Persuading kids to brush their teeth or take a bath can be a daily battle in many homes. But by creating a space that's kid-friendly, parents can make the bathroom a place their children will love.
The whole idea is to design a bathroom that's appealing to youngsters and gives them a sense of control so they want to use it, said Diana Patterson, a Tucson-based interior designer who helps families create kid-friendly spaces.
"Safety is the main issue," Patterson said. "It's a tricky project because, of course, the children are going to grow, so it's important to use accessories that can be upgraded and changed as they do."
Some very simple and inexpensive changes can turn the bathroom into a kid-friendly space, said Patterson. Use towel hooks instead of racks. Hang hand towels on the front of cabinets for easy reach. Consider installing an attached step stool so kids can reach the counter with added stability — a very important safety element with small children.
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If you must use a free-standing step stool, make sure it's broad enough so it won't easily tip, Patterson said. Nonskid pads on the bottom of the stool will keep it from sliding.
Patterson is currently working with her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Conrad Masterson, to redesign a guest bathroom in their sprawling 2,700-square-foot Foothills home that will be shared by their two girls, ages 2 and 5, and a baby boy due in March.
The challenge for Gayle Masterson, who's also a psychiatrist, is to make the bathroom easier for the kids to use but keep the space appropriate for adult guests.
"It's important for us to make the bathroom kid-accessible but not with Winnie the Pooh all over," Masterson said, adding that she will focus much of her initial effort on doing practical things like installing towel hooks at a kid-friendly height. Long-term, Masterson said she plans to add another sink as well as build step stools into the vanity that stow away to look like cabinets.
The transformation of Masterson's plain hallway bathroom began with a new paint job in sherbet-colored hues such as mist green, banana yellow and rosy pink along with white. To make the space inviting to the children — and bring the bathroom down to their level — Patterson will create a mirrored wall across from the vanity with 12-inch beveled tiles. Resembling a checkerboard with an explosion of color in between the mirrored tiles, the design serves as both a mirror and an attractive piece of artwork that the Masterson family will enjoy for years to come.
The makeover should cost about $2,000, Patterson said.
Design experts suggest that before plunging into redecorating, decide who's going to use the bathroom most. Many second bathrooms are for the kids, but guests use them, too. So stick with neutral tones for the walls and fixtures, and add color and whimsy with accessories such as shower curtains, soap dispensers and wall stencils, Patterson said.
Parents can even ask the kids what they would like in the bathroom. Then, decide on the décor together, and, if possible, allow the kids to help decorate.
Fond vacation memories were the design inspiration for Carolyn Blair's Oro Valley home. She worked with her two daughters, ages 8 and 10, to create a space that reminds them of having fun on the beach with their father, John, who has been deployed to Iraq twice with the Army Reserves.
"They have really good memories of those vacations," Blair said. "Coupled with that, the girls love going to the beach."
Blair used seashells that the girls collected and put them in a hanging net above the tub. She created a mural on the bottom half of the bathroom wall depicting a scene on the beach and hung framed artwork that the kids made. By doing the work herself, Blair was able to re-create the bathroom for about $60.
"We all love it, especially their dad," Blair said. "The girls say, 'Mommy, I feel like I'm in the ocean.' It's not just a bathroom anymore."
» SAFETY TIPS
Create a safe and kid-friendly environment when designing a child's bathroom:
• Install cabinet and drawer locks for areas that are off-limits.
• Plug all electrical outlets.
• Use a no-slip bath mat to prevent falls.
• Keep necessary items within easy reach.
• Install single-lever faucets with temperature control valves to prevent accidental scalding.
• Mount towels, tissue dispensers and hooks at a kid-friendly height (adjust as they grow).