It is important to equip practical and functional bathroom details when you have children in the household. Such move will not only ensure their safety and protection, it will also be more convenient and useful for everyone in the same roof. Below are practical and functional child-friendly bathroom ideas.

Double Vanities

Any parent knows that when you have multiple kids sharing one bathroom, chaos ensues—especially when everyone is trying to get ready in the morning and you’re already running late. By creating two vanity stations, this bathroom allows two kids to brush teeth at the same time and cut down on time spent waiting and fighting during the morning routine.

Double Faucets

If you love the idea of two vanities but don’t have the space in your bathroom, look for a larger sink—such as a farmhouse sink—with multiple faucets. It’s a great way to create at least two teeth-brushing stations without the extra cabinetry.

Multiple Hooks

If you have multiple kids sharing a bathroom, extra towel hooks are a must. We love this wall of hooks because every kid has a space for their towel, and there’s no excuse for leaving towels on the floor!

Whimsical Lighting

If your child’s bathroom is also the hall or guest bathroom, you likely want it to look presentable for adults and not scream kid’s bathroom when they walk in. Funky lighting is a great way to have fun without going overboard on the kid stuff. We love these hanging neon clouds. It’s funky yet stylish for a hall bath but super fun and whimsical for kids.

Step Stool

Low-standing sinks in public restrooms are a godsend for little ones washing hands, but that’s not really practical for a home bathroom. Instead, choose a step stool that helps tots reach the sink. And it doesn’t have to be a big, clunky plastic one. We love the sleek, wooden step stool in this contemporary bathroom.

Pull-Out Step

If you don’t want a step stool underfoot, you can create a secret pull-out step. The step in this bathroom pulls out from the bottom drawer. A special lid goes on top and supports up to 90 pounds. And when the child grows, the top can be removed and the drawer can be used again. Genius.

Easy-to-Reach Towels

Bathroom cabinets sometimes need to be locked to keep chemicals and cleaning supplies out of reach of small hands. If you need more space for your kids’ bath items, look for a vanity with open shelving. This bathroom has easy-to-reach and easy-to-see towels for little ones.

Easy-to-Reach Storage

If you don’t have an under-sink vanity or cabinets, invest in storage baskets. They’re a godsend for picking up bath toys and keeping them out of sight when company comes over.

Extra Built-Ins

Most modern, tiled showers have a few built-ins for soap and shampoo, but they’re normally designed to be eye-level. We love that this bathroom features a low cubby just for bath toys.

Pop of Colour

You don’t have to go overboard with a theme in a child’s bathroom. Just a pop of colour can be fun and playful. We love the monochromatic green accents in this bathroom.

Bright Countertop

If your kiddo wants lots of colour, but you don’t want to paint the walls or the cabinets, consider a bold countertop. We love the hot pink countertop in this otherwise crisp, white bathroom.

The most common complaint about remodelling is how difficult it is to stay on budget. With so many decisions, it’s hard not to spend more than you want. You will find yourself thinking about things that will allow you to cut spending on bathroom renovation by utilising your creative mind and getting smart with how you approach your design. Below are ways to save on bathroom renovation.

Retain Plumbing Details

A bathroom renovation designed around the plumbing is less difficult and less expensive. Try to center your design around keeping your sink, toilet, and shower in the same place so you can avoid moving your pipes which involves more cutting into walls and more logistics.

Mirror Framing

One of the simplest and cheapest ways to make your bathroom look amazing is to put a great looking frame around a cost effective mirror instead of buying an expensive hanging mirror. This also helps your mirror age more gracefully since the edges are covered.

Toilet Seat Upgrade

Instead of buying a whole new toilet, consider the inexpensive option of replacing only the seat, lid, and handle. If the porcelain on your current toilet is still holding up, a makeover may be a better option than a full upgrade.

Bargain Shopping

If you have the patience and talent of bargain shopping, try yard sales, vintage and antique stores, for the items you want for your new bathroom.

Open Shelving

Rather than buying all new shelving for your bathroom renovation, consider the idea of using open shelving. Where closed storage can start to get expensive, open shelves are cheaper because there’s less material needed. You can also easily build your own open shelves because it can be as simple as you want. Open shelves are a great excuse to make sure your towels and bathroom accessories match your decor since you’ll be showcasing them.

