As one of the most heavily used rooms in the home, family bathroom ideas need to fulfil a fairly comprehensive design brief, not least of all the requirement for a space that suits a variety of different ages.
Layout, heating, lighting and all the normal elements of bathroom design need to be taken into account when planning your family bathroom ideas, as well as ensuring it's still stylish – particularly if it's the only bathroom in the house.
To help you plan your new washroom, we've curated 11 family bathroom ideas that explore practical, and stylish solutions, along with expert advice on how to turn your bathroom dreams into reality.
1. Pack in plenty of bathroom storage
A family bathroom, unlike an en suite bathroom, has to house not only those toiletries you want on show, but also potentially medicines, bath toys, and lotions and potions for the whole household that you want to hide away.
It's therefore essential that you consider your bathroom storage ideas early on in the design process, and make sure you have room for everything.
When designing a family bathroom, practicality is just as important as aesthetics, says Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K'Arte Design.
"Storage is key and plenty of closed storage allows toys and toiletries used by different family members to be neatly tucked away, helping to keep the space clutter-free and calm," she explains.
As well as including generous vanity units, try creating alcoves within the walls of shower enclosures, lidded window seats, and ensure any bath surrounds and window cills are deep enough to take the inevitable clutter they will collect.
K’Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy founded by Katerina Tchevytchalova, specialising in high-end residential and commercial projects. Prior to launching her practice, Katerina spent five years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors and worked with several of London’s leading design studios.
2. Choose a shower over bath if space is limited
Whilst there is nothing in the building regulations to say how big your bathroom has to be, if it is being used by the whole family, begin with the idea that 4.5m² provides a minimum comfortable space and build on it.
Whilst it might be wise to forgo a bath in some bathrooms, this is not a good idea in a family bathroom. Standard rectangular baths measure 1700x700mm, but there are compact models available to suit small bathrooms that are still practical.
Another alternative is to combine your shower enclosure and bath and go with a shower over bath idea that includes a P-shaped bath, the design of which provides extra room when showering.
Try this Royal Bathrooms Elva 1700 x 850mm Acrylic Right Hand P-Shaped Shower Gloss White Bathtub with Shower Screen & Leg Set from B&Q in your family bathroom ideas.
3. Pay careful attention to your bathroom heating
"A well-designed family bathroom needs to tick the boxes of both style and practicality, and the right radiator plays a crucial role in achieving that," says Nick Duggan, managing director of The Radiator Centre.
"But, when selecting the perfect bathroom heating for a family bathroom, practicality must come first," advises Nick. "The space should be warm enough to ensure comfort after baths and showers, especially for little ones, while also reducing condensation and preventing dampness.
"When choosing the right type of radiator, to determine the best bathroom radiator and the size you need, we recommend using a heat calculator. Simply enter your room’s dimensions and a few details to get the required wattage. This will help you find the ideal radiator size so you can start to look at suitable styles.
"Heated towel rails are a popular choice, offering both warmth and storage, keeping towels toasty and family bathrooms free from excess moisture. The latest designs also incorporate energy-efficient technology, using up to 90% less water than more traditional designs, meaning less energy is needed to heat them up. "
Nick has over 20 years of experience in central heating and radiators, leading the team at one of the UK's largest independent suppliers.
Shop for towel radiators
A simple chrome curved towel radiator suitable for central heating systems
This matt black towel radiator is perfect for your modern family bathroom ideas
Install a traditional column radiator with integrated towel rail in traditional family bathroom ideas
4. Pick your tiles carefully
Bathroom tiling ideas are the most popular wall finish in most bathroom ideas, not least of all because they are practical in a space where water frequently makes its way onto walls and floors.
But, choosing them for a family bathroom means ticking more than just the aesthetic box says Grazzie Wilson, group brand director at Ca' Pietra.
“When choosing tiles for a family bathroom, performance should sit alongside aesthetics from the very beginning, because this is a space that needs to cope with water, movement and daily use without becoming stressful to live with.
"Porcelain remains a strong choice for floors and high-traffic areas thanks to its durability and low porosity, but it is also important to pay close attention to slip ratings, particularly in shared bathrooms where children or guests may be using the space without the same level of care," she warns.
"An R10 rating is generally suitable for most family bathrooms, offering reassurance underfoot while still feeling refined, whereas areas such as walk-in showers or zones directly around the bath may benefit from an R11 tile, especially if the floor is likely to be wet regularly. This does not mean the floor needs to feel coarse or overly textured, as many slip-rated tiles achieve their grip through subtle surface structure rather than obvious roughness," explains Grazzie.
"On walls, tiles with gentle variation in tone or finish help disguise splashes and everyday marks, making the room easier to maintain, while larger formats reduce grout lines and simplify cleaning," she recommends.
"A family bathroom works best when tiles are chosen for longevity rather than short-lived trends, creating a backdrop that feels calm and dependable, with thoughtful details such as tiled niches or half-height wall treatments adding interest without compromising how the space functions day-to-day,” she concludes.
Grazzie has worked in the interiors industry for more than a decade. At Ca’ Pietra, one of the UK’s leading stone and tile brands, she heads up creative, overseeing product collections as well as the company’s distinctive brand, look and feel.
5. Cater for all ages with the latest bathroom trends
While it's common to assume family bathroom ideas are catered around families with young children, with more and more young adults living at home for longer, it's not always the case.
