Organise things by keeping like with like, and use acrylic display boxes to maximise shelf space.
6. Do away with the towel bar
If children are sharing the bathroom with adults, make allowances for smaller kids. Instead of installing a towel bar, opt for hooks placed at different heights so it will be easier for the kids to hang their towels by themselves. Using monogrammed hooks can add a whimsical touch to the space, not to mention help prevent confusion.
If children are sharing the bathroom with adults, make allowances for smaller kids. Instead of installing a towel bar, opt for hooks placed at different heights so it will be easier for the kids to hang their towels by themselves. Using monogrammed hooks can add a whimsical touch to the space, not to mention help prevent confusion.
7. Have a slide-out step
A step-stool is another must-have for a child-friendly bathroom. And while you can always purchase one for your space, why not take it a notch higher on the convenience scale by having one built into your vanity? It can save on precious floor area. The best thing is it can be transformed into an additional drawer when your kids don’t need it anymore.
A step-stool is another must-have for a child-friendly bathroom. And while you can always purchase one for your space, why not take it a notch higher on the convenience scale by having one built into your vanity? It can save on precious floor area. The best thing is it can be transformed into an additional drawer when your kids don’t need it anymore.
8. Make it bright and airy
Shared bathrooms are often limited in floor area, but they shouldn’t lack in style and ambience. Keep overall colours neutral, but don’t be afraid to add pops of colour through vibrant accents. To create depth and visual interest, use colourful tiles for the backsplash, paint the insides of the cabinets and drawers in an eye-catching hue, or choose colour-coodinated bath accessories. Giving your bathroom a polished look encourages cleanliness and order.
TELL US
How do you make bathroom sharing easier?
MORE
9 Ideas to Turn Your Small Bathroom Into Something Special
Bathe With a Clear Conscience With Water-Saving Innovations
My Houzz: A Historic Apartment Becomes the Perfect Sharing Ground
Shared bathrooms are often limited in floor area, but they shouldn’t lack in style and ambience. Keep overall colours neutral, but don’t be afraid to add pops of colour through vibrant accents. To create depth and visual interest, use colourful tiles for the backsplash, paint the insides of the cabinets and drawers in an eye-catching hue, or choose colour-coodinated bath accessories. Giving your bathroom a polished look encourages cleanliness and order.
TELL US
How do you make bathroom sharing easier?
MORE
9 Ideas to Turn Your Small Bathroom Into Something Special
Bathe With a Clear Conscience With Water-Saving Innovations
My Houzz: A Historic Apartment Becomes the Perfect Sharing Ground
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Living in a share house, these bathroom ideas would be a life saver in the early morning peak rush. Especially the two vanities and the closed off toilet!
My other half has a habit of putting the cosmetics I mainly buy for decorative effect away, and leaving his black, blue, chipped products out? Help!
Completely agree with the #3...Separating the shower and toilet would save a lot of time in my house.