Bohemian or Minimalist Design

The brilliant thing about choosing a bohemian (boho) style for your bathroom is that boho doesn’t have any rules. Cheap fabric tapestries, mismatched textures, colours, and patterns; cluttered or minimal, everything works. The boho style is also cost effective because it plays up the distressed, antique, and vintage look. You can easily shop cheap and distress the items yourself with sandpaper or a chisel, or you can hit up a Saturday morning yard sale and get some great pieces.

Your next bathroom remodel doesn’t have to be expensive. Be open to saving money, cutting some corners and getting creative. Consider these tips while getting your design and budget ready and you’ll end up with the bathroom you want at the price you’re willing to pay.

Avail of money-saving bathroom designs from New Life Bathrooms. We are fully-licensed bathroom renovation experts that only use top quality trades to complete your new bathrooms. All materials used in the manufacture of our bathrooms will be of premier quality and with approved building standards, and all carry an individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

Sharing a home with elderly loved ones might require certain special requirements, but ensuring their safety and accessibility will definitely outweigh all minor concerns. For instance in your bathroom, in order for them to use it easily and with dignity, you must consider a design that is both safe and accessible for their convenience. Below are ways on how you can do so.

Proper Bathroom Dimensions

It is critical that the dimensions of the bathroom accommodate the needs, existing and potential, of the older adult in your life. Start with the door. It should be a minimum of 86 centimetres wide to accommodate a wheelchair. Instead of doorknobs, install levers. A sliding door can also be a stylish and accessible alternative to a regular door. You must also abide by the 1.5m turning radius. Electric wheelchairs do turn more easily, so if you don’t have the space, you can sometimes make do with less than a 5-foot turning radius. Under the sink, leave 69cm of clearance to make room for a wheelchair. Keep the top of the sink between 81 and 86 centimetres from the floor. Don’t forget to hang the mirror low enough for visibility, and tilt it from the top.

Threshold-Free Shower

A zero-threshold shower is a shower that has no curb; meaning, a wheelchair or walker can easily slide into the shower. This type of shower doesn’t always need a door, as the floor slopes down to the drain. You can also have trench drains installed around the perimeter of the shower to keep water inside the shower area. Consider installing a built-in seat for easier showering, or find a portable bath chair. And no matter the type of shower is, a non-slip floor is crucial. This can be stylish with textured tile, or even a slatted wood tray positioned over a concrete floor. Consider installing a hand-held shower head for easier cleansing control. Install controls at a level that can be easily reached by a person in a wheelchair. In addition, protect your older adult from burns by installing anti-scald mixing valves. This will keep the temperature safe when water pressure changes during a shower.

Grab Bars

Grab bars can be the last-minute save in a dangerous situation, and they can also help seniors more confidently move throughout the bathroom. Install grab bars in several locations wherein it is necessary. You can place two bars on the sidewall of a tub within standing and sitting ranges. You also need to put grab bars on all three walls in a shower and place controls if possible. Another necessary location is one next to the toilet.

Toilet

If possible, a bidet can be helpful for many elderly. Make things easier and safer, while providing dignity, by placing support bars on the outside of the toilet. In addition, install a toilet that is 43 cm off the floor.

Avail of the safe and accessible bathroom designs for your elderly from New Life Bathrooms. We are fully-licensed bathroom renovation experts that only use top quality trades to complete your new bathrooms. All materials used in the manufacture of our bathrooms will be of premier quality and with approved building standards, and all carry an individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

Bathrooms are now expected to look better than ever. It is no longer just a place to get clean, homeowners seem to want more, pushing for an area where they can relax and recharge behind closed doors. As more renovations become apparent, mistakes in renovating such home feature seem to increase as well. Below are the biggest bathroom renovation mistakes you need to avoid.

Lack of Storage

Just like every other room in the house, storage is essential. You need room for cosmetics, medicines, products, hairdryers, strengtheners, shavers, dry towel and wet towels, and the list goes on. With smart storage there is an appropriate place for everything. Vanity drawers are easier to access than doors. Over bench mirrored shaving cabinets are great for keeping items away from little fingers. You can include some wall recessed in the shower and by the bath for shampoos, soaps and the odd candle. Heated towel rails are a must for family bathrooms, they have the capacity to store lots of towels plus they will always be dry and fluffy.

Ventilation Errors

The definition of horror is finding tiny black specks of mould marching up your newly painted walls and ceilings. This is generally caused by poor ventilation. Even if you have good open able windows, you will still need an exhaust fan to extract the steam. You can also paint the walls with oil based or mould-resistant bathroom to lessen the risk of mould taking hold.

