Whether designing a baby bathroom, a boys’ bathroom or a girls’ bathroom, the key is striking the balance between whom they are today, and who they’ll be tomorrow. What makes a fun bathroom for kids now might be one that they outgrow quickly, making another renovation likely. Going too far in the other direction, and thinking ahead to the days when this bathroom will be primarily used for guests may mean that the bathroom looks worn and stained when that time arrives.
Use Pictorial Decoration Sparingly
Adults may appreciate the whimsy of a bathroom full of sea critters, or a sports bathroom with tiles painted like soccer balls, but a growing adolescent may come to resent it. Giving in to a child’s fancy for dinosaurs at age five may mean needing to redo a bathroom that’s still in good shape when that child turns twelve. Try to find decoration that has universal appeal, or contain the shapes to solid colored border tiles.
Let Color Reign
Using glass tiles or penny tiles in a bright color mixed with white ceramics and fixtures is an effective way of creating a fun bathroom that won’t look dated over time. Try putting cobalt penny tiles on the floor, with white subway tiles on the walls and blue and yellow glass accents as a border running around the room.
If the bathroom will be getting used for guests in a few years, keep the main colors of the room neutral with a mixed color glass border. Take one of the bolder colors from the border to paint the walls and take towel colors from. When the kids have gone off to college, simply repaint the walls in one of the more subtle shades of the glass for a more updated look.
Remember That Kids will be Kids
Some adults may feel that they are going to redo this bathroom once, and they are going to do it well. If this is the case, try to avoid using marbles or other natural stones in the room.
Kids may decide to dye their hair purple for Halloween, or they may miss the sink bowl with their toothpaste. No one wants the unenviable task of trying to remove purple stains from a Cararra marble shower, or the task of having to refinish an etched granite countertop.
Stick to easy to clean ceramics, porcelains and quartz countertops for kids bathrooms. Or use glass tiles, which can be cleaned with window cleaner.
Look into getting a grout additive mixed into the grouts before they are installed to help protect them from stains. Stay away from crackle finish ceramic tiles as well; while they may add interest to the tile, they will require frequent sealing to protect them from staining.
Let the Bathroom Grow With Them
If designing the bathroom for young children who will use it for years to come, make sure that they will get the longest use from it. Install a vanity at normal height with a pull out step stool in the bottom. If some whimsy is required, look into the fun sinks made by Elkay. These sinks are shaped like fish or footballs, but have the same diameter of a traditional drop in sink, making them easy to change out as time goes by.
If multiple sized children are using the same bath, install the showerhead on a sliding bar to adjust the height to each one.
Remember that tile and plumbing showrooms can be inappropriate places for children to play. Make the majority of the decisions with the kids at home; bringing them in for a final view or approval only after all other choices have been made. Appointments for home renovation can take time, so be sure to factor that in when deciding what to do with the kids.
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