How to Design a Bathroom for a Multi-generational Home
Create an inclusive family bathroom to meet the practical needs of little ones and older relatives without sacrificing style and luxury
Sophie Baylis
19 April 2015
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
If you live in a multi-generational household, you are not alone. With many grown-up offspring staying at home for longer, or grandparents moving in to help with childcare for little ones, or because they are too frail to live alone, many of us are playing the generation game.
Although it may make sense financially, as the saying goes: three’s a crowd… And for more than two generations of your family to live successfully under the same roof, it must also work practically: for instance, what happens if you all have to share a bathroom?
Here, three experts share their practical tips on how best to configure a new bathroom to work for everyone in the family.
Professional advice from:
Kimberly Finch of Ripples
Julia Bunbury of Bathrooms by Design
Lisa Melvin of Lisa Melvin Design
Although it may make sense financially, as the saying goes: three’s a crowd… And for more than two generations of your family to live successfully under the same roof, it must also work practically: for instance, what happens if you all have to share a bathroom?
Here, three experts share their practical tips on how best to configure a new bathroom to work for everyone in the family.
Professional advice from:
Kimberly Finch of Ripples
Julia Bunbury of Bathrooms by Design
Lisa Melvin of Lisa Melvin Design
Double up
Space permitting, Julia recommends double basins, or an extra-wide one, to allow two or more family members to comfortably use the bathroom at the same time.
To further ease traffic flow at busy times, explore other considerations, too. For example, ‘If you are able to, it can be good to create a separate toilet,’ says Julia. An expert will be able to assess your options for this – whether there’s space under the stairs for a cloakroom, or how you might separate your existing loo with a new wall and door.
Explore design ideas for incorporating twin basins in your bathroom
Space permitting, Julia recommends double basins, or an extra-wide one, to allow two or more family members to comfortably use the bathroom at the same time.
To further ease traffic flow at busy times, explore other considerations, too. For example, ‘If you are able to, it can be good to create a separate toilet,’ says Julia. An expert will be able to assess your options for this – whether there’s space under the stairs for a cloakroom, or how you might separate your existing loo with a new wall and door.
Explore design ideas for incorporating twin basins in your bathroom
Choose an easy-access bath
Go for a bath that all members of your family can comfortably use. A wide ledge becomes somewhere to sit and swing your legs into the bath – much easier that stepping in – plus it can double up as seating for parents when supervising young children.
If you need additional support, add hand grips to your bath and even a neck support for extra comfort. A bath rack can be useful, too, keeping shampoos, body lotions and all other bathing paraphernalia within easy reach.
A portable bath seat is another idea; if you might need one, consider its stowed dimensions and see whether you can have a storage niche built in for when it’s not in use.
Go for a bath that all members of your family can comfortably use. A wide ledge becomes somewhere to sit and swing your legs into the bath – much easier that stepping in – plus it can double up as seating for parents when supervising young children.
If you need additional support, add hand grips to your bath and even a neck support for extra comfort. A bath rack can be useful, too, keeping shampoos, body lotions and all other bathing paraphernalia within easy reach.
A portable bath seat is another idea; if you might need one, consider its stowed dimensions and see whether you can have a storage niche built in for when it’s not in use.
Swap a bath for a shower
Trade in your bath or, if you have the space, upgrade your shower for a large walk-in version with a low-profile or flush-to-floor tray, which will offer easy, step-free access.
‘Walk-in showers with seats look stunning and are easy to use,’ says Julia Bunbury. If you are not a fan of plastic fold-down seats, consider a wide tiled ledge that blends in with the wall tiling.
Trade in your bath or, if you have the space, upgrade your shower for a large walk-in version with a low-profile or flush-to-floor tray, which will offer easy, step-free access.
‘Walk-in showers with seats look stunning and are easy to use,’ says Julia Bunbury. If you are not a fan of plastic fold-down seats, consider a wide tiled ledge that blends in with the wall tiling.
Prioritise storage
Those with young children will know that bathroom toys are inevitable. Plenty of storage means they can be stowed away when the children have gone to bed, allowing the bathroom to become a space for relaxation.
