A husband-and-wife bathroom is one that features design that's friendly for both men and women. Also called a his-and-hers bathroom, the design may be gender neutral, or it may feature some feminine and some masculine elements. Such bathrooms are common for shared spaces, hence the term husband-and-wife. However, the design is also ideal for a guest bathroom.

If you're undergoing a bathroom remodel, consider transforming it into a shared space comfortable for both genders.

Nothing feels less friendly than fighting over sink space in the morning. Therefore, a his-and-hers bathroom calls for a double vanity. While you can have two separate vanities installed, you typically see one large vanity with two sinks.

One way you can get creative with the design is in the fixtures. In this way, you can emphasize the his and hers aspects of the vanity. For example, you'll want the fixtures to be similar. However, you could choose different colors for the two sinks. One sink could feature nickel-plate fixtures with crystal accents while the other features bronzed fixtures with black accents.

Your double vanity will become a design focal point because it's likely to be the largest item of furniture in the bathroom. As such, you might consider installing unique sinks. For instance, you could emphasize the his and hers theme again with vessel sinks, one in a feminine color and the other in a masculine color.

If you prefer the gender-neutral route, consider a unique material such as granite or glass for the sinks. In fact, you can buy a vanity top that consists of a slab of heavy-duty glass that dips to form the sink. Granite sinks can feature a similar construction, or you could have granite vessels installed in your vanity top.

Both genders need mirror space for their grooming tasks. Hair, makeup, and shaving all require a good mirror and adequate lighting. So consider having an oversized mirror custom-cut to fit the entire space above your double vanity. While conventional design holds that a vanity mirror should be narrower, you can balance this out in another way.

For example, your double vanity will feature many of its own design components. In addition to the above-mentioned sink and fixtures, you'll also have the vanity top, cabinetry, and hardware. The double vanity will carry a lot of visual weight, so you can afford to extend your mirror.

The effort is worth the trouble. In addition to giving both parties enough space for their grooming tasks, the size of the mirror allows for add-ons. For instance, you might want to incorporate a wall-mount makeup or shaving mirror. You can also organize the lighting within the span of the mirror itself for an extra bit of design creativity.

When you have a walk-in shower, a glass enclosure is almost a given. Luckily, glass is as gender-neutral a material as you'll find. You can choose patterned or frosted glass if you want to tip the scales in a feminine direction. Smoked glass could do the opposite.

With a tub and shower combination, you might be considering a shower curtain. While you can find his-and-hers or gender-neutral curtains, again, glass is a natural in the latter. You have the same design options for the door as with the enclosure.

If opting for clear glass, either for a full enclosure or a shower door, pay attention to the tile of your stall. Because you'll see straight through the glass to the wall behind, you want to likewise keep the tile in your his-and-hers theme. You can always opt for plain white or another neutral shade for your tile work.

Create a bathroom that's uniquely suited to a husband and wife team or some other family configuration. Visit Monterey Glass Specialists Inc. for the glass and mirrors needed for your remodel project.