It’s all very well having a chic, minimalistic bathroom – but what happens when the pitter-patter of tiny feet comes along?
You might think that having small people in the house means sacrificing any semblance of style until they become teenagers… But there are ways you can have a practical, child-friendly bathroom that is also stylish and not filled with gaudy plastic.
Storage solutions hide a multitude of sins
The key to keeping your bathroom stylish is to have good quality storage. With children in the house we tend to buy in bulk and stockpile toiletries, in fear of running out of shampoo at that vital moment. Therefore it’s worthwhile looking at some decent cabinets and cupboards that can be wall-mounted or maybe fit neatly under the sink. In a busy family bathroom it’s a good idea to give each family member their own shelf or drawer in order to avoid too much messing around. Drawers or cupboards allow for less clutter to be on show. These days you can easily pick up a very chic cabinet with soft-close drawers or doors that will fit perfectly into whichever space you have available. Many modern units these days also come pre-treated with a coating to ensure wood does not soak up moisture from damp bathroom air.
Safety First
One important thing to bear in mind is safety when it comes to heating. A heated towel rail may look nice, but with small hands about it can be less than ideal – and you may find yourself switching it off to avoid burns. Under floor heating is much more practical and safe, and is actually a lot more affordable than most of us think. Another important safety point to bear in mind is adding a thermostat to the taps or water heater to ensure the water can never be hot enough to scald small hands. We all know how children love to fiddle with taps as soon as our backs are turned; best to ensure there’s no danger in their doing so.
When it comes to decor, many people favour the “seaside” theme when it comes to family bathrooms. But why not try something a little different, and frame some of your little pickle’s best artwork for the walls. This will give the bathroom a really personal touch – and you can always ask them to draw you a nice picture of the seaside!