‘Think about a vanity unit with deep drawers to keep items out of sight,’ suggests Kimberly Finch. ‘Always opt for soft-close drawers, which will stop young children catching their fingers.’
Those with young children will know that bathroom toys are inevitable. Plenty of storage means they can be stowed away when the children have gone to bed, allowing the bathroom to become a space for relaxation.
‘Think about a vanity unit with deep drawers to keep items out of sight,’ suggests Kimberly Finch. ‘Always opt for soft-close drawers, which will stop young children catching their fingers.’
Make your shower adjustable
Choose a shower with a riser rail so you can quickly and easily adjust the height of the showerhead. ‘Use a water-saving showerhead, too, which helps minimise water consumption,’ suggests Lisa Melvin. Shop around for models that reduce water usage to as little as 6 litres per minute.
Choose a shower with a riser rail so you can quickly and easily adjust the height of the showerhead. ‘Use a water-saving showerhead, too, which helps minimise water consumption,’ suggests Lisa Melvin. Shop around for models that reduce water usage to as little as 6 litres per minute.
Opt for easy-to-clean materials
If you are as busy as your bathroom, you won’t want to spend lots of time cleaning. ‘Upgrade to the best shower enclosure your budget will stretch to, preferably with a factory-applied glass protection coating, which helps to reduce staining from hard water deposits,’ advises Lisa. ‘Also, choose high-quality taps and showers with a good guarantee.’
If possible, use an epoxy grout for all tiled areas, as it doesn’t crack or discolour over time. Consider a wall-hung toilet and basin, which not only keep the floor clear – making it easier to clean – but can be positioned at a height to suit individuals, making them ideal for elderly people, families with young children or wheelchair users.
If you are as busy as your bathroom, you won’t want to spend lots of time cleaning. ‘Upgrade to the best shower enclosure your budget will stretch to, preferably with a factory-applied glass protection coating, which helps to reduce staining from hard water deposits,’ advises Lisa. ‘Also, choose high-quality taps and showers with a good guarantee.’
If possible, use an epoxy grout for all tiled areas, as it doesn’t crack or discolour over time. Consider a wall-hung toilet and basin, which not only keep the floor clear – making it easier to clean – but can be positioned at a height to suit individuals, making them ideal for elderly people, families with young children or wheelchair users.
Keep flooring safe and warm
Wet floors are an issue for people of all ages, so choose anti-slip or textured tiles for the floor. ‘Underfloor heating is a great option for keeping floor tiles dry and also reducing the amount of moisture in the bathroom,’ says Kimberly. ‘Add a towel radiator with wide spaces between the rungs to allow for a number of towels to be hung and dried.’
Wet floors are an issue for people of all ages, so choose anti-slip or textured tiles for the floor. ‘Underfloor heating is a great option for keeping floor tiles dry and also reducing the amount of moisture in the bathroom,’ says Kimberly. ‘Add a towel radiator with wide spaces between the rungs to allow for a number of towels to be hung and dried.’
Big up your basin
A shallow basin may look sleek and on trend but, practically, it’s not always the best option, particularly if you have young children splashing water around. ‘If your bathroom is big enough, opt for a larger basin,’ advises Kimberly. ‘Add wall-mounted taps to create more space around the basin and for easy cleaning.’
A shallow basin may look sleek and on trend but, practically, it’s not always the best option, particularly if you have young children splashing water around. ‘If your bathroom is big enough, opt for a larger basin,’ advises Kimberly. ‘Add wall-mounted taps to create more space around the basin and for easy cleaning.’
Try touch-free taps
Touch-free sensor taps that automatically turn on when you put your hands in front of the sensor and turn off when you move your hands away are a great choice for busy basins.
‘They eliminate the problem of the tap accidentally being left on and also help less-able members of the family who may struggle with turning off taps due to arthritis or lack of strength in their hands,’ says Kimberly. ‘Mixer taps with an extended single lever are also easy to use. You can turn them on and off with an open palm or closed fist, which again is ideal for limited mobility users.’
