Combining safety and design in a family bathroom

When designing a family bathroom, there are many aspects to consider: durability, ease of cleaning, and enough space for several people, to name a few. However, the most important aspect is of course safety.

Modern bathroom pieces can incorporate a range of safety features into their design, helping you avoid scalds, slips and fingers trapped in drawers. Designing a safe family bathroom doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style; there are plenty of design-led basin taps, vanity units, bathroom mirror cabinets and shower solutions featuring clever safety features.

Since the start of the pandemic, handwashing has become incredibly important, and even young children are now used to washing their hands as soon as they get home from nursery or the playground.

Basin taps featuring the cold start technology are perfect for family bathrooms; the water runs cold when the lever is in the central position, which means you can let the kids turn on the tap themselves without worrying about the water being too hot. Cold Start is also an eco-friendly option, as well as money-saving, as the boiler doesn’t fire up unnecessarily.

Many of Roca’s basin taps include the Cold Start technology, and there are designs to suit most bathroom styles. If your bathroom space is contemporary and urban, the organic shapes of the Insignia collection (pictured above) or the minimalistic design of the Naia range (pictured below) will suit perfectly. Both collections are available in Chrome, plus several other different finishes including Rose Gold, Titanium Black and Brushed Titanium Black; giving you even more design freedom!

The L20 (pictured below) and L90 collections are timeless in their design. Both ranges include basin taps with Cold Start technology, as well as bath-shower mixers and handheld showers, allowing you to coordinate all the brassware in your bathroom.

If you’re looking for something less cutting-edge, but still with a modern touch, take a look at the Cala, Atlas, Malva and Alfa collections, all featuring the Cold Start function. The Cala (pictured below) is elegant and slim in its design and the Atlas basin tap gives a slightly more robust appearance. Both the Malva and Alfa ranges are inspired by the movement of water, with tilted design details.

When it comes to showering, there are two risks to look out for: scalding and slips. Both can be addressed with clever innovations such as thermostatic showers and anti slip shower trays. Knowing that your showering space has these safety features incorporated into it will make your morning routine so much more enjoyable.

Thermostatic showers maintain the same water temperature throughout your shower; even when someone flushes the toilet or turns another tap on somewhere else in the property. The Insignia collection that we mentioned before also features thermostatic bath and shower mixers in a range of finishes, matching the basin faucet beautifully.

If you’re looking to upgrade your showering experience at the same time as installing a thermostatic shower mixer, look no further than the Puzzle collection (pictured above) of hydromassage modules which can be combined for a customised solution.

The Loft range blends modern design with classical details such as the cross-bar handles, which means it looks great in both contemporary and traditional settings. The collection features built-in thermostatic mixers with either two or one outlets.

If you’re looking to upgrade your showering experience at the same time as installing a thermostatic shower mixer, look no further than the Puzzle collection (pictured above) of hydromassage modules which can be combined for a customised solution.

The Loft range blends modern design with classical details such as the cross-bar handles, which means it looks great in both contemporary and traditional settings. The collection features built-in thermostatic mixers with either two or one outlets.

An anti-slip shower tray is a must for any showering space; whether it’s for the family bathroom or the master bedroom ensuite. We’ll take a look at two of Roca’s collections here, but there are more to explore on the website.

The Cratos shower trays (pictured above) are manufactured in Senceramic®, a new type of ceramic developed by Roca. It consists of a mix of high-quality vitreous china and enamel, creating a textured surface in the production process. This surface is what gives the Cratos shower trays their anti-slip properties, whilst also making them durable. They are available in several different sizes and finishes, complementing almost any bathroom design scheme!

The Terran collection (pictured above) of anti-slip shower trays also features a textured surface, however, these shower trays are manufactured from a mineral-and-resin mix called Stonex®. Available in White, Black and Slate, these stone-effect shower trays are superslim, and available in plenty of dimensions.

Anti slip surfaces are not just for showering spaces; anti slip baths will also give you peace of mind without the need for a bath mat. Depending on available space in your bathroom, and the style you’re wanting to achieve, you can either opt for a built-in tub or a freestanding bath.

The Carmen slipper bath is as luxurious as it is beautiful. Manufactured in cast iron and featuring traditional ball-and-claw feet, it is perfect for a vintage-inspired space. The bath’s base is anti-slip, and the exterior finish can be selected from six different colours.

A double-ended tub can be a bit more practical for a family with small children. The bath height is uniform throughout, which makes it easier to reach over, and also easier for little ones to get in and out. Roca’s bathtub offering includes three double-ended anti-slip tubs in steel, which is a practical and durable bath material. The rectangular Lun Plus for a built-in application, the Duo Plus (first picture below) available in both freestanding and built-in options, and the freestanding Art Plus (second picture below) which is available in Black or White exterior finish, and sits on a beautiful American Oak wooden platform.

And if you’re on a budget, the following three built-in bathtub options are modern and elegant in their design, and they all include anti slip bases. The Contesa (pictured below) and Carla steel baths, and the cast iron Martina range.

Adequate storage is important in all bathrooms, however, if your family includes babies, young children or people with mobility issues, keeping the floor space clutter-free is paramount from a safety point of view. Furthermore, it’s also important to store toiletries out of reach from curious little ones.

When it comes to storage units, such as bathroom mirror cabinets and vanity units, you want to maximise the space inside the drawers or cupboards, whilst also making sure that no fingers can get trapped, which can be done by opting for soft close features.

The majority of Roca’s bathroom furniture feature soft-close drawers and doors. If you’re looking for a completely new look for your space, take a look at one of Roca’s bathroom collections; the contemporary Beyond and Inspira (pictured above) ranges feature plenty of vanity unit options in different finishes. The traditional Carmen collection offers two types of vanity units, plus a tall column unit for additional storage. And the ever-popular Gap collection gives you almost unlimited choice when it comes to storage.

Another vanity unit that includes soft close drawers is the Romea, featuring a traditional-meets-modern design in two finishes, plus a matching mirror. And if you prefer a more industrial look, the Domi and Prisma collections will let you choose from a variety of configurations and finishes.

Bathroom mirror cabinets are a great way to incorporate more storage into your space whilst combining more than one functionality into the same unit. The Sol collection is a great example; not only is it a mirror and a cabinet, it also features external lighting and adjustable shelves. And if you select the Sol Premium version, there is also internal lighting and an integrated demister pads.

The modular Luna bathroom mirror cabinets come in four finishes and offer an integrated magnifying mirror, as well as the option of additional open shelving units.

When renovating a family bathroom, it is possible to create a safe and comfortable space, combined with beautiful design. Clever features such as cold start taps, thermostatic mixers and soft close drawers will give you peace of mind and turn your bathroom into a space of pure joy and relaxation for the whole family.