| There's no getting around it--most of us must share | | | | separate, closet-sized room if space permits. |
| bathroom space. A bathroom should be an oasis of | | | | Separate toothpaste and shampoo. When sharing a |
| calm in a hectic house. But if you share the space, | | | | bathroom space, many couples try to minimize |
| there could be more conflict than relaxation. Most | | | | spending and use of space by sharing toothpaste, |
| shared bathrooms are far from the relaxing ideal; | | | | shampoo, and other toiletries. But preferences for |
| they're often cramped, high-traffic areas. | | | | these items can be very personal. Unless your tastes |
| But it doesn't have to be this way. Whether you're | | | | are alike, you may run into conflict over which brand |
| considering a bathroom redesign project or plan to | | | | to buy. To get around this, allow space for each |
| move into a new home, here are a few design | | | | person to have separate shampoo and conditioner, |
| elements that will make the sharing experience much | | | | toothpaste, and soaps. This will prevent conflict over |
| more convenient. | | | | everything from how to squeeze the toothpaste |
| Double sinks. If you're redesigning a shared bathroom, | | | | tube to which conditioner to buy. |
| consider making room for two sinks. Think of it: you'll | | | | Enough shelving in the shower. If each person has |
| both be able to brush your teeth at the same time, | | | | separate shampoo and soap, the shower or bath can |
| and he can shave while she's putting her makeup on. | | | | start to look cluttered. The best solution is to ensure |
| Having separate sinks can also help if you have | | | | the shower has enough shelving. If you're not |
| bathroom habits that conflict with your partner's. If | | | | planning a bathroom redesign anytime soon, there are |
| one person likes a clutter-free sink and the other | | | | plenty of plastic and metal storage baskets available. |
| likes to keep toothbrush, hairbrush, and other | | | | These hang from the showerhead and can add a lot |
| grooming implements near the sink, for example, | | | | of extra storage space to any shower. These are |
| there can be conflict if the sink is shared. With two | | | | usually not expensive, and come in a variety of sizes. |
| sinks, each is free to keep their sink the way they | | | | Design that satisfies everybody. It's important that |
| like it. | | | | the colors and fixtures in your shared bathroom |
| Enough storage for all. Grooming habits and | | | | appeal to both of you. Work together to choose a |
| implements are very personal. For the sake of | | | | color scheme and design you'll both like. This could be |
| convenience and privacy, there should be separate | | | | as easy as going shopping together for shower |
| storage space for each person sharing the bathroom. | | | | curtains and towels, or as involved as working |
| If storage space is cramped or too closely shared, | | | | together on the redesign. |
| there's much more chance that grooming implements | | | | To come to an agreement, sit down together with |
| will get mixed up, used by the wrong person, or lost. | | | | some home redesign magazines. Each of you should |
| Separate storage allows each person to keep their | | | | find bathrooms you like; this will give you both an |
| personal items separate and organized, and lets each | | | | idea of the other's style and help you agree on a |
| have control over individual storage space. | | | | design. |
| A separate water closet. Nobody likes waiting for the | | | | The key to making a shared bathroom work is to |
| bathroom. With most shared bathrooms, one person | | | | keep as much separate space as possible. Separate |
| is often left waiting while the other showers and | | | | sinks, storage areas, and water closets can help |
| gets ready for the day. With a separate toilet and | | | | minimize conflict and wait time. But you'll still need to |
| bidet area, you can minimize the wait time by making | | | | work together to decide on a color scheme and |
| it possible for more than one person to use the | | | | fixtures you both like. It takes a balance of |
| bathroom at once. While some shared bathrooms | | | | compromise and individuality to design a space you'll |
| have a toilet blocked off by a screen, most people | | | | both love. |
| are more comfortable with a solid door and a | | | | |