If you face the predicament of creating a shared space that suits both young and older adults, why not include the popular bathroom trend of an indoor sauna in your design brief?
Perfect for a bathroom renovation where space is no object, with the right layout it's possible to include a shower, bath and sauna in order to create not just a family bathroom, but a full-on wellness retreat.
6. Choose blue for an all-round bathroom appeal
The world really is your oyster when it comes to choosing bathroom colour ideas for your family bathroom. But, if you want a space that will suit all ages, not date, and add a clean and fresh finish, you can't go wrong with blue and white.
Pick a bright shade of aqua blue and add a nautical reference with a striped wall. While you could create this look using tiles, you could also opt for bathroom wallpaper which will provide the same look, and can be hardwearing as long as you follow the application guidelines.
Or, if you choose to tackle this as bathroom painting project, make sure you use the right bathroom paint so that the finish doesn't end up with ugly watermarks that spoil your newly renovated bathroom.
This Lick Supreme Blue 08 Flat matt Multi-surface Emulsion paint from B&Q is the perfect shade of blue that is light, fresh and suitable for use in bathrooms.
7. Install a fully enclosed shower cubicle to contain splashes
While wet room ideas may seem ideal for family bathrooms, with less glass to clean and less concern that the water will splash onto non-tiled surfaces, if your children are younger, you may decide an enclosed shower cubicle is a more practical solution in the short-term.
Or, if you have older children who now prefer showers rather than baths, a generously sized built-in shower cubicle can give your family bathroom a practical but still contemporary finish.
Use a sliding shower door where space is limited, and pair with black, white and grey for a modern bathroom idea to suit all the family.
8. Select a shower that offers safe temperature control
Hot water in bathrooms is of course a necessity in family bathrooms, but having maximum control over the temperature is essential when there are children or multi-generational users involved.
Choosing the right type of shower is therefore more than just about the size of the shower head, and should instead include consideration of the control it offers. For this reason, thermostatic showers can be a sensible option in family bathroom ideas, as Karen Wise, shower expert at Triton Showers explains.
“The biggest advantage is temperature stability. Thermostatic showers minimise fluctuations, keeping changes within a few degrees. That means no more sudden blasts of hot or cold water - just consistent comfort every time you shower.
“They also simplify your routine. Once you’ve set your preferred temperature, you can ‘set and forget’, knowing it will stay just right for everyone in the household.”
Other suggestions for safety and practicality in your family bathroom ideas include:
- Soft close toilet seats
- Bathroom taps fitted with temperature regulators
- Non slip baths and shower trays
- Shower screens with curved edges
- Textured, non-slip floor coverings
- Flat-base baths to avoid slipping
- Hand-held shower head to make short work of hair washing
9. Make sure your layout works for everyone
“When designing a family bathroom, the starting point should always be how the space needs to work on a day-to-day basis," says Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Designs.
"Bathroom layout is one of the most important elements, with clear circulation, generous storage to keep clutter out of sight, and thoughtful spacing that allows the room to function smoothly whether it is being used by one person or several.
"Investing in quality sanitaryware, reliable brassware and well-designed bathing options pays off in the long term, as these elements anchor the room and help it age well, " she advises.
"A successful family bathroom balances durability with comfort, choosing materials and products that can cope with regular use without feeling overly utilitarian, so finishes that are easy to clean, surfaces that resist wear and fittings that feel solid and reassuring all play a part," says Keeley.
That said, there is absolutely no reason why they cannot also be luxurious. Include touches such as a designer towel warmer, large format or patterned tiles and bold art work or bathroom panelling ideas to ensure the space is beautiful as well as practical.
Keeley Sutcliffe is Brand Manager for award-winning British bathroom designers, BC Designs. Since 1999 the award winning company has been leading the way with its thoughtful, innovative and considered bathroom designs.
10. Use family memories for fun feature wall finishes
Prefer to make your family bathroom ideas more personal? Clever technology such as these custom printed shower panels from Showerscape means you are now able to bring your family photos to life – even in your bathroom.
And what could be more perfect than a favourite family beach providing the backdrop to your daily shower? With no grout lines to manage, larger wet wall bathroom ideas can also bring an additional practical benefit to your family bathroom, making the space easier to clean and maintain too.
11. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation
"Flexibility is an important consideration in family bathroom design, and if space allows, combining both a shower and a bathtub ensures the bathroom works for everyone," advises Katerina Tchevytchalova.
However, this can also mean a busy space with lots of moisture in the air on several occasions throughout the day. Therefore it's essential that you pay particular attention to your bathroom ventilation in order to avoid issues with condensation and bathroom mould.
Install the best bathroom extractor fans that suit the size of your room, but also look to natural ventilation options too, such as dual aspect windows or adding in rooflights for an extra flow of air.
Some final tips for your family bathroom ideas? Whilst people often consider twin basins and double-ended baths to be suited to couple's bathrooms, they actually make a lot of sense in family bathrooms too.
Twin basins really help out on those busy morning rushes in family bathrooms, allowing for two lots of teeth to be brushed or two dirty faces to be washed at the same time. Twin showers and double-ended baths serve a similar function.
"Carefully considered bathroom lighting is essential too," concludes Katerina Tchevytchalova, "with a layered approach working best – ceiling lighting for general use, task lighting around the vanity mirror, and softer, atmospheric lighting in areas like shower niches or the vanity. This allows the space to shift in mood depending on who’s using it, creating a family bathroom that feels both functional and comfortable."
