A major part of getting a larger home is trying to give all of your family a reasonable amount of space to work with, for both privacy and people to have spaces they can call their own in terms of aesthetics. Most people tend to think that the bedroom is the prime example of this, and it is, but bathrooms fit the bill as well. Here are a few principles you want to keep in mind when designing and implementing a bathroom for your child.
Décor
Of course, what better way to express to your child that this bathroom is their space than using some clever decoration? However, you don’t want to fall into the pit of going overboard. “It’s easy to go overboard when you’re decorating a child’s bathroom, choosing a theme and then you’re like, ‘I have to have that!’ when you see anything in that theme,” explains Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for Interiors by Decorating Den, based in Easton, Md. “Anything done to excess in decor, even decor for kids, won’t work.”
In some cases, your house’s arrangements may guide your hand. For example, if your child’s bathroom adjoins their bedroom, then your theme has essentially already been decided for you. There’s no reason to fix what isn’t broke. Another thing to keep in mind when determining whether you want to remodel versus redecorate is exactly how many children you have or plan on having. For several children, you may want to design your bathroom for smaller arm reach. However, if you plan on reselling this house, don’t bother and focus just on decoration. Kid-friendly bathrooms are one thing, but kid-designed bathrooms actually lower your resale value. This does make some sense. After all, you may have kids, but the next person to buy that house may not. For them, this is just another expense they have to take on to modify the bathroom to their needs.
With that covered, let’s talk about where to find décor themes. This can vary. You may want to look at home magazines or websites in order to see potential opportunities for inspiration. In some cases, your child may have some suggestions, but you’ll need to filter them through a more refined mentality before starting to buy.
As previously mentioned, try not to go overboard. Different bathroom elements can include:
- The shower curtain
- The wallpaper
- The border
Not all of these need to be broadcasting the theme at the same time, especially if it is character-themed. Painting is a big piece of the puzzle too. Try to let everyone suggest some ideas, then polish them until you have a concrete theme.
Organization
There are also practical concerns as well when it comes to giving your children their own bathroom. Let’s face it, they’re not going to be as organized when it comes to their towels and hygiene essentials, so what you want to do is make it easier for them to keep it organized by implementing various options to make this happen.
For starters, you can implement a tiered hanging basket, especially useful for smaller rooms or when multiple children share a room. This doesn’t take much space, and can offer separation within the organization for everyone to have their own spot for items.
For the little ones, it’s always fun to bring toys in the tub, but not for the parent who has to pick up the mess. Consider designating a “bath box” to keep the tub toys all in one spot.
Don’t forget the safety factor, either. Make sure that you invest in various bathroom safety items, like:
- Tub mats
- Faucet covers
- Drain covers
- A cover clamp for the toilet
These are more for younger children, but you can prevent both accidents and messes by taking the time to buy and implement these options.
Of course, when it comes to putting together a bathroom, don’t get so caught up in the décor and other elements that you forget to take care of the technical side of things. This means making sure that you have a plumber take a look at the bathroom to make sure that everything is functioning properly. There are a lot of different routes you can take, but a good way to start is looking up the websites of plumbers in your area. They can provide advice and insight on what is working and what may need repairs or maintenance down the line. Here is an example of such a site: https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-carrum-downs/.
