KID-FRIENDLY BATHROOMS
Grab bars work for young & old
A busy household with the luxury of a kid-specific bathroom means that room can be designed in such a way that it’s efficient as well as safe for little ones. The colour palette can have a bit more whimsy — and, in order for it to grow with the child, certain add-ons can be incorporated to make the space accessible to smaller hands and heights. There are also ways to really personalize it so that it’s as much fun as it is functional.
Safety first — There can be a lot of potential hazards in the bathroom, given the hard surfaces and slippery conditions, so parents should install specific products that can enhance the space’s overall safety.
There are the basics that can be purchased at any big-box store, from bathtub thermometers and faucet covers to anti-slip bathmats, outlet covers, and the like. But other, more specific, items — including grab bars — can make a child’s bathroom doubly safe.
“Installing grab bars can help reduce the chance of falling and allow for a safe transition in and out of the bath,” said Garry Scott, vice-president of wholesale marketing and brand development for Moen. The variety of designer grab-bar styles and finishes can fully co-ordinate with the rest of the bathroom, and Moen also has grab bars with shelves that can be installed in the tub or shower to provide additional storage for shampoo, soap and toys.
A splash of style — Bathrooms have typically leaned toward the traditional side, with muted, clean colours and finishes. In a child’s space, however, the decor theme can be more bold and flashy.
“With kids’ bathrooms, designers like to spice it up with a splash of colour you typically wouldn’t use in adult bathrooms,” said Mark Wolinsky, president of WetStyle. He said popular accent colours include blues, red and pinks.
“But normally, in bathroom design overall for kids or adults, I’m seeing an interest in neutral tones and classic colours.”
Mixing and matching finishes to blend some classic design with something more contemporary is also popular when it comes to kids’ bathrooms.
“There’s been a very strong growth in modern and contemporary, but with a softer feel, so it’s a bit more transitional,” Wolinsky said. “Homeowners might put in a vanity that’s very clean and modern, and go more traditional with the tub.
“Contemporary design has certainly picked up steam over the years, and I don’t see that changing, but ... traditional is still a big part of the market.”
Creating stay ability — Although there are institutions (like daycares and community centres) that incorporate smaller versions of toilets and sinks in their children’s bathrooms, it’s rarely done in a residential context (although it is still possible). Most homeowners opt instead to integrate certain items in the bathroom that can help children “grow into” the space more easily.
“You want something that will last longer, so you can compensate with a bench or a stool near the toilet and vanity,” Wolinsky suggested. These can be free-standing or, during the construction stage of the bathroom, can be built in.
Other accessories, like handheld showers, make the bathroom more practical for children.
“Hand showers are the perfect addition to a kids’ bathroom as they can make bathing small children and washing hair much easier, especially if a little one experiences water anxiety,” Scott said. “Our Magnetix hand-held showerheads are a great option for these spaces because the magnetic dock allows the showerhead to sit lower than traditional hand showers, so it’s within reach for children to remove from the dock — and, more importantly, easily replace.”
Everyday to-do’s like bathing and brushing teeth don’t have to seem like a chore, especially for little ones, when they have a welldesigned space.
They need a bathroom that is safe, stylish, and outfitted to their needs. When these three components come together, a kids’ bathroom becomes a space that isn’t only functional for the youngsters, but for their mom and dad, too.