Remodeling the Family Bath

It may be time to look at remodeling the family bath if:

• A line regularly forms outside the door
• family members vie for position in front of the sink to brush teeth
• jams, jellies and other assorted personal products line the countertops because there is no other place to put them.

In all seriousness, there is no other room in the home where function is quite as important as in the family bathroom, and a lack thereof can have a major impact on the entire family.  Before you jump into the project, set aside time to thoroughly plan your bathroom remodel.  

A Bathroom Remodel to Meet Your Family’s Needs

Make It Function

The family bath must meet the needs of all the members of your family.  That’s a tall order, especially if the kid’s stages range from toddler to teenager.  But it can be done.  First, make a list of all the functional issues you have with the current bathroom.  Is it simply too small? Is there a lack of storage? Would adding another sink help to calm the chaos? Take note of each person who uses the bathroom and any special needs or functional issues that must be addressed to accommodate that user.  Thinking it out and putting it down on paper will prove helpful as you move ahead.   Consider setting aside a few bucks for a consult with a professional bath designer; a professional can come up with some creative resolutions for your bathroom’s function problems and help you make the most of your space.  Visit the National Kitchen and Bath Association web site to find a certified professional in your area. 

While modifying the bath’s existing layout may increase your remodeling budget significantly, it also may help you gain the space you need to resolve some of the functional problems you face.  Don’t rule it out.  Get an estimate on the cost to move plumbing fixtures and pipes or expand into an adjacent closet.  Then evaluate whether the cost would be worth the gain for your family.

Here are some other considerations for improving the function of your family bath:

• Add a second sink
• Expand the size of the mirror
• Install additional lighting
• Bring in more natural light with a Solar Tube
• Improve ventilation
• Replace the shower head with a hand-held model to accommodate family members of any height.  (They’re also great for bathing the baby or the family pet in the tub).
• Add more towel racks for drying wet towels
• Find a spot for a built-in, dirty clothes hamper
• Install a grab bar in the tub for safety
• Add a pony wall for privacy at the toilet

Smart Storage

Building in enough storage is key to a successful family bathroom remodel.  That may prove challenging, especially if you have a large family or a particularly small bathroom.  Don’t overlook any opportunities to incorporate storage into your bath redesign. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind:

• A built-in vanity may be your best bet for storage at the sink.  A vanity with lots of drawers will provide more versatile and functional storage for toiletries, make up and hair styling appliances.  Drawer organizers can be customized and changed out as family members grow and needs change.  Plan a cabinet or two for taller bottles and bulk items.
• Consider a mirror with built-in, mirrored medicine cabinets.  You’ll gain extra storage space for personal items, yet when the door is closed, you’ll have the benefit of more mirror surface to support multiple users simultaneously.  A large expanse of mirror will also reflect more light and make the room feel larger.
• Take advantage of the wall space above the toilet.  It’s a perfect location to incorporate storage.  A shelving unit without doors would be great for storing extra towels and bath mats.  A cabinet with doors could store extra toilet paper, soap and bathroom supplies.
• Open storage can also be attractive.  Use decorative containers like baskets made of wicker or wire mesh, canvas boxes or colorful plastic bins to hold and organize smaller items.  Stick with one style to create a sense of order.

Materials

The family bath gets a lot of use and abuse, so select materials that will be durable and easy-to-clean and maintain.  That doesn’t mean the family bath can’t look great too.  Just be practical in your choices.  The family bath is no place for hardwood floors and polished marble countertops.  But, there are many great products on the market today that are made to simulate natural materials like stone and wood.  Using alternatives means you won’t have to worry about the kids leaving wet towels behind on your stone-look, ceramic tile floor or scratching the engineered stone countertops.  Call it practical style.

Design

A family bath remodel doesn’t have to be all business.  Yes, function is king, but in the end, your family bath should also have a personality.  Make the bathroom a happy and relaxing place to be.  Look for inspiration to choose a color, theme or style that will suit your family.  Maybe the inspiration will come from a whimsical shower curtain.  Maybe there is a place the family has enjoyed together on vacation - think beach house, mountain retreat, country cottage.  Maybe your children have artwork you can frame and display in the bath.  If not, pick a subject and have each child paint their own masterpiece.  Have fun with it!  Select any functional accessories (like the soap pump and towels) to work with the color scheme or theme.  Just remember that any accessories you do incorporate shouldn’t impede the function of the bath or its clean up.

Follow these tips, and your new and improved family bath will help your family coexist peacefully for many years to come. (At least when it comes to sharing the bathroom!) Check back for tips on creating a master bath retreat.  Happy remodeling.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed.

If you would like to receive email updates to our blog, you may Subscribe to New Homes Real Estate Blog by Email

Thanks for visiting!