Posted on: January 22, 2009

Fit for a Teen

Avoid teenage wasteland - create a stylish, budget-friendly bathroom with timeless appeal

By Cathy Cassata
CTW Features

Popping pimples, redoing hairstyles and changing outfits - oh, the joys of being a teenager. While your teens spend hours creating their image, wouldn't it be great for them to figure it all out in their own space?

"Giving our girls their own bathroom is the best thing we ever did," says Kate Antosz, mother of three from Chicago. "It gives them their own privacy and keeps them out of our bathroom." To share in Antosz's joy, check out these tips on making your teenager's bathroom work without raiding the college fund.

Stick with the staples

Since your teen's bathroom may someday turn into a guest bathroom, Marlene Buckner, ASID, CKD, interior designer in Portland, Ore., suggests selecting timeless finishes for expensive components. She recommends neutral colors, such as white or linen for plumbing fixtures, and warm taupes or cool grays for vinyl, marmoleum or tile flooring.

"Safety is a concern for all age groups, so choosing slip-resistant flooring is important," Buckner adds. Buckner also recommends a quality cherry or maple vanity cabinet with a lifespan of 25 years. "And make sure it is 36 inches high. Those 30-inch-high bases are a thing of the past," she notes.

Consider lighting, suggests Jamie Gibbs, ASID, owner of Jamie Gibbs and Associates in New York City. "Teens are doing much more cosmetically, so the bathroom needs phenomenally good lighting," he notes, adding that lighting is reflective of wall color. "If a teen goes through a black-wall phase, that wall's going to absorb all the light, so those 100-watt bulbs need to be 120 watts."

Slaphappy

If paint isn't cutting it and borders aren't your thing, Wall Pops, Blik and other types of removable wall decals might be the answer. These peel-and-stick accents are easy to remove and clean, and cover all the bases when it comes to styles and colors. Most importantly, notes Gibbs, "If a teen wants to express his artistic abilities, not a problem, he can just peel them off and rearrange." For extra flair, try applying the decals to furniture and smooth ceilings.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Choosing a mirror is trickier than you think. Julie Rooney, ASID, owner of St. Louis-based Julie Rooney Interiors, recommends tilted mirrors. "The centers of these mirrors are easily adjustable to tilt up or down depending on how tall the kid is."

Antosz couldn't agree more. She installed a panel mirror at the height level of her daughters when they were younger. "Now that they've grown, it's lost its purpose and looks silly," she says.

Gibbs also suggests a hanging or standing magnifying mirror. "Teenagers have acne, hair that's growing out for the first time, and are new to applying makeup so they spend hours with their faces two inches from the mirror."

Up Storage Space

"Teenagers conduct their own market research in their bathroom with tons of hair products, cosmetics, blow dryers, brushes, you name it," notes Gibbs. So where do you put everything? Gibbs says counter space and vanities are essential, even in homes that style-wise call for a pedestal sink.

If your pedestal must stay, get creative, Rooney suggests. "Teens can decorate, paint, or add fabric to storage options." And if several teens share a bathroom, each one can keep a storage cart in his or her bedroom and roll it into the bathroom as needed.

Accessorize, Accessorize

You probably know about themed toilet seat covers, toilet paper holders, towels, rugs, tissue cases, toothbrush holders, and soap dispensers, but Rooney says not do forget about pictures.

"They're a simple, inexpensive way for kids to insert color, personality, style, and their interests."

If your teenagers share a Jack and Jill bathroom, their sink space is a perfect area to incorporate individual style. "They can personalize the counter tops with themed accessories and hang pictures and borders on their side of the wall," notes Rooney.

The Big Finish

"Mount brass, stainless steel, or chrome hooks into wood studs behind doors, by the shower, anywhere that might make kids more prone to hang their towels, robes, or clothes," suggests Rooney. Consider sanitary reasons too. "If we're trying to keep our teenagers clean so their faces won't break out or get infections, we don't want them using a towel that's been sitting on the floor," Gibbs points out.

And remember cabinet hardware. "You can find many find theme-oriented options from animals to sports or 1950's flowers," Buckner states. She also says to consider "a shape appropriate for the hands of the person using them."

Now that your mind is racing with fun and practical ideas, Antosz has one more piece of advice -"Watch your teenagers' grooming habits," she notes. "If I did, I would have gotten a sink with a wide enough ledge for a toothbrush holder since my middle daughter annoys her sister by leaving it on the sink ledge!"

Remember, keeping the peace is the best component to any project involving teenagers.

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