Properly designed, a children’s bathroom will not only hold up under daily use for years, but also work well through all the stages of childhood. Scale the bath to fit the needs of adults, but at the same time make it feel comfortable and appealing to children.

Pick standard-height counters, for example, while including a built-in stepping stool so children can easily wash their hands and brush their teeth. Similarly, a second, lower set of towel bars can help children pick up after themselves without compromising grown-up requirements. In the tub, install a standard-height showerhead, but include a hand-held sprayer, attached at spout level, for easy rinsing and cleanup.

The decorative elements of a kids’ bath should be equally adaptable. Keep the background simple; select an easy-care, glossy paint or a scrubbable, strippable wallpaper. This will make for easier cleanups now and quick cosmetic changes later.

Consider matching a timeless wallpaper—a simple striped pattern, for example—with a whimsical border that’s appropriate for your child’s age. When the time comes, you can easily replace the border with a more refined pattern. Bathroom accessories, from towels to toothbrush holders, constitute another group of easy-to-change, inexpensive options.