Here’s the proposed cabinet layout for the bathroom

Thank you!!! These are great tips, love the drawer within drawer idea. And omg did not think about sanitary supplies!! But I guess you’re right! I do like the shelves idea.

I have to think about downsizing to one sink a little bit more. Right now the kids all get up and go to bed at same exact time..... I’ve really been looking forward to 2 sinks instead of one for them but I understand your point.

Yes the closet is narrow! I’m nervous about giving up the bathroom space though. We do have a dresser also for the girls which I think will help.

I agree to change to 1 sink installed in the middle of the vanity,
and put the priority into storage and counter space. (You could put in a wider-than-normal sink if
you want). I also like the side-cabinet
idea; try to put electrical outlets to charge toothbrushes if they will fit. One large mirror over the vanity. I like beveled, but a lot of people like
framed, so choose what you like. Install
6” back and side-splashes rather than the typical 4” bc kids are messy.

As far as under the cabinet, we decided not to over-customize
the storage for blow dryer, etc (I've seen some pretty cool customized pull-outs,
etc, but that wasn't for us bc we wanted more flexibility). We decided to
just put inexpensive plastic storage containers on the floor of the cabinets to
stash blow dryer, straightener, curling iron, extra toiletries
and supplies, etc. It's like having square buckets to stash those things in,
keeping things separated and easier to access, but without building expensive
customized drawers or pull-outs. It's also handy to have these containers
in case something leaks, easier to clean up.

As far as the drawers (this is where hairbrushes and make-up
will probably end up), we decided to install 4 equally-deep drawers instead of
3 as is shown in your picture. I find
shallower drawers to be more useful in a bathroom. These were also fitted with
inexpensive storage bins (Target, JoAnns, Walmart, etc), to keep things separated
and (hopefully) organized. The bins will also help your cabinetry to stay
cleaner because the bin will get dirty, not your expensive cabinetry. If something wet leaks (foundation, lotion,
etc), it will be caught in the plastic bin rather than messing up your cabinet
paint or finish. If you are going to
have 2 girls sharing the bathroom, having 4 drawers might be good bc each girl
can have 2. I love the looks of the
split/layered drawers, but we decided that making the regular drawers shallower
accomplished pretty much the same thing and provided almost as much
benefit.

As far as over the toilet storage, I agree with the shelves. You could also install a cabinet that fills the entire width of the wall. We have that in one bathroom, and it provides a ton of storage. I like it, but the open shelving can be prettier and things are more at-hand.

For the tub/shower combo, have the contractor install 4 corner shelves to hold all the shampoos, shaving stuff, etc. Corner shelves are less expensive to install than niches. If you want niches, that's fine too. They are just more expensive to install. If you do niches, put a wide one or a tall, divided one so that there is plenty of room for products.

We only have 2 kids, but we have one sink in our bathroom and it's been fine so far, really. :) Our bathroom is really small (6x9?), but I would honestly prefer more 'elbow room' than actual sinks. Plus less sinks to clean the better.

While I am on the sinks, I don't know if it would go with your design plan, but I would really like under mount or integrated sinks in a kids bath. What is it with the toothpaste!? But it would be nice to be able to just whisk it off the counter and into the sink.

Definitely get some cabinetry over the toilet. I think it would be smart to build up that toilet compartment wall with a piece that fits.

There's a thread on storing sanitary products - that can be done with a small door in between studs (looks like a small laundry chute door).

Is there any place on the walls in their room that you can hang towels? Again in our small house, we've started doing that. Hang the towel on your door, get undressed and head into the adjacent bath, take the towel back in your room, hang it, and get dressed. For me having towels in the bathroom itself means a lot of clothes left on the floor.

Great suggestions! I will definitely look at getting more, shallower drawers. Good thought about outlets in the medicine cabinets too.

What do you think about changing the pocket door to a regular door that swings into the wall opposite the toilet? Just thinking I could then use the wall opposite the sinks for hooks or towel rack / shelves too.

And omg did not think about sanitary supplies!!

Yeah, I get it. You don't think -- don't yet think -- of your little girls becoming women yet. Intellectually, you know they will, but that's not a thought that fits into your heart just yet. Says the mother of two girls, ages 20 and 23.

Yes the closet is narrow! I’m nervous about giving up the bathroom space though. We do have a dresser also for the girls which I think will help.

A dresser will give you more storage space, but the problem is that you won't have a walking aisle to reach the hanging clothing. Realistically, this is your space with a hanging rod and adult-sized clothing hanging -- note that you only have about the width of the hanger for walking space -- you'll have to walk sideways to get to the clothes on the far right:

Yes, put electrical outlets on both sides of the sink -- I personally wouldn't put them inside medicine cabinets; that'd mean the girls would have to leave the medicine cabinets open while using the hair dryer, etc. ... and that would take up space /block part of the mirror.

Double-yes to a wide mirror. The girls will need more time for fixing their hair than they'll need using the sink.

As far as under the cabinet, we decided not to over-customize the storage for blow dryer, etc (I've seen some pretty cool customized pull-outs,

Yes, I agree. Don't lock yourself into one organization method.

or the tub/shower combo, have the contractor install 4 corner shelves to hold all the shampoos, shaving stuff, etc. Corner shelves are less expensive to install than niches. If you want niches, that's fine too. They are just more expensive to install. If you do niches, put a wide one or a tall, divided one so that there is plenty of room for products.

