With four boys I would go for practicality and easy cleaning over style. A few suggestions:

1) Increase the number of towel rails, so each boy has their own towel rail.

2) Inset bath in a bath hob is the only way to go. Freestanding ones are difficult to clean behind unless you have lots more room

3) Consider extending the vanity bench and incorporate a large dirty linen drawer with a removable linen basket to collect dirty clothes.

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4) Extend the window the full length of the room so you get more natural light above the vanity, but with a high sill of 1500mm to minimise the chance of moisture damage to the timber.

5) The door swing is correct, but I would move it slightly away from the vanity while still allowing a towel rail behind it.

6) I would not have the wall adjacent to the shower full height as it divides up the room too much. Go for showerscreen height, or a dwarf wall with glazed screen on top.

7) Think about good lighting and ventilation. I have designd a few kids bathrooms where the light switch is combined with the fan. Whenever the light is turned on the exhaust fan turns on which reduces the chance of mould.

8) A big vanity basin combined with wall mounted taps and spouts above the vanity will reduce cleaning.

9) Even though I wouldn't put it in my own home I have had a few client requests to include a single urinal in a boys-only bathroom!

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Best of luck with your new home,

Regards

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

Wow - thanks so much for your time Dr Retro. Really appreciate your thoughts - all very valid. Mmmm, I'm with you, the urinal is not for my house either!!!

Hi Rayzar can you post your whole floor plan, I think with 4 boys you need more bathroom space, a 3 way being a good solution cheers

This is a three way bathroom, separate Toilet,Shower and Bath with vanity, plenty of room for towels this layout also includes a linen cupboard cheers

Thanks so much for your responses. Lots of useful pointers in here.

I agree about having two vanities. A good point to help things flow.

Happy for a highlight window (no view out that side of the house, only fence) but just not sure about having a vanity off the passage without a door.....??

Thanks siriuskey a good design, but the length of this layout won't work in our space.

Hi there this is just an example of what a 3 way bathroom can offer in what ever format, hoping to see more of the plan so more specific suggestions can be made cheers

I would never have a vanity basin with a cupboard under ever again, takes up too much floor space and the dampness comes into the cupboard underneath, I would choose Twin Pedestal Basins or preferably one large Pedestal.

The larger the basin area is , the easier for cleaning with a high tap,,,,so nice & spacious to do personal hand washing in...plus add a 10cm deep shelf above the basin, always keep ugly toothbrushes & T.Pastes in a cupboard or out of eye sight. Have floor tiles that are medium to dark colours never plain tiles as they show up the dust and marks.

I would put in a self supporting bath, gives the feeling of more space.

Put in a normal Non Electrical air vent, we have never had mildew on our ceiling in 35 years after having my husband install one.

Try putting Window film to stop people looking in...& also giving a good light coming in always.... Try a light curtain 3/4 way up the window,, on just the opening side.

Have cupboards overhead 30cm deep in the corner with extra towel rails under or use a 2 way full length cupboard in the corner.

Try using double rung Towel Rails where ever possible, helps towels dry out well.

Hi All,

Thanks very much for your time and thoughts. Lots of good info. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond.

We are going with a 3 way bathroom and double vanity now....

Cheers!

my suggestion includes the small hall in the bathroom and the spaces are sized more to suit four young adults sharing rather than four small children

Great Plan . May need Sky Light over the Vanity.

Hi ryzar, Ok's layout is a good three way. My suggestion is that seeing you are planning on having a bath in the ensuite you don't need a second in this bathroom.

I would remove the bath and make the shower/bathroom space into 4 shower cubicles 900 x 1m approx, 2 on each side, like you would find in a locker room, you don't even need to have the dividers but I think it's better, the shower's can still come off the wall or not, I wouldn't have those lights but have 4 down lights over each shower cubicle. I don't know what ages your boys are but they will get bigger very quickly I'am sure they will find this fun cheers

Hi Siriuskey, when I initially read this, I thought no way....! However we have thought on this for awhile as it does have merit. Thanks for thinking outside the square. I think it might be a little too much fun though...!

I have redrawn this idea taking from your ensuite,

2 x double showers as per your ensuite. additional vanity for brushing teeth shaving, towel rail below and one wall of WC.

Hand basin in WC for hands and teeth, just saying as you have 4 sons.

The double wall hung vanity has mirrored shaving cabinets above, any wall space can be used for towels.

This bathroom can be used by all ages having easy access, and a fun experience for multiple persons. cheers.

PS you could add some frosted glass for some privacy if the boys are shy, but I'am thinking locker room style would really work for them now and in the future cheers.

May need plenty of towel rails, Hooks to hang clothes up on, space for one or more laundry baskets, Will they have to dress in front of each other.?

Wow - the ideas keep on coming! All so generous with helping out. Thank you.

The boys are 1 to 7 years so a young family but I agree they will all be big quick and will be lining for that shower....! At this point in time though, I think we still need a bath in the kids zone for a few more years yet.

Perhaps bath and two showers??

I think hooks will be important (young kids find hooks easier for towels, rather than rails). A definite yes to laundry basket/s!

I did consider adding dirty laundry baskets to the linen cupboard next to the bathroom which would take care that situation. I was also thinking that they would towel off and head to the bedrooms to dress as I would and my family does, but especially with 4 boys I don't think any bathroom would cope with that number dressing at the same time cheers

Agree with Hooks rhyzar they are so much more user friendly, you could have a double shower and a bath with shower over. Not sure what climate you're in but don't over look the out door shower our kids love it and any time of year. The vanity between the showers could be a row of hooks instead. cheers

We are in regional SA.... outdoor shower is a fab idea too! They all love messy play and I encourage it, but I'm so over all the sand/dirt coming inside....

We currently have white tiles too.... staying well clear of these for the new house!

Alrighty....

Using siriuskey's last layout (image below for reference)

Replace 1 x double shower with 1 x bath. Could a corner bath work??

Remove vanity in shower/bath room for towel rails

Hinged door to bathroom, which gives space behind door for hooks. Actually as I'm typing this, just thinking if hinged door will get in the way of a shower mat...

I would prefer a hinged door on toilet too, however I think for space a cavity slider will need to be the go.

Hi rhyzar, Toilet now has door but you would lose the small hand basin which isnt a problem but possibly another spot to brush teeth, bath with shower over and double shower, linen cupboard that can take dirty and clean linen/towels. An plenty of places to hang towels.

I wouldn't go for a corner bath as they take up too much floor space, I also think the straight lines balance things better. We're getting back to Oklouise floor plan with a couple of small changes.

rhyzar perhaps send through a larger floor plan please so this all can be understood/analysed in context? how far along is the project? Good ideas here however it's assuming capacity for changing/taking over passage/access to what appears to be leading down another passage at the top of the page? Or am I missing something? Another way to do this without completely taking over passage space is to flip the powder over to the external wall which would enable natural light into it. I'd also vote for a double basin set-up. Attached sketch of this option/idea if space is restricted - dashed line shows walls of the plan you sent

Clothes line is a good idea, this is one that I have used many times in Hotels and our unit. cheers

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