30 Fun, Kid-Friendly Bathroom Ideas That Will Grow Alongside Them

Bathrooms are built for everyone, but there are some features that kids prefer to see in their spaces that adults might not prioritize.

Kids' bathrooms should feel fit for purpose but enjoy funner qualities that bring joy. The goal: get the little ones excited to get ready each day or settle down for bed.

While adults might seek out decor and paint colors that help them relax for their bathroom design, playful pops of color, energizing shapes and textures, and wallpaper or toys that encourage them to make believe are all yesses when you're dreaming up a bath or shower space for a child.

If you're on the hunt for kids' bathroom ideas that'll exceed both your expectations, look no further. Below are 30 different options that sprinkle in a little (to a lot) of design magic.

Personalized Touches

One of the quickest ways to make a bathroom feel like your child's very own space is through personalization. This could be through towels and washcloths embroidered with their initials or shown through wall art or name signs. It doesn't take heavy labor, but it'll give them something that marks this off as their bathroom.

Powerful Pink Palette

Looking for the quickest way to add pizzazz to a kids' bathroom? A pink color palette is your one-way ticket. While any hue will do, there's something to be said for how much a bubblegum pink brightens a room. Mix in some funky florals and you'll have a space that even adults will envy.

Adorable Baskets

To soften up a standard adult bathroom, cute baskets with animal faces or cheerful patterns printed on can make an impact. Not only are these friendly decor items, but they're ideal for storing slippers, robes, towels, and other essentials. Tuck them away beneath sinks or have them sitting on top of shelves.

Small Details

Aside from bold wallpaper, sometimes it all comes down to small details that deem one bathroom designated for kids over another. Letter boxes with funny sayings or your kids' names spelled across them are charming, as are shadow boxes of dolls or small keepsakes. Towels and hand soap dispensers can also be swapped out for more playful options.

Playful Pops

Bathrooms for kids can be serene spaces, too. If you're after only one or two small details that'll give a playful edge, try a squiggly towel rack. An adhesive-backed version can quickly be added to a space, whereas a drilled in version will offer more stability. Add in a few more colorful features to make the room shine, like flowers, artwork, or colorful containers.

Faucet Fun

Looking for other options outside of shower curtains and bath mats to make a kids bathroom pop? Take a look at the current faucet and handles. If the space is currently laden with brushed metals and more sophisticated finishes, swap them for neon colors or pastel hues with a shiny finish. This can be done for light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and towel racks, too.

Contrasting Pops of Color

Grown-up bathrooms normally feature color palettes that blend pretty seamlessly. To put a childlike twist on this (or even a twist that simply satisfies an inner child), combine complementary or near-complementary colors. This could be bold blue with yellow or orange accents, or a green bathroom with pink details. Bring accent colors in through towel ladders or racks, cabinets, and step stools.

Stylish Sinks

Sometimes one specific part of a bathroom can lend itself to inspiring the rest of the space. Alessandro Ronfini at Demo Architects initially found the sink in this bathroom and worked based on that fixture alone.

"The idea was to work within the same warm palette and create a playful and warm feeling that would brighten up this north-facing room and contrast with the concrete floor," he says.

If you have a piece in mind you want in your kids' bathroom, see what fun pieces you can find to decorate around it.

Cute Bath Mats

Replace the raggedy, overused bath mat currently in your kids' space with something that makes a statement. These water-resistant rugs are built for this environment, but are more than a functional piece. They're a great way to infuse some personality, humor, or design, too. Matching the color palette is always a good plan, but finding a mat that contrasts can be equally as fun.

Plant Life

Numerous plants thrive in the moist and warm environment that a bathroom provides. They add life and natural touches, which is always welcome in kids' rooms. When designing for your little ones, look for plants that kids can grow, as these will be safer and nontoxic if they decide to grab or inspect these leafy additions.

Ode to One Color

A color palette dedicated to one color doesn't have to be boring, especially if you pick the right hue. Rather than calming neutrals that typically appeal to adults, opt for a monochrome bathroom in pink, yellow, green, or blue and try to stick with this theme throughout. These more saturated colors will entertain while they wash their hands or floss.

Quick Accent Wall

If you're searching for a relatively easy and quick way to spruce up a kid's bathroom that's feeling a little lackluster, try your hand at a simple accent wall. A few rolls of a bright-colored paint on a small portion of the bathroom wall can instantly add joy. Of course several accent walls and furniture items in various colors earns even more design points.

Miniaturized Bathroom

And for the tiniest of tots? A miniature bathroom with all the essentials is an adorable way to help teach little ones routine, self-care, and hygiene. Look for teeny versions of mirrors, vanities, toothbrush holders, and soap dispensers to get them started. It doesn't require any renovating, but makes such a difference in giving them their own space.

Cool Light Fixtures

Another quick idea for a child's bathroom? Adding a unique light fixture. Forget the flush-mount light or another boring built-in options and seek out a fun wall-mounted option or vanity light that strays from the standard bulbs you're used to seeing. Think about fun shapes, bright colors, and stacked bulb configurations.

