Child Friendly Bathroom Design for Commercial Spaces

Child friendly bathroom design in a commercial space starts with one question: can a child aged 2 to 8 wash their hands at the sink without help? In most public washrooms the answer is no. Counters are set for adults, and the parent ends up lifting the child over a wet basin.

This guide is written for interior designers working on restaurants, retail, museums, recreation centres and offices that receive families. It covers the decisions that make a washroom work for children without turning it into a nursery.

Start with the sink, not the decor

The sink is where a child needs independence the most. Three approaches exist:

• A lower sink dedicated to children. It works in a daycare, but it costs plumbing, counter space and a fixture adults will not use.
• A light plastic stool left on the floor. It slides, tips, gets borrowed, and staff end up removing it.
• A retractable step anchored to the floor under one sink of the row. The child pulls it out with a foot, steps up, washes, and the step folds back on its own.

The third option keeps the counter height unchanged for adults and needs no plumbing work, which is why designers use it in renovations as well as new builds.

Child friendly bathroom design: the layout

• Pick one sink in a row for the step, with room for a parent to stand beside the child, and keep the accessible sink free.
• Keep the soap and the faucet within reach of the raised child. Sensor faucets help, since small hands struggle with heavy levers.
• Think about the hand dryer or towel dispenser: a child who washes alone should be able to dry alone.
• Plan the mirror so that the child sees their face once standing on the step. It is a small detail that makes children want to use it.

Materials and finishes that last in public use

A commercial washroom is cleaned every day with strong products. Choose surfaces that tolerate water and chemicals, and avoid soft materials around the sink. For the step itself, the Klimbo K01 is made of T6061 aluminum and the K02 of 1018 steel, both with an Axalta thermoset polyester powder coat and an anti slip tread made from recycled tires. Both carry a load capacity of 370 kg (815 lb), verified by laboratory testing.

Color: match the brand or make it a feature

The standard color is RAL 7047 Telegrey, a quiet grey that disappears under most counters. On special order and for a surcharge, the K01, K02 and K03 are available in the 190 classic RAL colors and in Axalta metallic finishes. Designers use this either to blend the step into a dark vanity or to make it a visible element of a family space, in the brand color of the client.

When the slab cannot be drilled

Some floors cannot receive anchors: heated floors, leased spaces, temporary installations. The K03 is a modular aluminum stair in two levels with anti slip rubber surfaces, not anchored to the floor. It is the option for those rooms, placed at one sink of a row.

Frequently asked questions

What age group should a child friendly bathroom serve?

Children aged 2 to 8 are the ones who cannot reach a standard sink. Past that age, most children reach the counter on their own.

Does a retractable step require plumbing changes?

No. The K01 and K02 anchor to the concrete slab in front of an existing sink. Installation takes about 15 minutes and the plumbing is not affected.

Can the step match a custom color palette?

Yes. The 190 classic RAL colors and Axalta metallic finishes are available on special order, for a surcharge.

Working on a family washroom? Our page for interior designers gathers the finishes and colors, with links to the specification files.