Ask an Expert: How to design a bathroom for a multi-generational home - If you live in a multigenerational household, you're not alone. With many adult offspring stay home longer, or grandparents traveling to help with child care for children, or because they are too frail to live alone, many of us are playing the generation game.
While it may make sense financially, as the saying goes: a crowd of three ... And for more than two generations of your family to live successfully in the same house, we also practically work: for example, what happens if you all have to share a bathroom?
Here, three experts share their tips on the best way to configure a new bathroom to work for everyone in the family
Professional advice from: .
Kimberly Finch Ripples
Julia Bunbury bathrooms design by
Lisa Melvin Lisa Melvin design
While it may make sense financially, as the saying goes: a crowd of three ... And for more than two generations of your family to live successfully in the same house, we also practically work: for example, what happens if you all have to share a bathroom?
Here, three experts share their tips on the best way to configure a new bathroom to work for everyone in the family
Professional advice from: .
Kimberly Finch Ripples
Julia Bunbury bathrooms design by
Lisa Melvin Lisa Melvin design
Double up
space permits, Julia recommends double basins, or extra-large to allow two or more family members to comfortably use the bathroom at the same time.
To further facilitate traffic during peak hours, to explore other considerations, too. For example, "If you are able, it can be good to create a separate WC, says Julia. An expert will be able to assess your options for this -. If there is space under the stairs cloakroom, or how you could separate your existing loo with a new wall and door
Discover design ideas for incorporating two sinks in your bathroom bathroom
space permits, Julia recommends double basins, or extra-large to allow two or more family members to comfortably use the bathroom at the same time.
To further facilitate traffic during peak hours, to explore other considerations, too. For example, "If you are able, it can be good to create a separate WC, says Julia. An expert will be able to assess your options for this -. If there is space under the stairs cloakroom, or how you could separate your existing loo with a new wall and door
Discover design ideas for incorporating two sinks in your bathroom bathroom
Meynell Hoolahan Architects
Choose an easily accessible [19459003bath]
Choose a bath that all your family members can use comfortably. A wide ledge becomes a place to rest and swing your legs in the bath - much easier than walking in - plus it can double the number of seats for parents when supervising young children.
If you need additional support, add handles to your bath and even a neck support for added comfort. Bath rack can be helpful, too, keeping shampoos, body lotions and other accessories for swimming nearby.
A portable bath seat is another idea; if you might need one, consider its stowed dimensions and see if you can have an integrated storage slot for when not in use.
Choose a bath that all your family members can use comfortably. A wide ledge becomes a place to rest and swing your legs in the bath - much easier than walking in - plus it can double the number of seats for parents when supervising young children.
If you need additional support, add handles to your bath and even a neck support for added comfort. Bath rack can be helpful, too, keeping shampoos, body lotions and other accessories for swimming nearby.
A portable bath seat is another idea; if you might need one, consider its stowed dimensions and see if you can have an integrated storage slot for when not in use.
JLB Property Developments
Swap bathroom for a shower
trade in your bath or, if you have the space, upgrade your shower for a major event in the version with a low profile or built plateau stage, which will provide easy, step-free access.
"walk-in showers with seats look great and are easy to use," said Julia Bunbury. If you are not a fan of plastic folding seats, consider a wide mosaic ledge that merges with the wall tiles.
trade in your bath or, if you have the space, upgrade your shower for a major event in the version with a low profile or built plateau stage, which will provide easy, step-free access.
"walk-in showers with seats look great and are easy to use," said Julia Bunbury. If you are not a fan of plastic folding seats, consider a wide mosaic ledge that merges with the wall tiles.
Ripples Bathrooms
Prioritize storage
Those with young children will know that toys bathroom are inevitable. Lots of storage means, they can be stored when the kids have gone to bed, the bathroom to become a relaxation area.
"Think of a cabinet with deep drawers to keep items out of sight, 'suggests Kimberly Finch. 'Always opt for soft-close drawers, which will prevent young children catch their fingers. "
Those with young children will know that toys bathroom are inevitable. Lots of storage means, they can be stored when the kids have gone to bed, the bathroom to become a relaxation area.
"Think of a cabinet with deep drawers to keep items out of sight, 'suggests Kimberly Finch. 'Always opt for soft-close drawers, which will prevent young children catch their fingers. "
Element Studios
Make your adjustable shower
Choose a shower with a rail mounting so you can quickly and easily adjust the height of the showerhead. "Use a potato water saver shower, too, which minimizes water consumption," suggests Lisa Melvin. Shop for models that reduce water consumption to as little as 6 liters per minute.
Choose a shower with a rail mounting so you can quickly and easily adjust the height of the showerhead. "Use a potato water saver shower, too, which minimizes water consumption," suggests Lisa Melvin. Shop for models that reduce water consumption to as little as 6 liters per minute.
Inge Clemente Photography
Opt for materials easy to clean
If you are as busy as your bathroom, you will not want to spend a lot of time cleaning. "Upgrading to the best shower stall your budget to expand, preferably with a glass protective coating applied at the factory, which helps reduce water deposit stains hard," advises Lisa. "Also, choose high quality taps and showers with a good warranty.