Touch-free sensor taps that automatically turn on when you put your hands in front of the sensor and turn off when you move your hands away are a great choice for busy basins.
‘They eliminate the problem of the tap accidentally being left on and also help less-able members of the family who may struggle with turning off taps due to arthritis or lack of strength in their hands,’ says Kimberly. ‘Mixer taps with an extended single lever are also easy to use. You can turn them on and off with an open palm or closed fist, which again is ideal for limited mobility users.’
Embrace an over-bath shower
Creating a bathroom that caters to the needs of all ages is often a lesson in compromise. For small bathrooms that don’t have space for a bath and shower, solve the problem with an over-bath shower. If you have young children, for example, a bath works brilliantly because you can easily assist them. But for busy mornings, you may only have time for a quick shower. A shower-bath offers the best of both worlds in limited floor space.
Browse shower-bath combinations that don’t scrimp on style
Creating a bathroom that caters to the needs of all ages is often a lesson in compromise. For small bathrooms that don’t have space for a bath and shower, solve the problem with an over-bath shower. If you have young children, for example, a bath works brilliantly because you can easily assist them. But for busy mornings, you may only have time for a quick shower. A shower-bath offers the best of both worlds in limited floor space.
Browse shower-bath combinations that don’t scrimp on style
Do things digitally
Bring your bathroom up to date with a digital shower, allowing you to control the flow and temperature of the water at the touch of a button. Digital showers work by taking water from both the hot and cold pipes to a processing unit, where it’s thermostatically mixed to the temperature you’ve chosen, before being pumped to the shower at a flow rate selected by you.
This has many advantages, not least because you can set the precise temperature to prevent scalding. What’s more, the control panel doesn’t have to be located inside the shower enclosure, it can be installed elsewhere in the bathroom at a height that’s convenient to you and your family.
Bring your bathroom up to date with a digital shower, allowing you to control the flow and temperature of the water at the touch of a button. Digital showers work by taking water from both the hot and cold pipes to a processing unit, where it’s thermostatically mixed to the temperature you’ve chosen, before being pumped to the shower at a flow rate selected by you.
This has many advantages, not least because you can set the precise temperature to prevent scalding. What’s more, the control panel doesn’t have to be located inside the shower enclosure, it can be installed elsewhere in the bathroom at a height that’s convenient to you and your family.
Match function with style
Meeting the demands of older family members doesn’t mean your bathroom has to look and feel solely functional. A seat in the shower may become essential, for example – if so, as already suggested, incorporate one into the overall design scheme of your bathroom, as above. If you need to install support rails, too, brands such as Hewi and Ideal Standard offer design-conscious ranges.
While catering for your little ones is important, Kimberly cautions against installing too many items specifically for young children. ‘Remember that everything changes,’ she says. ‘Your children will grow up quickly.’
TELL US…
What problems have you come across when sharing a bathroom with other family members and how have you solved them? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips in the Comments below.
Meeting the demands of older family members doesn’t mean your bathroom has to look and feel solely functional. A seat in the shower may become essential, for example – if so, as already suggested, incorporate one into the overall design scheme of your bathroom, as above. If you need to install support rails, too, brands such as Hewi and Ideal Standard offer design-conscious ranges.
While catering for your little ones is important, Kimberly cautions against installing too many items specifically for young children. ‘Remember that everything changes,’ she says. ‘Your children will grow up quickly.’
TELL US…
What problems have you come across when sharing a bathroom with other family members and how have you solved them? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips in the Comments below.
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Another good feature not mentioned in the article is a mirror with a heat pad and built in lighting. Very useful if you need to apply make up straight after showering. I have underfloor heating so my towel rails are electrically heated. So three things when I go to shower. Fan, towel rail and mirror all switched on. The towel rail has a built in timer so dries the towels after use.
With wash basins I would agree that a larger one is a good idea but also avoid one that is flat bottomed with ‘corners’ - a current trend. Make sure the basin is bowl shaped so putting water in to use doesn’t have to fill the full width of the basin to get a useable depth. So wasteful and much harder to clean.