How many bathrooms do you need to avoid all potential conflict? One per person probably – but let’s face it, we can’t all have that luxury! When we design bathrooms for families, avoiding battles is a key consideration. Especially if teenagers are in the mix. Even if not, a design should be futureproofed for when the teenage years arrive! All family battles can be solved, and with a mixture of thoughtful design and tips for use, families can use their bathrooms in harmony.
Time limits
It might feel a little extreme to have a timer in your bathroom. But for some family dynamics this is absolutely necessary! In fact, in these times where we’re all trying to be a bit greener, a 4 minute shower timer is a common feature in bathrooms. You may also find a rota for bathroom use helpful. If you go down this road, it’s a good idea to make this a changing rota in the interests of fairness.
Cleaning
So many arguments come down to cleaning. Therefore, if your bathroom design is specifically engineered for ease of cleaning, a lot of these battles can be avoided. Choose worktop surfaces and unit fronts that are matte that will not smear. A toilet that is back-to-wall and rimless is easier to clean, as there are fewer nooks and crannies. Similarly, if you minimise the areas of grout by choosing either large tiles or wall panels, you won’t experience a build up of grime. Keep a cloth handy to encourage the wiping down of the basin, and a squeegee in the shower to dry glass panels.
Storage
In a family bathroom, each user should have their own dedicated storage space. You can even go so far as to give each person their own shower shelf. If your family is young, you’ll have a plethora of toys which need a home, and during the teenage years you’ll be flummoxed at the number of bottles that your children seem to require! This means that you really can never have too much storage, so plan your layout and furniture to fit as much storage in as possible.
The En-suite
If you have space, even the smallest en-suite bathroom for the adults will bring a much needed sense of privacy. So, it can be worth compromising the end of a bedroom or a built in cupboard to achieve this luxury. With clever solutions to maximise even the most limited space, adding an en-suite can both save your sanity and add value to your home. Our small en-suite projects are great examples of what can be achieved.
Furniture Choices
You need very specific pieces of furniture for a working bathroom. The design choices that you make here can have a real impact on how easy your bathroom is for family use.
Basins
Twin basins or a large trough basin means that more than one person can use this utility at the same time. When it comes to brushing teeth during the morning rush, this can make a real difference.
Bath
For younger children, choose a bath with centrally positioned, or even wall mounted, taps. No more sibling arguments about having to sit at the tap end! A sunken bath is easy to get in and out of, and will mean that children can’t drop their favourite toy.
Shower
Thermostatic showers will prevent scalding, which is important as children start to become more independent in the bathroom.
Towel Rail
Depending on your wall space, the larger the heated towel rail the better. Think about how many wet towels you need to store. With young children, you may want to use towelling robes instead of traditional flat towels. These can be hung up easier and dry quickly on a towel rail.
Mirrors
In a similar theory to basins, the wider a wall mirror is, the more people can use basin and worktop space at the same time. A large mirror has the added benefit of making the room seem larger, which might help to avoid any feelings of claustrophobia in a shared room!
There are many ways that we can’t help with family harmony. But when it comes to bathroom design, we have the experience to suggest practical and constructive solutions. Get in touch to find out more.