Ideas for bathrooms kids can grow into

11 years ago

If you saw my other thread, you'll know I'm looking at doing a total overhaul of the bathroom that my children share. They are young now but we intend to be in this house through the teenage years. So for those of you with older kids, I'd love to pick your brains!

What kind of things do you think a teenage son and daughter will want in a shared bathroom? How can I plan for the future? I am pondering putting in a private shower and tub room with a door to separate it from the double vanity. Do you think that's the best idea?

I welcome any and all ideas!! Thank you!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

lazy_gardens
11 years ago
If you can make it possible for one to use the toilet while the other is showering, that will eliminate most conflicts.

Consider having a grooming area in their bedrooms, so the bathroom is not used for a 3-hour hair styling session.
wagnerpe
11 years ago
I agree that having the toilet separate from the rest of the room is key. I don't think it's as big an issue to have someone showering while the other is brushing teeth (as long as it's not a perfectly clear shower, of course)

I would have a "separate but equal" set up - like many master baths. A stack of drawers for her stuff, a separate one for his. Maybe two shower niches so that she can put her shampoo and body wash in one place and he can put his stuff in another.

I remember many a morning in high school constantly wiping off the mirror while I tried to get ready because I was first shower and my sisters were showering after me and everything was fogged up - so how about a really good exhaust fan or a window that can be opened to let out the steam?

I'm actually working on a new vanity top shared by my three kids and I'm debating having two sinks on 66in vs. one sink. Part of me thinks the counter space is more valuable to three teens, and part of me thinks that the extra sink might be more handy. I've got two boys - and so there may be tooth brushing and shaving going on at the same time. But then again, I've got a girl who will want to spread out I'm sure. So, I can't help with that!
Related Discussions
What can I grow in the low-light of my bathroom?
Q
Comments (4)
Many ferns love low light, especially Boston and birds nest ferns. They would love the high humidity in the bathroom too. Spider plants like medium light in my experience. Heart leaf Philodendron, beefsteak begonia and Dieffenbachias are what I have in low light. Jen
...See More
Okay, what are your kids growing?
Q
Comments (7)
wow, everyone is getting involved how wonderful. I have 3 children ages 5.7 and 8. this is our first year for gardening and we have started some of our veggie seeds already indoors. The kids have chosen to plant sweet baby watermelons, pumpkins and sunflowers. they will each be responsible for taking care of one of them and then helping with the bigger garden. They are loving getting their hands dirty and loved planting bulbs last fall and seeing them flower this spring. It is my intent that if they plant it they will be proud of what they have done and actually eat veggies. I'll keep my fingers crossed. lol Norma, Michael, Michaela and Miranda
...See More
Kids Bathroom Ideas
Q
Comments (4)
I am about to do the same with a much smaller bathroom. I am using marble tiles on the floor, the really small 1 x 1s and beveled white subway tile on the wall over the tub. I will paint the walls a color and the vanity and then have a fun shower curtain and towels. I figure with the neutral tile I can always repaint and/or switch out the towels and shower curtain as they grow older.
...See More
Please help my kitchen grow with my kids
Q
Comments (6)
The best recommendation I can give you is to not design a kitchen (or bathroom) around small children! Children grow up very, very quickly! Before you know it, they'll be preteens & teens...and that means adult-sized! That said, I don't mean to make it too difficult for children to use either. For example, I don't recommend seating any higher than 36"...so that means no raised bar seating (42") or higher. But, I would also recommend that for someone w/o children and who plan to have no children (or they're already grown). Table-height and counter-height seating are more comfortable for everyone...children, preteens/teens, adults, senior-citizens. Lower counters, but not too low, will work for both children and adults. Unless they're tall, adults will appreciate 30" - 33" counters for things like rolling dough and chopping food. For other things like clean up and cooking, 36" is fine...younger children can use a stool, if needed. I would even venture to say that, with few exceptions, if a child cannot reach a range or cooktop w/o a stool they're probably too young to be cooking! They could use a stool off to the side to watch you & learn, but with an adult "driving". As to "space", I think a homework as well as computer space are good ideas. While they don't have to be right in the kitchen, having them within view is a good idea. Children should not be using the computer un-attended so being able to see it while in the kitchen will help greatly to keep an eye on them. For homework, having it in or near is best for helping them when they need it. Again, you can keep an eye on them to (1) make sure they're really doing it and (2) see if they seem to be struggling and may need you to help. It's also nice to have everyone around...less isolation! With that in mind, I think an open plan will help bring everyone together regardless of what they're doing. Since we opened up our DR to the kitchen, we now have the FR, Kitchen, and DR all fairly open to one another and there is definitely more interaction than there was before. Another recommendation is be sure you have a welcoming space for family meals. Since one of the top recommendations for keeping kids out of serious trouble is to eat dinner all together most nights, a place big enough for everyone to sit down together in a configuration that encourages conversation is a must! Yes, island/peninsula seating is fine for quick meals, but sitting in a straight line like most seating of this sort is not conducive to conversation...TV watching maybe, but not conversation! As a matter of fact, I think the TV shouldn't even be visible from the DR to discourage watching TV while eating family meals! HTH!
...See More
swfr
Original Author
11 years ago
Yeah, I have gone back to the drawing board. I think I've realized that the best thing that could happen is if they both have their own bathrooms. I know they could work it out if they had to share, but I just would rather they both have their own privacy.

But now I'm left with the quandary of what happens if we end up with a third kid. We have never made a final decision about whether that might be in the cards in the future. If I divide the space into two smaller bathrooms, the third kid would make one of them crowded.

Ugh! It is so hard to do all of this remodeling and renovation without a crystal ball!! :-)
sochi
11 years ago
Don't discount lazygardens suggestion to have grooming areas in their bedrooms. I'd even suggest that in one or both grooming areas you include a small sink for grooming and brushing teeth. That way at least half of their "bathroom" time will be in the privacy of their own bedrooms, no steamy mirrors while the other sib showers. Sinks in bedrooms aren't uncommon in older homes and in Europe, and they can be very practical. I'm planning on having one in our master bedroom, to compensate for our small single sink master bath. You wouldn't need a large double sink in your kids bath in this scenario, so more room for a separate w/c.

Great suggestions here. My kids are young too, and their bathroom is next on the list of rooms to renovate.

Ideas for bathrooms kids can grow into

Comments (4)

lazy_gardens

wagnerpe

Related Discussions

swfr
Original Author

sochi

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Ideas for bathrooms kids can grow into

Comments (4)

lazy_gardens

wagnerpe

Related Discussions

swfrOriginal Author

sochi

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

swfr
Original Author