Bathroom plans for the whole family

In a perfect world, the bathroom plans would have an ensuite for every member of the family, but the humble family home often only has one bathroom.

So how do you make a single bathroom as family friendly as possible?

"Work out your needs first," advises Dan from Bathrooms Are Us. "Look at how many people will be using the bathroom, and what their ages and individual requirements are. For instance, if you've got toddlers, you'll need a bath. If there are elderly people in the house, then a walk-in shower might be more accessible."

Space for the family bathroom

If space isn't on your side, the most versatile option for an all-purpose family bathroom is a shower-bath combination. With many elegant frameless shower screens now available, there's no reason why these can't be as stylish as they are practical. Alternatively, look for showers with step-down bases – these double as a child-friendly bath and save on space even further. 

Bathroom fittings

Down at the vanity end of the room, if your space is particularly tight or awkward, consider replacing a less versatile all-in-one vanity with a simple pedestal basin and have your storage custom-designed to suit your needs.

Open shower designs

If you want an open, walk-through shower in your family bathroom, make sure you have plenty of clear space around the shower area for stray splashes of water, and choose a channel floor waste – children have a tendency to block smaller drainage outlets with face washers and soaps, which can quickly lead to flooding. 

Slide-rail shower heads are perfect for families in which there are people of differing heights. They enable you to adjust the height of the shower head or detach it altogether to gently rinse a child's hair.

Modern bathroom designs

In terms of design, while there has been a big trend in recent years to turn the bathroom into a pampering room geared up for rest and relaxation, a functional family bathroom calls for a more practical approach.

"You want to keep it plain, clean and user friendly," explains Dan. "Bathroom renovations can take a fair chunk out of the family budget, so all your fittings and finishes should be as durable and long-lasting as possible. I wouldn't go for complicated designer features at all."

Bathroom colour schemes

For a family bathroom, it's best to avoid fads and stick to timeless neutrals, not only because they'll remain tasteful for many years to come, but also because their mid-range tones are better at disguising wear and tear.

Finally, for safety and functionality choose mixer taps – they're easier on young and old wrists and are less likely to cause scalds.

To find out how you can make your bathroom plans perfect for the family, talk with a bathroom renovator today: