family baths

Safety and organization
should be top priorities

The common depiction in magazines of the children's bath is that of a brightly tiled room, perhaps with a mural on the wall, and nary a stray bath toy in sight. In the real world, children's baths aren't always so storybook perfect. And if you don't have the luxury of a master bath, the family bath has to work that much harder to serve the needs of both children and adults.

Start by considering the number of people who will be using the bathroom, their ages, and their bathing habits. Most children under 10 prefer baths to showers. A tub with higher sides will keep splashes from soaking the floor. Will teenagers and adults who like showers also be using the bathroom?

If you don't have space for a separate shower, install a combination tub/shower unit. If you have children who must get ready for bed or school at the same time, consider adding a small partition between toilet and tub to give one child a little extra privacy while another child is bathing. Two lavatories make as much sense in this bath as they do in the master bathroom.

Provide a towel bar for family member, as well as enough cabinets and storage space for everyone. Don't forget to include a shelf or cabinet for all the bath toys young children manage to collect. If the children are older, you’ll need to devote plenty of storage to their grooming products.

Since the family bath gets so much use, faucets should be able to withstand a lot of turning on and off and flooring should be extra-durable.

Ask the Experts

I have a two-year-old and a five-year-old. What safety features do I need to include in our family bathroom?

Install childproof locks on drawers and cabinets, especially those that store cleaning supplies or medications, or store these items out of the bathroom altogether. Use anti-scald devices to prevent the water from getting too hot and thermostatic shower valves to enable you to set the temperature and water level. Stay away from tubs, lavatories, or vanities with sharp edges. A small stepstool, perhaps one personalized for each child, will help give your kids a boost up to the sink and toilet. And remember that no matter how many safety features you include, don't ever leave a small child in the tub unattended. If you have some extra space, a comfortable chair for the attending grown-up will make bath time more enjoyable for everyone.

The trouble is that kids often tire of themes and color schemes before you do. Unless you’re planning on another remodel in a few years, a better solution is to keep permanent fixtures neutral and use towels, bathmats, tub decals, wall borders, and accessories like soap dispensers and toothbrush holders to add personality to the room. They're less expensive and much easier to replace.