If you’re in your forever home and planning to remodel your bathroom, consider renovating with accessibility in mind. Having a safe, comfortable bathroom that is optimized for your needs in all of life’s stages is a must! Specktacular Home Remodeling can help ensure you enjoy your remodel for years to come! Mitch Speck is a NARI Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP) and is skilled in all aspects of universal design and ADA compliant residential remodeling. His knowledge is so helpful when designing your new bathroom, it allows us to incorporate universal design features to make your new space accessible for all ages and life experiences. These 7 tips will help make your bathroom safe and accessible without sacrificing style.
1. Choose a Low Threshold or Curbless Shower.
As convenient as tub/shower duos are for growing families who need to transition from tub to shower, they have a high threshold you must cross to get in. As we age, that threshold can become a danger to get in and out of daily. We have two options that are much safer for our clients who are wanting to enjoy their home as long as possible.
Option 1: Showers with thresholds that are under 2-inches tall are considered low threshold showers or walk-in showers.
Option 2: Curbless or roll-in showers, which are convenient for members of your family who may be in a wheelchair since they are able to roll straight into the shower.
We can help you decide which shower option is right for you and your family!
2. Include a Shower Bench.
A safe place to sit in the shower is vital for an age-proof bathroom design. A built-in shower seat is much easier and safer to use for anyone in a wheelchair to move from their chair to the shower. If space is limited in your shower, consider a free-standing bench seat. Either way, decreasing the amount of time you stand in the shower reduces your chances of slipping and falling.
3. Install a Handheld Shower Head.
Handheld shower heads are easily adjustable for height and, when placed adjacent to your shower bench, enable you to wash up while seated. They are great additions to any bathroom for all of life’s stages.
4. Add Grab Bars.
Not all grab bars need to be ugly, eye sores! We make sure to install grab bars that are tasteful and fit the style of your home, so they do not look out of place. We recommend adding them in both the shower and toilet area to help you safely navigate the space. Every bathroom and family has different needs, Mitch will be able to help you determine the correct amount for you!
5. Consider the Lip Around your Tub.
If you’re including a tub in your bathroom, pay attention to the width of the lip. Stepping over a wide tub surround can impair your balance and increase the chances of falling. We typically recommend a tub with a narrower edge to make getting in and out of the tub easer. With that said, some prefer a surround that includes an area wide enough to sit down. This allows you to sit on the edge and swing your legs into the tub with the assistance of a grab bar.
6. Buy a Comfort-Height Toilet.
Most toilets are less than 16-inches high while comfort-height toilets are between 17 to 19-inches high. Having a taller toilet reduces the strain on your back and knees and can help make sitting and standing much easier.
7. Ensure your Space is Well-Lit.
Good lighting comes in many forms, including recessed, vanity, lamps, and natural light. A well-lit bathroom puts less strain on your eyes and can illuminate wet spots or tripping hazards.
We hope these tips help give you ideas on how to remodel your bathroom so you and your family can enjoy it for years to come! Be sure to contact us when you’re ready to start planning your bathroom remodel!