Very good advice. Whatever you choose -- corner shelves or niches -- put in more than you think they'll need. Make sure your storage is tall enough for the big pump-top shampoo bottles, and don't neglect a spot for soap.

For me having towels in the bathroom itself means a lot of clothes left on the floor.

I'll take the other side of that coin. I'd rather the kids dress /undress in the bathroom. Towels and clothes may end up on the bathroom floor, but I'd rather have them all on the floor in one place ... instead of strung out over the floors in the bathroom plus two bedrooms.

What do you think about changing the pocket door to a regular door that swings into the wall opposite the toilet?

To tell the truth, I'd lose that wall completely. You're talking about two sisters; they can share a plain bathroom. The wall makes the two rooms small, and at some point that pocket door will break (possibly in the closed position), and you'll have to get a handyman to come in and fix it, which might mean opening up the wall. Pocket doors are more finicky /easier to break than hinged doors, and children aren't great at being gentle with things.

This bathroom is pretty small. I'd make it one room.

My 2 teenagers always use their 2 sinks at the same time, but YMMV (2 boys - so they brush teeth am and pm same time, wash faces pm). I wouldn't go with 1 sink, but I don't have a problem with telling my kids they have to either get all their stuff to fit in the cabinets else it will be stored in their bedrooms. (And I have boys not teen girls, so probably far less stuff. Although we do store all cleaning items in the vanity.) Do you have a hallway linen closet? That's where we keep towels, medicine, other infrequently used bath items. HTH, even thought I'm clearly not in the majority here.

Over the door hooks for towels. I've been trying to talk SO into installing a cabinet that is made for built in ironing board with outlet that is on a timer for curling irons, a a metal "pocket" for storing not cooled off one's, timer for the accidentally left plugged in and left on... I've done it myself many times.. They fit in between the 2x4's. You can probably get someone to build something like this in between the 2x4's.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LO6284/ref=asc_df_B000LO62845387067/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B000LO6284&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167128712637&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=46925541317998647&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019695&hvtargid=pla-273478946562

Wall mounted hair dryer. I had installed a full depth upper kitchen cabinet installed above toilet. The ones made for over the toilet did not have adequate storage. I got a white stained one. At first it just seemed too big visually but after a while it didn't notice it so much. Would not trade for the "correct" one.

I would keep the two sinks because it's a good-sized vanity at 76". I'd use 30" sink bases so the sinks aren't so close to the wall that your elbows bump it. The items in your list will fit fine in a 16" drawer base. I don't think you need two deep drawers but four shallow ones might not give you enough flexibility. You could do three drawers of the same depth and do the sliding tray in the top drawer. The only thing we can't fit in our shallow drawers is the mouthwash, so it goes under the sink. Use oval sinks so there is more corner space for cups, soap, and toothbrush holders.

You can do a nice over toilet cabinet for TP and tampons. You only need 6". I would never put clean towels on a shelf over the toilet because of toilet plume.

Historical St. Paul Renovation · More Info

Another vote for keeping the 2 sinks. My sister and I didn't get along in high school, and whichever of us had the sink tended to dawdle there just to upset the other. Not saying it will happen to you, but you know, girls....

Another good reason for 2 sinks: remodels down the road. We have a double sink in our master, out of commission waiting on a plumber for 6 months. We're all sharing DD's tiny bathroom & tiny sink. Yay.

Regarding mirrors, unless you plan to do a full wall panel, pretty much all mirrors will be too high to be of use until your kids are older. When DD was very small, I used a small mirror from a craft store Command-stripped to the wall right above the counter and under the "finished" mirror. When it was time to move, we pulled the small mirror off the wall, and the room was viewing-ready.

Lots of really cool ideas on this thread! Can't wait to see the finished product!

I realize your post was a year and a half ago, but maybe someone else will come around looking for advice...

I have the exact same bathroom layout and size as you, and I agonized over the same issues. Here’s what I did, and I absolutely love the bathroom. I’ve found no issues with storage so far:

1. We beefed up the pocket door wall by adding plywood between the pocket studs. It’s a kit that we bought from Home Depot. The plywood makes the wall really strong so we could hang a towel bar on the sink side and a toilet paper holder on the bath side.
2. We made the pocket door full-lite frosted glass. That allowed light to move between the two rooms. Our bathtub has a small 1x1 window in it.
3. We removed the two existing sinks and downsized to one sink. We decided more cabinet storage was better than two sinks. No regrets. We only have one kid right now but I figured the kids will really only share the sink while brushing their teeth. I think it’s more important for them to have their own countertop and mirror space. Speaking of...
4. We added a full length, tall mirror above the sink to reflect lots of light. This helps a lot.
5. We used bright colors since I was worried about the bathroom feeling too small and dark. I don’t think it feels boring at all, especially with pictures and colored towels to break up the “blah”.
6. We put two small towels hooks across from the toilet. One of the towels slightly blocks the light switch that also shares the wall, but I don’t find it annoying at all.
7. We added two electrical outlets above the vanity countertop (one on each of the short walls). These are really convenient.
8. We also added a floating shelf above the toilet. Right now it holds extra toilet paper, but it will be convenient for sanitary products once my daughter is older.
9. I was worried about the number of lights needed to brighten the rooms at night. We have two 40W LED bulbs on the sink side and one LED can light on the bath side. They’re plenty.

I think that’s it! I attached some pictures. I know it looks dark, but it was early morning. I’ve never found the bathroom dark and claustrophobic.