Overcrowding

Avoid overcrowding the bathroom. If you have a separate toilet close by, don’t install one in the bathroom. Maximise space as much as possible to make the room less cluttered and more comfortable. If the room is too small for a bath and a shower, the shower over the bath is preferable to cramping the room. Wall hung cabinetry and an in-wall toilet cistern will help preserve floor space.

Poor Lighting

Many of bathroom activities require good lighting. Shaving, waxing applying makeup and hair styling are difficult to do well in general ambient light. Including some well-designed task lighting is a must. In short, install a large mirror over the basin or vanity along with some lighting that directs back onto the face. There are many sleek lighting options available rather than the dated Hollywood style makeup lights.

Poor drainage

Every wet area floor requires “fall.” The floor must gently slope towards the floor waste to allow water to drain away efficiently. Large format floor tiles make this difficult particularly in a small bathroom. The tiler sets the level of fall by laying a sand and cement screed (topping) that grades toward the waste. The tiles are then laid over top. If the area is small and the tiles are large, they will be difficult to manipulate over the slope and require a lot of cuts. The maximum workable floor tile size is 300 X 300mm. If you have your hearts really set on large format tiles then consider a linear floor waste.

Avoid the biggest bathroom renovation mistakes by consulting New Life Bathrooms. We are fully-licensed bathroom renovation experts that only use top quality trades to complete your new bathrooms. All materials used in the manufacturing of our bathrooms will be of premier quality and with approved building standards, and all carry an individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

Time and time again the New Year has become our opportunity for a reboot. And arbitrary as it may be, it is indeed the time to leave behind what’s bad and embrace what’s new and good. So if you can’t imagine tackling a full renovation in one shot, a perfect place to start is in your bathroom. Whether you’ve finally had it with those pink subway tiles or are finally ready to bid adieu to that horribly leaky faucet, there’s endless design inspiration to kick-start your bathroom remodel.

Brass Finishes

Brass finishes are still a great way to add a little luxury to your bathroom life. For sure, master bathrooms would feel like a sanctuary when you incorporate those brass finishes.

Deep Soaking Tubs

Deep soaking bathtubs never go out of style. For one, they function to serve homeowners the comfort they deserve and they provide Art Deco-inspired bathroom vibes.

Integrated Lighting

Statement powder rooms are nothing new, but with the continued advancements in lighting technology, recent bathroom trends are able to integrate lighting into the architecture in increasingly exciting, effective ways.

Marbleised Wallpaper

Marbleized wallpaper in small powder rooms and alcoves are absolutely in style. It is the perfect blend of a ‘wow!’ moment while presenting a glamorous, but contemporary look.

Travertine

As trends turn towards warmer, earth tones, the bathroom is heading in that direction by shunning white marble in favour of stones with warmer hues like travertine and limestone. In this bathroom design, a warm travertine floor is paired with lots of luxurious fabric.

Framed Mirrors

You can never go wrong with a framed mirror in your bathroom. It instantly upgrades the space.

Unusual Marbles

Rich, bold, and unusual marble is a trend worth loving. People are staying away from the usual Carrera and Calcutta Gold and are taking risks on unique materials such as Zebrino, Arabascato and Paonazzo, which are like art installations when done right.

Black Tubs

Including a black freestanding tub into a bathroom design will add a bit of opulence to the space. When combined with exceptional plumbing fixtures, this makes for a striking focal point in an otherwise serene space.

Shaped Tile

The rectangle subway tile is getting pushed out of the way for funkier shapes like hexagons and scallops. Opting for a shaped tile pattern is a great way to make an impact if you aren’t willing to commit to a big color

 

Dramatic Powder Rooms

Powder rooms and small bathrooms are starting to have their own moments with drama! Adding in interesting tile as a backsplash with dark paint or using ornate wallpaper in the entire space is creating a mood that people love because it’s unexpected. And unexpected can make for an exciting experience.

Partially Tiled Walls

Rather than tiling an entire wall or just the wet areas, like the shower, bringing the tile up to a picture rail, chair rail, or halfway up a wall adds an unexpected design element to a space. It can also create a ledge or shelf for bathroom accessories and necessities.”

Brushed Brass

Brushed brass has a romantic feel and a subtle glamour that stuns against natural stone. Even as a small accent, like the frame of a mirror or the base of a sconce, brushed brass makes a major impact

Freestanding Tubs

Freestanding tubs elevate the space by giving your bathroom a modern, sculptural feel.

To ensure an up-to-date bathroom design, you must consult New Life Bathrooms. We are expert in custom designing bathrooms with utmost consideration to your vision and preferences.