Countertops. You need room for your hair and face stuff.

Tough sinks are cool looking, but not as practical.

How much counter space would there be on the ends of the trough sink? My gut says two individual sinks will be more practical as theyou grow up and have various hygiene products, curling irons that need a landing space, etc.

the trough sink would really only have space at the rear... (i think trough might not be the right term...i don't live in the US right now, not sure what they're called) basically just one big porcelain sink about 120cm wide with 2 taps. With two raised sinks, would i be setting myself up for disaster placing them on a wooden countertop? Thanks for your help! Pic as idea for 2 sinks... an below, the sink that maxes out our width....

My vote would be separate sinks. 36x36cm sink is small, and the interior dimensions of the basin would be even smaller. I don't think I could get my face and hands in there to wash my face without touching the sides of the basin, or a lot of splashing onto the countertop. Also, I'm not a fan of vessel sinks in bathrooms that are not powder rooms, but I can't articulate why... just a feeling. Good luck! Pls post pics later. I'm curious to see your final design as we are doing a kids' bath too.

Trough sink is the proper term. :) There are some styles that are set on a countertop which is why I asked. If the trough sink will not have countertop surrounding it, I would eliminate that as an option and do two individual sinks. I do not know enough about treated wood countertops but I would be worried about potential water sitting for hours at a time, plus the high humidity in the bathroom during showers.

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girls require a lot of space in a bathroom especially when they are all rushing ,my solution would be to install a large sink like this one .

No vessels for kids -- hard to work with, easy to damage (or get injured on). Two sinks still good if you can get them near-flush or undermount. I wouldn't go higher than a lip, like this:

Really, the trick is to get them away from *keeping* anything on the counters -- maybe a central toothbrush/toothpaste holder and some cups, and everything else has to have a home, whether in a drawer, or a medicine cabinet, or on some extra shelving, or in a basket that goes back to the bedroom between bathroom visits. Then there won't be that much competition for counters and any set-up will work.

That *might* mean a trough is a good choice, if it's something like the Ikea version that's packed with drawer space.

But really, put your money into getting storage onto every inch of wall, not least real medicine cabinets, whether recessed or surface. Again, Ikea has good ones, with options for light overhead or built in.Even if they're old enough for makeup and so forth, there are organizational options galore for keeping each person's stuff contained and/or portable. Don't give in! At no stage in my life have I ever kept stuff on a counter!

Plans by Marcy

Could you possibly draw a simple sketch showing your bathroom's available space. For better input from us, it helps to know the general outline of the room & where the other fixtures (tub/toilet/etc.) are placed? You may want to rearrange the whole shooting match while you are in the renovation stage?

It's not really the keeping of stuff on the counter. One assumes there are cabinets and drawers and baskets and bins to house things that are not actively in use. When things are in use, there simply has to be sufficient space to set out all the items needed in that moment.

I agree with acm that only toothbrushes, soap, and maybe a bottle of lotion get stored on the counter. But even if they carry their things back and forth, they will need a landing spot for the basket while they shower, use the toilet, etc. I wouldn't want to put my makeup bag on the floor. And hair styling and makeup are sometimes fun to do in the bathroom, especially for special occasions, sleepovers, etc. If I have to set my curling iron down or pass my eyeshadow to my bestie, a counter is vital.

So some counter space at least, please :)

Buy each kid a second toothbrush and comb to use in the other bathroom(s). Each kid gets a drawer or a bin to keep her stuff in. Hairdryers stay in their rooms. Add GFCI outlets on each side of the sink.

No trough sink, no vessel sinks. It's counter space and elbow room that they need.

Hi - I believe that the real issue with girls (middle school and older) is their need for places in front of the mirror. Is it at all possible to add (on another wall in their bath room) horizontal mirror(s) and perhaps a narrow ledge below them for a couple of girls to use as they let the others take turns washing up at the sinks? Preferably these would be within reach of a couple of power outlets. That system worked out really well for my sister and I when we were that age.

Thank you for all of these comments! Our girls are 5, 8, and 10, and so far absolutely not interested in a beauty regime ;) But I know the time will come. We will have built-in storage below the sink(s), in medicine cabinet and I am pushing for a super skinny 'apothekeschrank' (?pull-out, tall storage piece). The bathroom is 310x 170cm. There is really only one layout that would work, considering door and window placement. Walk-in shower 170 long, 90cm wide. Then toilet (allowing 80cm) and finally the 120cm long sink/countertop. Plan is that things will only be out of storage spaces when in-use, but yes, we need space to set things down while in use :) Will do some more research on what's available here, taking all these thoughts with me. Thank you!

Plans by Marcy

I was thinking, Rebecca, depending on how much money you want to spend, your plumbing/house layout, etc. , you may want to place a sink in one or more of your girl's bedrooms, and only put one sink in the bathroom for general use. That way, as your girls get older, they can primp to their heart's content without occupying the actual bathroom. I made this suggestion to a client in the past, and they came back to me years later thanking me. 'Dad' said he had no idea how much time a teen-aged girl spent in front of a mirror. While young now, your girls are going to appreciate having their own spots later. I know. My sister and I fought every night over the bathroom. You could also go with a split bath, or at the very least an enclosed toilet to assure privacy.

@rebeca hofer: This is one of the inspiration photos for my kids' bath. I like the sinks, single long mirror, and 3 light fixtures. Might be inspiring for you too. Good luck!

Perhaps put full-length mirror on back of the door or longwise above a low towel bar? At least be sure they have mirrors in each of the bedrooms with outlets nearby! ;-) Have fun with your girls - they will be teens in a flash!

Kids grow fast so if you are planning a new sink think of the future.

We have two girls and are getting this in our girls bathroom. http://shop.orcasupply.ca/double-sink-vanity-with-quartz-countertop-62-inch