Silly Question About STEP STOOLS and New Construction Homes

Updated on November 30, 2010
M.H. asks from Denver, CO
11 answers

Since I am 5' 2" tall, it's very obvious to me that someone decided to raise the height on the bathroom countertops at some point. (new construction homes are higher than older homes) Personally I hate this, but this is not my issue today. My issue is that it seems that the step stools have not kept up with this rising countertop world... and my son who is almost 2 cannot reach the sink in his bathroom to learn how to spit when brushing his teeth. So, all the kids step stools are too short (at least that I have found) and the sitting stool I have in there now is ia bit too tall and a bit unstable. Anyone have suggestions for a step stool for him that will give him the height he needs?
(by the way he is 100% for height at 23 months, so he's not short)
Thanks!

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So What Happened?

I don't have any idea why I couldn't think of a 2 step stool on my own, but I am thankful for all of you for helping me reach that conclusion. Thanks!!

Featured Answers

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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I hear ya! I'm 5'3 and moved into new construction as well. Just last night, I had to stand on a stool to rinse the hair dye out of my hair in the sink! Crazy! When we moved in, I bought a 2 step stool from Target which does the trick for us. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

I've just sat my girls on the counter next to the sink until they were tall enough for the step stool

2 moms found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

How about a folding step stool for adults, the kind with 2 steps? I believe that would be higher than a kids step stool, but still much more stable than a sitting stool. My son used one like that at his grandma's house, and it worked fine.

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

My sister is also 5'2, she had them build a step that pulls out like a drawer on the bottom of her bathroom sink..

1 mom found this helpful

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I do home childcare, so the stool dilemma I can totally understand. While I like the "higher" counter tops (my in-laws purposely had theirs a bit higher when they remodeled their bath and kitchen to avoid bending and they are of average height), my house is a 20 year old home. We did, however do a new teeny basement bathroom that I use for daycare kids. We also did a vessel bowl sink, which makes it even higher. My little kidlets could barely reach the edge of the bowl, let alone the water and such for ease of hand-washing, without breaking the bowl sink (too much pressure and it will be damaged over time, as it is held in really by the drain area and thats really it.

But I found this great stool online at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Its tall, has a big surface area, and can fold up to slip between the sink and toilet (my bathroom is very very teeny with only enough floor space really for the door to open and close and a little more in front of the small shower and toilet..this stool has to be put away so we can close the door).

We do have a shorter regular kid stool to use with potty needs.

This stool for the sink also can hold up to 300 pounds, so I use it around the house on the weekends and evenings. It comes in black or white.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=112924&am...

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Denver on

Hi M.,
I encountered the same problem a couple of years ago when trying to potty train my twins. They couldn't reach the sink to wash their hands! I found a 2-step step that fits under the sink. The top step lifts up for storage too. I believe I found it at Target but I'm sure other stores carry them as well.

E.F.

answers from Provo on

I am 5' 2" also:) So I know how it is. I see that my solution is already on here, But I wanted to second it. I have a two step stool from Target. I love it, it works perfectly. And the lid opens, so you can store wipes or diapers or what ever you want in it.
Good luck:)
E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Denver on

I hear yah, as a 5"1" person myself I have the same issue. I recently tried to find the one a few poster's were talking about at Target and guess what? Like everything else it seems it has been recalled! So I happened to be in Home Goods the TJ Maxx store and found an adorable painted 2 step one for $17! It didn't have the storage but I am actually okay with it since I was worried about little ones fingers getting caught in it. They did have a bunch with storage as well from $19.99 to $24.99.

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I have a 'two step' stool made by Rubbermaid. It's wide and stable and holds plenty of weight. It ain't pretty though, but I use it every day! I think I bought it at Walmart or Target where you find buckets and mops and such.

My husband and I went from a 1925 dutch colonial to a brand new CH colonial. Since he's 6 foot 2, he was very pleased with the extra heights. Me, not so much! :(

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S.L.

answers from Boise on

I set my boys up on the bathroom counter to brush their teeth. Then they lean over to spit into the sink.

If you must have a step stool, look for a wooden one with two steps. They're usually quite a bit taller than the plastic ones at stores. Try looking Craigslist.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Denver on

Hi M. - I found a wood one at Target that's very sturdy. It has 2 steps and a storage compartment in the top step. It fits right up next to the cabinet and stays put. I think it cost around $30.

edit: I cant find anything recent about these step stools being recalled from Target. I checked the consumer product safety commission website cpsc.gov and the only ones recalled from Target were way back in 1998 for lead paint. There is a recall on baby bath/stool combos and some of the folding stools but these are sturdy and no recalls are noted on these.

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