Kid-Friendly Touches

The smallest toys and decorative objects can quickly transform a basic bathroom. As an example, a couple of plants and a dinosaur figurine can turn a boring place to shower into a Jurassic-themed jungle. Coral and seashells and a little bit of netting can transform the space into a beach oasis. You can get extremely creative even with just a few pieces.

Poppy Shower Curtain

If you've left the little ones with a plain white shower curtain, it might be time to reconsider. The second simplest way (after towels and bath mats) to jazz up kids' bathrooms is through a vibrant shower curtain. Pick out one that's their favorite color, pattern, or character motif and swap it in.

Coordinated Colors

Bathrooms have many opportunities for color coordination, which can speak to what kids will enjoy while also remaining aesthetically pleasing. Complement a vintage-inspired wallpaper or fun shade of paint with window treatments and lighting that match. Even towels and artwork can play a part in the color scheme. All together, these items pull the room together impeccably.

Playful but Sophisticated

Fun and vibrant don't equate to garish and clashing. With the right color and print choices, you can select peel-and-stick wallpaper, tiles, or paint shades that light up an older kid's bathroom without feeling childish. More elevated designs will grow with them over the years and are especially suitable for older kids who share a bathroom. You won't have to play favorites and choose one person's preferred color over another's.

Second-Glance Details

There are minimal details and there are those that make you do a double-take. These features are too fun to miss out on and feel right at home in a kid's bathroom. For example, a vintage wallpaper that seems subtle until you look up close to see a UFO abduction in action. It could also be a piece of artwork that makes you circle back for another peek.

Double Faucets

Marissa Buckman of Buckman Haus says, "A solution we've used for children's bathrooms, especially one shared between siblings, is the utilization of a trough sink with two faucets allowing both to use the sink at the same time."

Aside from just picking out colorful faucets or giving kids one big sink to share, consider a double configuration for ease and fewer fights.

Stain-Hiding Colors

Samantha Foster of The Pink Envelope included several features in this bathroom that are meant for kids such as the accordion-style towel rack and an easy-to-clean shower curtain.

She included "fun colors that also hide stains" as well, a smart move, particularly in rooms made for little ones. Think about patterns, shades, and prints that mask dirt and grime while also bringing in fun.

Minimalist Touches

Fans of minimalism can also create bathrooms built for kids. A deeply saturated blue or green paint color can look lovely on cabinets while the rest remains white and bright. For a tiny touch of child-friendly decor, a giant rubber duck is a must-have.

Curated Artwork

Bathrooms tend to be forgotten rooms when it comes to hanging up wall art. But this is a great strategy for making a bathroom feel more fit for kids. Abstract art, paintings of their favorite places, animal portraits, or anything with either soothing or poppy colors is a winning choice for this space.

Cute Custom Artwork

Another cute way to customize a bathroom and designate it to your child is through personal artwork. Silhouette profile portraits in playful colors are an adorable way to show your kid a little extra love. Even better is incorporating artwork in hues that match the rest of the bathroom.

Uplifting Rugs

Aside from a bath mat in front of the shower or tub, a stylish bathroom rug in front of a vanity or counter can brighten things up, too. It gives little feet a soft, comfortable place to stand and catches drips from the sink. Opt for complementary hues for extra fun contrast.

Mixed Patterns

When designing a space for kids, don't be afraid to mix patterns or throw in a wide array of colors. What might feel like a bold design choice often results in a cool combination. Whether it's chevrons and florals or a blend of all shades of the rainbow, it's all welcome.

Cute Towel Hooks

As mentioned, the tiniest details can have an impact in kids' bathrooms. Consider hanging up cute towel hooks (drilled in or adhesive) that match the theme of the space. For example, adding dragonfly, butterfly, or bug hooks is the icing on top of a garden or plant-themed bathroom.

A Great Escape

Older kids may still secretly enjoy whimsy but they still want to feel older. A bathroom can meet both of these hopes. A sophisticated wallpaper with themes that are reminiscent of travel, escape, or mythical stories feels right at home in this kind of bathroom.

An ornate mirror can also add to this. Once you get to the point of decorating teen bathrooms, there are plenty of ideas that suit those needs, too.

A Nod to Mermaids

An accent wall covered with tiles in the shape of fish — or mermaid — scales instantly adds whimsy to any bathroom. Using tile gives extra texture and shine to a bathroom that both kids and adults will appreciate. If tile is too much effort, painting on the pattern can have a similar shimmering ocean-inspired effect.

Functional and Fun

A functional bathroom by no means has to be boring. There are plenty of little features and details that can be exciting for kids and adults. Case in point? A small built-in niche serves a helpful organizational purpose for grown-ups, but kids will love that this is a small cove that hides their favorite bath toys.

Read the original article on The Spruce.