Kids' Bathroom Design Ideas and Mood Board from The Mindwelling

We’re in the home stretch of a long renovation journey: the guest bathroom — which I’m calling the kids’ bathroom because kids’ spaces are just more playful — is the final major project in the main part of our home. After almost two years of renovations, I can finally say that with huge relief and excitement.

The project is moving quickly, so I wanted to share the design inspiration, color palette, and progress. There’s a lot to cover, so I’ll separate this into a few posts. Today I’m focusing on inspiration and palette. We’ve used a lot of pink around the house, so for this bathroom I wanted to try something different and bold. I ended up falling for a blue and terracotta combination — the warm terracotta tones balance and enliven the deep blue in a way that feels fresh and fun.

The Color Palette

I keep private Pinterest boards for each room and collect images that capture the mood I’m after. For this bathroom I found myself pinning a lot of blues — unusual for me — and I decided to embrace it. To avoid a traditional vibe, I introduced terracotta accents to warm the space and add contrast. The result is a bold, modern palette that still feels cozy and approachable.

Floor-to-Ceiling Tile

I selected a gorgeous handmade blue tile from Fireclay Tile in the color Azul. Their tiles are handmade and cut to order in California, giving a rich, artisanal finish. I imagined this room as a sort of shiny jewel box, so we’re tiling three of the four walls from floor to ceiling, and tiling the floor as well.

I chose the 2×8 field tile and will install it vertically on the walls. On the floor I’m creating a vertical border that visually carries the wall tile down into the floor, with a herringbone pattern in the center for interest and movement. To add warmth and tie in the terracotta accents, I picked a terracotta-colored grout.

Bringing in Natural Light

The bathroom has only one small window, so to brighten the space we added two Velux sun tunnels. We used them in our master bathroom before and were impressed by how much light they deliver despite their small footprint. The mirrored interior tubing captures and amplifies daylight, which makes a big visual difference in a compact space like this.

Putting the “Kids” in Kids’ Bathroom

I wanted this bathroom to work for guests while still feeling playful. A small animal theme emerged after Arlo chose a panther (lion-looking) vase from Target, and I found a tiger wallpaper that felt like the perfect whimsical touch. We’ll use the wallpaper on just one wall so it remains a fun surprise inside the bathroom, not overwhelming the whole house.

On a lighter note, Arlo insists a dolphin will join him in the tub thanks to a scene in Mary Poppins Returns. I’m thinking an inflatable dolphin might be a fun surprise.

Fixtures and Storage

I’ll share a follow-up post about the new layout, bathtub, and cost-saving choices, but for fixtures we’re sourcing major pieces through Build.com. We’re using champagne bronze faucets for continuity with the rest of the house, a classic clawfoot tub and a navy vanity to anchor the room. I’m also hunting for a rattan shelving unit to regain some storage lost during the renovation.

Kids Bathroom Sources

Extending the Shower Curtain

I bought a favorite shower curtain, but the high ceilings in this room make it a bit short. I’m considering adding a wide macramé trim to the bottom to extend the length and add texture. It could be a charming, handmade touch that fits the playful, layered look of the room.

First and last photos by Jeff Mindell

That’s a quick design update — stay tuned next week for the layout plan and more details on fixtures, the bathtub, and how we made some budget-conscious choices. If there’s anything specific you want me to cover in the layout post, let me know!

*Indicates a product gifted for coverage. All opinions are my own.