Kids’ bathrooms offer a unique opportunity in the design process. They are spaces where personality and creativity can shine, but they also need to function well for busy families and stand the test of time as children grow.
Designer Laurie Fulkerson approaches these spaces with both creativity and practicality in mind. By balancing timeless selections with playful details, she creates bathrooms that reflect a child’s personality while still feeling thoughtful and functional for years to come.
Below, Laurie shares her approach to designing kids’ bathrooms—from selecting durable fixtures to incorporating fun design elements that can evolve over time.
When designing a kids’ bathroom, how does your approach differ from designing a primary or guest bath?
“I love designing kid bathrooms because they offer the opportunity to create a space that reflects a child’s personality while still making thoughtful selections that will grow with them over time. I always ask my clients questions about their child’s interests, daily routines, and storage needs, and I lean on my experience of raising three children to guide practical decisions that truly work for a family.
Some clients prefer for their children to be involved in the design process, while others would rather surprise them in the end. Either approach can be wonderful. No matter the process, it is always incredibly rewarding to see the children’s reactions when they walk into their new space for the first time!”
How do you design a bathroom that works for young children but can grow with them into the teen years?
“When designing kid bathrooms, I’m especially mindful of selecting plumbing fixtures that are both timeless and practical, since they are often the most expensive items to replace down the road. That includes plumbing finishes, too—there are so many beautiful options available now. Brass and polished nickel continue to be very popular, and I believe they have lasting appeal that won’t feel dated over time.
On a recent project, I selected white plumbing fixtures and loved how fresh and classic they felt—another choice that can easily grow with a child.
When choosing a faucet style, I take time to walk my clients through the differences. For example, a widespread faucet is beautiful, but may not always be the most practical option for a young child. It can be harder for little hands to adjust the handles to find the right water temperature. Thinking through those day-to-day details helps ensure the space functions as beautifully as it looks.
Storage is another key consideration. Kid bathrooms are often smaller, which can limit opportunities for larger vanities, deep drawers, or linen cabinets. In a recent project, we modified the framing plan to incorporate a linen tower in the daughter’s bathroom—something that wasn’t originally included.
Having raised two daughters, I know firsthand how storage needs increase over time. Making a few thoughtful adjustments early in the design process created a solution that will serve their family well for years to come.”
Are there design choices you make to avoid the space feeling too “juvenile” over time?
“As the design process continues, there are so many opportunities to make a child’s bathroom feel custom and unique. From tile selections and cabinet hardware to paint colors, wallpaper, and lighting, each layer helps shape the personality of the space.
I especially love incorporating colored tile, as it often becomes the foundation of the room’s design. There are so many beautiful options available, and clients are truly embracing the use of color in these spaces. That extends to paint selections as well—both for the walls and the vanity. I always bring a paint deck when we are selecting tile so clients can begin to visualize the overall design direction and see how everything works together.
If a client prefers to keep the vanity a timeless neutral, I often encourage them to introduce color or pattern on the walls instead. Paint and wallpaper are much more affordable to update down the road, making them a great place to take a creative risk.
I love using wallpaper in kid bathrooms—it’s such a fun opportunity to add character. At the same time, I’m thoughtful about scale and pattern to ensure the design will grow with the child. With the incredible range of wallpaper options available today, that has never been a challenge.
Cabinet hardware is another detail I enjoy selecting because it can be easily swapped out later. This is something clients can update on their own as their child’s tastes evolve. From hand-painted ceramic knobs to bows, birds, rope details, and other playful designs, hardware can beautifully tie the room together without requiring a large investment now—or later when they’re ready for a change.
Kid bathrooms continue to be some of my favorite spaces to design—and often the most talked-about rooms once the project is complete.”
When designed with intention, kids’ bathrooms can be both fun and functional for years to come. At Twin Construction, every detail is considered to create spaces that support everyday family life. Ready for a design transformation— we’d love to hear from you!
