Bathroom Planning: 10 Ways to Design a Practical Family Bathroom
Make your bathroom work for every member of the family with these smart solutions
In an ideal world, we’d have an en suite bathroom for the grown-ups, a separate bathroom for the children and perhaps a cloakroom or two dotted around the house. The reality for most of us, however, is one bathroom that serves the needs of the everyone, all day and all year round. But there are ways to happily co-exist in comfort. Whether yours is a pint-sized or palatial space, by carefully considering your square footage, a few canny storage ideas and a bespoke colour palette, a stylish family bathroom can be yours for the taking.
Lock away your medicines
Every family bathroom needs a sturdy, lockable medicine cabinet where lotions, potions and medical kit can be securely stashed without the fear of little fingers prying. This slim, fold-up version is also surprisingly spacious.
Every family bathroom needs a sturdy, lockable medicine cabinet where lotions, potions and medical kit can be securely stashed without the fear of little fingers prying. This slim, fold-up version is also surprisingly spacious.
Turn up the heat
A heated rail will ensure a stack of warm towels day after day – a luxurious touch for all the family. Add a wall of mirrored cabinets to ensure there’s enough ‘me’ space for everyone to get ready.
Boost your bathroom ideas by browsing more photos
A heated rail will ensure a stack of warm towels day after day – a luxurious touch for all the family. Add a wall of mirrored cabinets to ensure there’s enough ‘me’ space for everyone to get ready.
Boost your bathroom ideas by browsing more photos
Research your bath
If you have young children, a double-ended bath with a central tap fixture is key. This way, you can comfortably bathe two children at the same time (and hopefully get them into bed earlier). And don’t be afraid to use unexpected flashes of colour in the family bathroom: this citrus yellow ceiling will inject a spirited all-over glow, whatever the time of year.
If you have young children, a double-ended bath with a central tap fixture is key. This way, you can comfortably bathe two children at the same time (and hopefully get them into bed earlier). And don’t be afraid to use unexpected flashes of colour in the family bathroom: this citrus yellow ceiling will inject a spirited all-over glow, whatever the time of year.
Squeeze in a shower and bath
It’s still handy to have the option of a separate shower and bath. You may think that there isn’t enough space but with a little clever planning and special shorter-than-standard baths, you could have both. To enhance the light and airy ambience, stick to a pale and neutral colour palette and use frosted window glass instead of blinds. Less fuss equals more space.
It’s still handy to have the option of a separate shower and bath. You may think that there isn’t enough space but with a little clever planning and special shorter-than-standard baths, you could have both. To enhance the light and airy ambience, stick to a pale and neutral colour palette and use frosted window glass instead of blinds. Less fuss equals more space.
Streamline your storage
If you have a beautifully, minimal scheme the last thing you want is a plethora of bottles and tubes messing up the sleek lines (and with a family you’re bound to collect many). The answer is simple: build in as many cupboards and units as possible and, voila, you’ll soon have a place for absolutely everything.
How to blitz the bathroom cupboard
If you have a beautifully, minimal scheme the last thing you want is a plethora of bottles and tubes messing up the sleek lines (and with a family you’re bound to collect many). The answer is simple: build in as many cupboards and units as possible and, voila, you’ll soon have a place for absolutely everything.
How to blitz the bathroom cupboard
Plump for daring colour and print
Just because you’ve got children doesn’t mean your style barometer has to plummet to zero. This all-over, dramatic charcoal paintwork is simple yet utterly striking, while the twin shower is transformed thanks to the pretty, patterned tiling. Add a sparkling chandelier into the mix and every member of the family will feel spoilt.
Ways to rev up your style in a small bathroom
Just because you’ve got children doesn’t mean your style barometer has to plummet to zero. This all-over, dramatic charcoal paintwork is simple yet utterly striking, while the twin shower is transformed thanks to the pretty, patterned tiling. Add a sparkling chandelier into the mix and every member of the family will feel spoilt.
Ways to rev up your style in a small bathroom
Hang it all up
Replace a space-eating, close-coupled toilet and a pedestal basin, with slick, wall-hung versions. Not only will these take up much less wall room, they make life much easier where cleaning is concerned (a real boon for family bathrooms).
Replace a space-eating, close-coupled toilet and a pedestal basin, with slick, wall-hung versions. Not only will these take up much less wall room, they make life much easier where cleaning is concerned (a real boon for family bathrooms).
Replace the bath altogether
For households with grown-up children, consider doing away with the bath and replacing with a walk-in, wet room. A wall-hung vanity unit with built-in storage will also maximise every last inch of space.
For households with grown-up children, consider doing away with the bath and replacing with a walk-in, wet room. A wall-hung vanity unit with built-in storage will also maximise every last inch of space.
Go for an imperfect look
You might not think white would be the best colour choice for the family bathroom for fear of sticky fingerprints and mucky feet ruining the look. The key, however, is to use slightly distressed, rustic finishes which improve with age and don’t need to be pristine and gleaming white 365 days a year.
What are your top tips for making the best family bathroom? Please share in the comments section below.
You might not think white would be the best colour choice for the family bathroom for fear of sticky fingerprints and mucky feet ruining the look. The key, however, is to use slightly distressed, rustic finishes which improve with age and don’t need to be pristine and gleaming white 365 days a year.
What are your top tips for making the best family bathroom? Please share in the comments section below.
A double or twin basin is a really smart idea if you have a large family. If you haven’t got the room for two separate basins, why not choose a large basin but with two sets of taps. Slim, wall-hung storage is also a real boon if space is at a premium.
Which basin is right for you?