Bathroom

Kids Bathroom Decor and Design Ideas

There are two ways you can go about decorating a kid’s bathroom. One is to make the decor non permanent so that as they grow, the decor style can easily and quickly grow with them. The second options is to go a more permanent route, and then do a big remodel and redecorate later.

Color plays a big role in kids bathroom decor ideas. For a really kids style bathroom, infuse as much color as you can. I’ll go over all the different ways you can add color below. Also look to make the bathroom as kid friendly as possible. I’ll go over solutions for the number of problems kids will have in the bathroom (everything being out of reach).

Non Permanent Design and Decor Ideas

There are a lot of non permanent and simple decor ideas you can do to quickly transform a bathroom into a kids styled one. The bathroom in picture (1) simply uses bright towels to add color and fun to a bathroom. Colorful bathroom mats and rugs are other pieces that add a kid vibes to a bathroom. And If you have a simple hanging mirror, go over it with colorful paint – ask the kids to help out.

Shower curtains take up a large amount of visual space in a bathroom. Hang up a themed, graphic, or colorful shower curtain – these are easily replaceable (Bathroom Shower Curtain Ideas: From Space Saving to Decorative Extras).

On the walls, hang up some decor accessories and bathroom wall art just like the bathroom in picture (2). These art pieces can be changed over time to suit the style and taste of your child as they grow.

More Permanent Ideas and Designs

Some other areas where color can be added include: cabinets, the walls, and the floor.

Check out the colored cabinet doors in picture (3). Even though this is for a kids bathroom, it is stylish enough to work in an ordinary one.

There are a few ways to create a kids bathroom style using the walls. I like the simplicity of the stencilled giraffe design in picture (4). This can easily be painted over once the kids have grown up. Wallpaper (themes: fishes, boats, mermaids), a colourful tile mosaic (5), or a tile border (6) are other ways to decorate the walls.

Palette Ideas for Kids Bathroom Colors

If you want to create a specific color scheme for your child, here are some general ideas. Go with light shades – making the bathroom space feel bright and airy. Blue works best for a boys bathroom , just like in the picture below (A), so does green, red, and yellow. For girls, pink is always a favourite (B). Or how about orange, yellow or mint – think pastel shades. And for a unisex bathroom – mint green and yellow are some ideal color ideas.

Have a look at the palette pictures on my post here for more bathroom color ideas.

Kid Friendly Bathroom Ideas

Everything in a bathroom is going to be high up, and out of reach for most kids. The vanity counter will be high up in a bathroom. A simple solution here is to use a kids step stool (8).

Another problem area will be the lighting, as light switches are high up for a child. Solutions include rewiring the light switches so they are on a cord that hangs down from the ceiling, low enough for a child to reach (Bathroom Lighting Ideas: A Well Designed Space). Or for those middle of night bathroom visits, a portable battery lantern can be taken from the bedroom to the bathroom. Have a look at the lantern below – these can double as night lights.

The portable night light in the picture above can be bought here.

Another child friendly bathroom idea is to hang hooks and towel railings low down, so your kids can hang up their towels on their own. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/A/B

January 31, 2014 in Bathroom

Bathroom Lighting Ideas: A Well Designed Space

One ceiling light in the bathroom won’t cut it. Not if you want a really comfortable and convenient space. There are a few areas that need specific lighting, like around the mirror or in the shower. Lighting can also help make your bathroom space feel larger. Here are the bathroom lighting ideas that will help create a well designed space.

The Power of Natural Lighting

Try and bring as much natural light as you can during the day. This means making the best use of windows just like the bathroom in picture (1). But be careful not to over do it as you don’t want to feel exposed. Frosted glass is a good idea, or using a skylight (2).

Another natural lighting idea is to use solar tubes. These are tubes that are fitted from the outside of your roof to inside the room. Sunlight is then reflected down the tube and into the bathroom in the day. You can find solar tubes that have LED rings in them so they can be turned on at night.

A Brighter Room

Make the most of your mirrors to create a bright and spacious feeling bathroom. Try and use a large one (3) or a group of small ones. Mirrors add depth to a bathroom and reflect light around – making the space feel larger. Another idea is to use glossy textures – like glossy tiles. These also help reflect light.

Ambient Bathroom Lighting

You want to have as much lighting as possible – making the bathroom a comfortable, bright and spacious place. Recessed bathroom ceiling lights are the way to go as they create a modern look. Other options include wall lights and pendant lamps.

A mini channeller is another ceiling light option. The traditional styled chandeliers will look great if you want to create a more classical or shabby chic style in your bathroom. There are also simple and modern styled chandeliers available.

If you want to go for modern light fixtures, use chrome or stainless steel. Fixtures with simple designs, with no decorative shapes or designs. Find light fixtures that are similar in style to the faucets to create a well designed bathroom.

For other design styles have a look at these mood boards for inspiration:

Bathroom Vanity Lighting

The mirror area is an important part of the bathroom. This is where all the grooming takes place. Lighting plays and important role here. When it comes to mirror lighting, also known as vanity lighting, you don’t want to have shadows casted across the face. You want even lighting. And there are a few ways to do that.

You want to have lights that are specifically for the mirror area. Fit lights close to the mirror and around as many sides as possible. One option is go the hollywood route. In makeup rooms, and backstage you’ll see mirrors that have light bulbs going all around the mirror. This creates even lighting on the face making it easier to see what’s going one.

A second option for bathroom vanity lights, and a more popular option, is to go the 2+1 route. This is when you have one light on each side of the mirror and then one light fitted right above. The side lamps are usually vertical sconces, while the one above is a horizontal sconce. The bathrooms in photos (4) and (5) have well lit vanities, even though they are only using two side lamps.

