How To Make Bathrooms Work for Multiple People In Miami
Sharing your bathroom with a large family or multiple roommates can create great stress, especially in a sweaty city full of athletes, beach junkies and posh, primped socialites. Keep in mind a few basic rules and tips for decreasing discomfort in sharing intimate spaces to make your Miami bathroom a place of peace instead of a knock-down, drag-out warzone.
Respect each other's personal space and belongings. By showing respect for your roommates' property, you are essentially modeling what you would like in return. The more friendly and mindful you are, even by simply taking the bulk of your morning routine — and its associated messes — out of the bathroom entirely, the more willing your roommates will be to do the same.
Keep the bathroom as organized and clutter-free, as possible. The tidier your bathroom area is, the easier it will be to share this limited space. Take care to perhaps assign shelves or certain cabinets to each person, for ease of use and so there's never any question of whose mess or product that is.
Stick to a schedule. If you know when your bathroom time will be, you are better able to manage your time without conflict. Each person may have an assigned shower time, for instance. Simply acknowledging that you can shower at night, or that those with the earliest schedules get the bathroom first, can be a huge help. For this approach to be successful, however, all parties involved in sharing the bathroom need to be respectful of the time slot they are afforded, and be flexible whenever possible.
Remember, rules are meant to help everyone and harm nobody. When multiple individuals share the same tiny space, chaos is imminent if anyone feels ignored. Sticking to rules and respecting each other will increase the likelihood sharing the space will be successful.
Be mindful of each individual's personal bathroom habits. Each person has something they need to get done. Early in the morning, the rush to get out the door causes impatience and forgetfulness. Work to continue to respect your roommates' needs and be patient, even when pressed.
Below are some local businesses that may be able to help you get started.
The Bathroom Place
10855 S.W. 72nd St., Ste. 15
Miami, FL 33173
(305) 279 4747
bathroomplace.com
The Bathroom Place will help you get your bathroom ready to be used by the many individuals in your home.
Farrey's Showroom
3000 S.W. 28th Ln.
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
(305) 445-2244
farreys.com
Farrey's carries a variety of fixtures, lighting and bathroom décor everyone can stand behind.
Panda Kitchen & Bath
12853 S.W. 88 St.
Kendall, FL 33186
(877) 307-2632
pandakitchen.com
Panda Kitchen & Bath of Kendall showrooms contain a visually pleasing collection of bathroom cabinetry; plenty for you to choose from when remodeling your bathroom to respect the whole family's space.
Related: Moneywatch: The Best and Worst Investments for Your Home
Related: Green Remodeling Resources Help Homeowners, Contractors
For more great tricks, tips and advice about your home, visit CBSMiami.com/YourHome.
Belky Schwartz is a Miami native working as a therapist, writer and educator in South Florida. Through her work she has learned a great deal about herself and the people with which she shares her life on a daily basis. Interests for her include photography, reading, and taking in Miami's many scenic views. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
