A Kids Bathroom Gets a Sleek Makeover Inspired by … Locker Rooms?!

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This stunning Austin, Texas bathroom is shared by two young boys and has the look of a really cool locker room — if that locker room existed in the most stylish school that ever existed. The family of four knew they wanted something more unique for their sons, ages 5 and 7. Stephanie Lindsey, one of Etch Design Group’s designers, describes the initial meeting: “The parents made it clear that they didn’t want the boys to have a bathroom that felt too cute, but instead one they could grow into.”

The result is a playful space full of small details that look integrated in the layout and overall home. The focus on materials is the first thing you see when you walk in. Stephanie Lindsey, one of Etch’s designers, says about the mix of modern and original materials: “We used materials that would have been used originally in the house, an old bungalow, mixed with some funky, unexpected materials. The tiling felt highly appropriate with the home’s architecture, and Etch went with a stripe of green clover tile from local company, Clay Imports, to accent the neutral flooring and walls. The grass-green, emerald tone felt like a nice change and meshed with the rest of the colors in the house.” 

There’s a lot to admire, from the running tile that creates visual interest, to the trough-style sink and even a bench that the homeowners found — one of the bigger nods to industrial locker room style. Lindsey adds, “The industrial pendants contribute to the overall feel of the space. The coolest feature though? The interplay of wallpaper and tile.” Rather than using plain white walls, the Etch designers hung a bird-themed wallpaper, appropriately named Aviary, that adds pattern without being overwhelming and complements the tones of the tiling. The neutral line art keeps it well integrated, allowing the emerald green accents to shine.

In order to make such a stylish bathroom functional for the kids, there’s a ton of storage, like the floor-to-ceiling shelving unit the family fit into a nook and currently use for bath toys, toiletries, and towels. Forgoing traditional double sinks, the designers used trough-style sink to match the overall aesthetic of the bathroom. But its purpose is a functional one too — ”makes it easier to wash the hands of two young kiddos!” Lindsey says. Matte black hooks and long rods provide a simple place to hang washcloths and towels, matching the look of the pendant lighting overhead.

Bathrooms are often under-appreciated, under-designed spaces for kids, but this bathroom manages to be both sophisticated, playful, and functional — the trifecta for kid spaces!