Picture (6) shows a bathroom that has soft mood lighting. Lights fitted behind frosted glass by the mirror creates a soft glow around the the space.

Shower Lighting

Another area that could do with specific lighting would be the shower. Here you can have bathroom lights fitted in the ceiling (7). Use a glass shield to prevent glare, versus a plastic one because they will yellow over time.

Other shower lighting ideas include having a modern LED shower head. Or a recessed shelf can be fitted into the shower wall to add storage. This shelf can have a light fitted in the top. For more shower lighting ideas have a look at my mood board post here: Bathroom Shower Lighting Ideas.

Mood Lighting

There are times when you want to create a more relaxing spa like setting in the bathroom. For a relaxing soak in the tub maybe. To do this you want to dim the lights as much as possible. Avoid using ceiling lights, or have them on a dimmer switch if you can.

Nothing beats the flickering flame of a candle. Scented candles add another dimension of relaxation. If you are worried about the fire hazard, fill up a bowl or glass vase with water and use floating candles.

If you want to avoid the mess that comes with using candles, then use spa lights seen in picture (8). These are waterproof LED battery powered lights. You can stick them to the walls of the tub, or they can just float around in the water.

Bathroom Lighting Fixtures For The Kids

Here are some fun things you can do for your kids during bath time:

There are glowing ducks which can found here
You can get floating lights that will create a light show under the bath water
How about throwing some glow sticks into the tub (9)

One of the problems I mentioned in my Kids Bathroom Decor and Design Ideas post is that kids have trouble reaching for things in the bathroom. One of these things is the light switch. One solution is to use a stool that can be moved over from the sink to the light switches. Or the light switch can be rewired so that a cord hangs down from the ceiling that the kids can reach. One other option is to have a portable bedroom night light. These lanterns can be taken with the kids when they go from the bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Light Safety in the Bathroom

Safety precautions need to be taken when it comes to lighting in the bathroom. Different countries have different rules – so you’ll need to check up on the rules for your local area. You’ll need to use light fixtures that are rated for the bathroom – because of the dampness, moisture and possible water contact. In the UK there are specific lighting zones in the bathroom. Bathroom light fixtures have IP ratings so you know where in the bathroom they can go. There are also specific rules on where you are allowed to have the light switches. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

For a beginner’s guide to home lighting design, have a look at my post here: The Simple Guide: Home Lighting Design Basics.

More bathroom mood board posts:

January 31, 2014 in Bathroom, Lighting

Bathroom Shower Lighting Ideas

Is there any real need to have lighting just for the showering area? Or will the normal ceiling light in the bathroom do? Well, it depends on how much comfort, relaxation, and convenience you want in the shower.

One light fitted in the middle of the bathroom isn’t good enough. I believe yes, you need shower lighting. So take a look at these bathroom shower lighting ideas for different ways of adding some light.

All Hidden Away

The go to choice would be to install recessed lights above the shower as seen in picture (2). The good thing about recessed shower lighting is that everything is hidden away in the ceiling, creating a sleek and modern look.

Another option for adding lighting in the shower is to have a recessed shelf built into the wall. This way you’ll have a place to keep all of your shampoos and soaps, but at the same time the shelf can have a recessed light fitted into the top of the cutaway – adding light to the shower area (3).

Going Fancy

For something a little more dynamic, have a look at shower heads that have LED lights in them. You can get pretty basic ones, or there are more luxurious ones that shine light around the shower – just like in picture (4).

Bringing In Daylight

A great way to add in shower lighting, at least in the day time, is to use natural lighting. Windows work great. If you plan on fitting some in, avoid having large ones as you’ll feel as if you are on display. Smaller ones are the way to go, with frosted glass.

Or to bring in even more daylight, take a look at the showers with skylights in pictures (5) and (6). The great thing about skylights is that they bring in a lot of light and keep your privacy at the same time. An alternative would be to fit solar tubes. These are tubes that go from outside of the roof, down into the shower – bringing in daylight just like in picture (7). You can find versions that have a ring light in them so they can also be turned on at night.

Safety and Choice of Light Fixtures

When you are shopping for shower lighting fixtures you want to make sure they are approved for being used in such a damp and wet area. Even if they are being used in the ceiling. All of the mist and condensation works it way up there. So check carefully when buying. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

December 20, 2013 in Bathroom, Lighting

Bathroom Shower Curtain Ideas: From Space Saving to Decorative Extras

A great space saving idea is to use a curved shower rod as seen in picture (1). This way you won’t feel too closed in when you are in the shower. A curved shower rod doesn’t take up any extra floor space – because when you draw the curtain back, it tucks away where any strait shower curtain would. You can also get a double curved rod – so that once you’ve finished showering and you open up the shower curtain, there right in front of you is your towel hanging on the second rod (2).

Another design idea that can make your bathroom feel larger is to use extra long shower curtains (3). By hanging these up closer to the ceiling, you make the room feel taller and more spacious.

Some decorative bathroom shower curtain ideas include having a fixed curtain and using tie backs just like in picture (4). Or how about having a second rod to hang up a decorative fabric curtain (5). For a more modern and contemporary look, hookless shower curtains work best (6). While a vintage and country ruffle style curtain adds a more decorative touch to the room.

One thing to remember when choosing a shower curtain is that in most bathrooms the curtain is a large item in the room. It becomes a focal point, and can play a role in determining the style and look of the room. So if you want to create a more spacious and airy feeling room, then go for lighter colors like white, cream, or light blues and green. Orange and red will create a more dynamic looking room. While darker colors like purple and black can create a more romantic and cozy looking bathroom – depending on the rest of the design and decor. And a monogrammed curtain creates a more formal and traditional looking space. 1/2/3/4/5/6