If you share your home with a baby, toddler, or even an older kid, it’s good to go the extra mile by making sure you’ve kid-proofed the space. If you’re working with a small bathroom, it’s even more important to create a well-protected space that’s both kid-friendly and stylish. It’s not just about trying to keep your space as clean and orderly as possible, it’s about protecting your kids from any sharp corners, sensitive materials, and too-high countertops to make them feel as comfortable as possible in their space. But don’t worry: Designing a kid-friendly bathroom doesn’t mean sacrificing style or sophistication. If you want to create a space that’s safe, stylish, and friendly, here are a few helpful tips to get you started.
Choose the Right Countertop
If you have kids, you already know how common it is to find yourself clean up messes in any room your children have been in. Kids can be destructive, and the best way to combat this is to invest in materials that you’re not totally attached to. This doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the actual look of your bathroom, however. You don’t want to splurge on a brand new marble or granite countertop, for instance, when you know that it’s not the most kid-friendly material. You also don’t want your bathroom to look cheap or shabby. A good way of getting around this is to use a material like quartz, which will still give you the effect of a more luxurious material without forcing you to deal with a ton of preventative maintenance.
Don’t Go Too High or Too Low
If you have small children who are in the process of being potty trained, you want to make sure everything is the right height in your bathroom. It’s not just helpful for kids who are learning to be independent and do their own washing-up rituals: it can be a good way for your kids to feel at home in their own bathroom. Not everything, of course, has to be kid-sized. In fact, it’s recommended that toddlers and babies train on a standard-sized toilet with a stool next to it for easy access. In terms of countertops and vanity space, you’ll have to use your best judgment. If you consider your bathroom as mainly a storage space for your toiletries, there are a bunch of things you’ll probably want to keep well out of reach. That said, when your child starts to grow, they’ll probably want to be able to have easier access to the medicine cabinet and the sink. Use child-proofing tools in the bathroom, but don’t go out of your way to make the countertop and cabinets totally inaccessible as your child gets older.
Consider Your Fixtures
While most kids have a conflicted relationship with baths and showers, there are ways to make it easier. First off, try having a few options for shower fixtures. If your child prefers taking baths, consider getting a gentle, detachable showerhead that will make cleaning easier. You can also make your bathtub more accessible by installing grab bars for added safety. Remember, as your child grows, they’ll have different needs and preferences, so designing your bathroom to be perfect for a toddler, though it might seem like the smartest move right now, will eventually wear out its function.
Use Storage Options and Temperature Protection
If you have a bath or shower that’s not the easiest to regulate temperature-wise, you want to do what you can to protect your kids from getting scalded by too-hot water. It might seem like a huge concern, but it’s always best to protect children from being exposed to a fidgety sink or bathtub if you can help it. In addition to setting up your tub or shower as a “fun” space to get clean, with additional storage space for bath toys and accessories, you can use an anti-scalding device to install on your showerhead or bathtub spout that will help regulate the temperature of the water at all times. Don’t discount the power of setting up bathtime as playtime, either. Once your child is in the water, you can use your additional storage space to help them have easy access to bath toys. This helps kids foster a sense of fun when it comes to taking a bath. Having a place where they can store and easily access their stuff can also give them a sense of familiarity from the moment they enter the room. Even the most bath-averse kids will be tempted by having a storage space of their very own for bath-related playtime.
