8 Elements to Include in a Family Bathroom
These essentials will help ensure that your hardworking bathroom functions well for the whole household
Amanda Pollard
December 14, 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
If you’re planning to remodel your family bathroom, think about what will make life easier for you and your kids. Here are eight elements of a bathroom design that works for everyone.
1. Mix of Storage
When several people are using a bathroom, there inevitably will be tons of stuff to accommodate. With children, there’s the added challenge of mixing safe, out-of-reach storage with storage they can access easily.
Place shelves or a cabinet low enough for kids to take out fresh towels and tidy away toys. Combine this with higher-level storage for toiletries and medicines that could be unsafe for young children. Laundry baskets encourage everyone to toss in their dirty clothes.
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When several people are using a bathroom, there inevitably will be tons of stuff to accommodate. With children, there’s the added challenge of mixing safe, out-of-reach storage with storage they can access easily.
Place shelves or a cabinet low enough for kids to take out fresh towels and tidy away toys. Combine this with higher-level storage for toiletries and medicines that could be unsafe for young children. Laundry baskets encourage everyone to toss in their dirty clothes.
Shop for laundry hampers on Houzz
2. Tub-Shower Combo
If space isn’t an issue, it makes perfect sense to separate the tub and the shower. However, there isn’t always room for both, so many homeowners choose to ditch the tub in favor of a shower.
Before you decide, though, it’s important to think about how your family uses the bathroom. It’s often easier to wash young children in the tub, for example, but older kids may prefer a shower.
You don’t have to compromise on style if you combine the two in a compact bathroom like this. The tub and shower set have a minimal design that’s echoed by the frameless enclosure.
Find a bathroom designer near you
If space isn’t an issue, it makes perfect sense to separate the tub and the shower. However, there isn’t always room for both, so many homeowners choose to ditch the tub in favor of a shower.
Before you decide, though, it’s important to think about how your family uses the bathroom. It’s often easier to wash young children in the tub, for example, but older kids may prefer a shower.
You don’t have to compromise on style if you combine the two in a compact bathroom like this. The tub and shower set have a minimal design that’s echoed by the frameless enclosure.
Find a bathroom designer near you
3. Out-of-the-Way Tub Faucet
If your children bathe together, it’s worth considering a tub with centrally positioned controls. This should avoid any squabbles about who has to sit next to the drain. This design has wall-mounted faucets and a pullout shower head, which help keep the area clutter-free.
If your children bathe together, it’s worth considering a tub with centrally positioned controls. This should avoid any squabbles about who has to sit next to the drain. This design has wall-mounted faucets and a pullout shower head, which help keep the area clutter-free.
4. Simple-to-Use Sink Faucet
When it comes to choosing a sink faucet, go for a single-hole design instead of separate handles for hot and cold water. This will help keep children from scalding themselves.
A lever faucet like this is ideal since it’s easy for kids to operate. Small hands can pull up the lever and keep it in a central position.
Browse single-hole bathroom faucets in the Houzz Shop
When it comes to choosing a sink faucet, go for a single-hole design instead of separate handles for hot and cold water. This will help keep children from scalding themselves.
A lever faucet like this is ideal since it’s easy for kids to operate. Small hands can pull up the lever and keep it in a central position.
Browse single-hole bathroom faucets in the Houzz Shop
5. Easy-Clean Walls and Counters
In a busy household, the bathroom will see some wear and tear, so choose surfaces that are easy to maintain. Go for flat-front cabinets without handles to keep dust and grime from collecting in nooks and crannies, and opt for wipeable tiles on the walls. Grout has a tendency to show dirt, so large-formats tiles with minimal joints are a good option.
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
In a busy household, the bathroom will see some wear and tear, so choose surfaces that are easy to maintain. Go for flat-front cabinets without handles to keep dust and grime from collecting in nooks and crannies, and opt for wipeable tiles on the walls. Grout has a tendency to show dirt, so large-formats tiles with minimal joints are a good option.
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
6. No-Fuss Floor
Floors, too, should be water-resistant and easy to mop. If you’re hankering for a wood floor, consider wood-effect porcelain tiles that won’t be ruined by moisture.
If you have young children, it’s worth opting for a softer surface to avoid any injuries if they fall. A vinyl floor like this is ideal since it’s cushioned and has the added bonus of being easy to clean.
Shop for vinyl flooring
Floors, too, should be water-resistant and easy to mop. If you’re hankering for a wood floor, consider wood-effect porcelain tiles that won’t be ruined by moisture.
If you have young children, it’s worth opting for a softer surface to avoid any injuries if they fall. A vinyl floor like this is ideal since it’s cushioned and has the added bonus of being easy to clean.
Shop for vinyl flooring
7. Hanging Space
If you want to avoid tripping over wet towels, ensure that you have sufficient space to dry them. The key to a tidy family bathroom is to make it easy for children to hang up their things. Towel hooks or bars set at appropriate heights can do the trick.
Shop for towel holders
If you want to avoid tripping over wet towels, ensure that you have sufficient space to dry them. The key to a tidy family bathroom is to make it easy for children to hang up their things. Towel hooks or bars set at appropriate heights can do the trick.
Shop for towel holders
8. Place to Sit
If you want to avoid sitting on the floor or the toilet lid while your kids have a soak, it’s a good idea to have a handy seat in your bathroom. An extra piece of furniture also can present an opportunity to bring some vintage character to your space.
Tell us: Will you be including any of these features in your family bathroom? Are there other essentials you couldn’t live without? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
If you want to avoid sitting on the floor or the toilet lid while your kids have a soak, it’s a good idea to have a handy seat in your bathroom. An extra piece of furniture also can present an opportunity to bring some vintage character to your space.
Tell us: Will you be including any of these features in your family bathroom? Are there other essentials you couldn’t live without? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about bathroom design
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom products
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I really want a solar light tube in my interior family bath but my husband refuses to "cut another hole in the roof".
I wanted to second the comment about the placement of the tub faucet on the outside wall. In addition to the points already made about access for repair and turning on the water while out of the tub, I'd also like to add that in cold climates subject to deep and prolonged freezes, it's best to avoid this kind of plumbing arrangement.
Great to have an article that focuses on small and family bathrooms.