If possible, use epoxy grout for all tiled areas because it does not crack or discolor over time. Consider a toilet and wall sink, which not only keep the clear floor - making it easier to clean - but can be positioned at a height depending on the individual, which makes them ideal for older people, families with young children or people in wheelchairs [
If you are as busy as your bathroom, you will not want to spend a lot of time cleaning. "Upgrading to the best shower stall your budget to expand, preferably with a glass protective coating applied at the factory, which helps reduce water deposit stains hard," advises Lisa. "Also, choose high quality taps and showers with a good warranty.
If possible, use epoxy grout for all tiled areas because it does not crack or discolor over time. Consider a toilet and wall sink, which not only keep the clear floor - making it easier to clean - but can be positioned at a height depending on the individual, which makes them ideal for older people, families with young children or people in wheelchairs [
Modern Home Solutions
Keep warm floor and safe
wet soils are a problem for people of all ages, so choose non-slip or textured tiles for the floor. "Floor heating is a great option to keep dry floor tiles and reducing the amount of moisture in the bathroom too, says Kimberly. "Add a towel radiator with wide spaces between the bars to allow a number of towels to be hung and dried.
wet soils are a problem for people of all ages, so choose non-slip or textured tiles for the floor. "Floor heating is a great option to keep dry floor tiles and reducing the amount of moisture in the bathroom too, says Kimberly. "Add a towel radiator with wide spaces between the bars to allow a number of towels to be hung and dried.
Big your pool
A shallow pool can look stylish and trendy, but in practice it is not always the best option, especially if you have young kids splashing water around. "If your bathroom is large enough, opt for a larger pool, "advises Kimberly." Adding wall taps to create more space around the pool and for easy cleaning.
A shallow pool can look stylish and trendy, but in practice it is not always the best option, especially if you have young kids splashing water around. "If your bathroom is large enough, opt for a larger pool, "advises Kimberly." Adding wall taps to create more space around the pool and for easy cleaning.
Try touch faucets without
sensor free faucets Touch automatically rotate when you put your hands in front of sensor and turn off when you move your hands are a great choice for busy pools.
"They eliminate the problem of accidentally left on tap and also help less able members of the family who may struggle with turning off the taps due to arthritis or lack of strength in their hands" Kimberly said. "Mixing valves with an extended single lever are also easy to use. You can enable and disable them with an open palm or closed fist, which again is ideal for users of limited mobility.
sensor free faucets Touch automatically rotate when you put your hands in front of sensor and turn off when you move your hands are a great choice for busy pools.
"They eliminate the problem of accidentally left on tap and also help less able members of the family who may struggle with turning off the taps due to arthritis or lack of strength in their hands" Kimberly said. "Mixing valves with an extended single lever are also easy to use. You can enable and disable them with an open palm or closed fist, which again is ideal for users of limited mobility.
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Kissing a shower in the bath
Creating a bathroom that meets the needs of all ages is often a compromise lesson. For small bathrooms that do not have space for a bathroom and shower, the problem with bath shower. If you have young children, for example, a hot works brilliantly because you can easily help them. But for busy mornings, you can have time for a quick shower. A shower bath offers the best of both worlds in the limited floor space.
Browse shower bath that does not skimp on style
Creating a bathroom that meets the needs of all ages is often a compromise lesson. For small bathrooms that do not have space for a bathroom and shower, the problem with bath shower. If you have young children, for example, a hot works brilliantly because you can easily help them. But for busy mornings, you can have time for a quick shower. A shower bath offers the best of both worlds in the limited floor space.
Browse shower bath that does not skimp on style
Phil Kean Designs
Doing things digitally
Bring your updated bathroom with a shower Digital, allowing you to control the flow and temperature of the water at the touch of a button. digital showers are taking water from both hot and cold pipes to a processing unit where it is mixed with thermostatic temperature you have selected, before being pumped to the shower at a rate chosen by you.
This has many advantages, not least because you can adjust the precise temperature to prevent burns. In addition, the control panel must not be located inside the shower, it can be installed elsewhere in the bathroom at a height that is convenient for you and your family.
Bring your updated bathroom with a shower Digital, allowing you to control the flow and temperature of the water at the touch of a button. digital showers are taking water from both hot and cold pipes to a processing unit where it is mixed with thermostatic temperature you have selected, before being pumped to the shower at a rate chosen by you.
This has many advantages, not least because you can adjust the precise temperature to prevent burns. In addition, the control panel must not be located inside the shower, it can be installed elsewhere in the bathroom at a height that is convenient for you and your family.
alignment function with style
Reply to requests from members of the older family does not mean your bathroom has to look and feel just functional. A seat in the shower can become essential, for example - where appropriate, as already suggested, incorporate into the overall design scheme of your bathroom, like above. If you need to install the support rails, too, brands such as Ideal Standard and Hewi offer conscious design ranges.
Although catering for your children is important, Kimberly warns against installing too many items specifically for young children. "Remember that everything changes, she said. "Your children will grow up quickly."
Tell us ...
What problems have you encountered when sharing a bathroom with other family members and how did you resolve it? We want to hear your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Reply to requests from members of the older family does not mean your bathroom has to look and feel just functional. A seat in the shower can become essential, for example - where appropriate, as already suggested, incorporate into the overall design scheme of your bathroom, like above. If you need to install the support rails, too, brands such as Ideal Standard and Hewi offer conscious design ranges.
Although catering for your children is important, Kimberly warns against installing too many items specifically for young children. "Remember that everything changes, she said. "Your children will grow up quickly."
Tell us ...
What problems have you encountered when sharing a bathroom with other family members and how did you resolve it? We want to hear your experiences and tips in the comments below.