Plan The Perfect Family Bathroom

Family Bathroom. Planning The Perfect Family Bathroom

Need to fit more than the average into your bathroom to cater for all the family's needs? Here's how one family got it right - plus we've plenty advice for your smallest room.

Family bathroom. Credit: Bridget Peirson

What allows a family bathroom to work well? Space, good storage, a bath of course - a wetroom alone will never be enough - and wipe-clean surfaces that are totally waterproof. Doesn't sound very sexy does it? But it needn't look like homage to your kids. Here's how to plan a room that's completely practical, but still has magazine-style good looks...

How To Make The Most Of Your Space

The priority is storage that doesn't draw attention to itself. The pictured bathroom works well because the large cupboard is low-level and hidden beneath two curvaceous, countertop sinks. The cupboard doors are painted to blend with the tile surrounds and are handle-free, so your eyes aren't drawn to it, but to what's going on above, which is far more interesting.

The back-to-the-wall loo, with the false shelf above, achieves the same trick - it makes useful display and storage space out of what would often be a dead area. Add to that the huge but glam wall-hung heated towel rail, and you've got a family-fit bathroom.

How To Make It Look Grown-Up

Two basins are highly practical if you've got kids, but they're also very fashionable and on the wish list of many prospective future buyers.
When it comes to the bath, a big one is a plus point for a family, so if you can fit one in, do. By placing the taps on the wall at its centre rather than at one end, you will give it that elusive spa bathroom look that most family bathrooms lack.
As for bathroom floors and walls, the more areas covered by wipe-clean and waterproof surfaces the better. Tiles are the number one choice, but if you're covering a large area, choose big ones as they'll make the space seem even bigger. Go for a sophisticated finish, such as slate-effect, rather than child-pleasing.
Then, indulge in an enormous mirror and good bathroom lighting to make it as light and bright as possible.