For individuals with mobility challenges, a safe and functional bathroom is a must. Whether due to age or disability, issues with mobility can make the average bathroom hazardous, but by incorporating a few accessible bathroom design essentials, you can create a space that is functional, attractive, and safe. When you design your bathroom with careful thought, you can provide comfortable living and peace of mind for those with mobility issues and their family members or caregivers.
Table of Contents
- Must Have Accessible Bathroom Features
- Safety Features for Elderly Bathrooms
- Why Every Bathroom Should Be Accessible
- BMAS Can Help You Create a Beautiful, Accessible Bathroom
Must Have Accessible Bathroom Features
What must be incorporated to ensure that a bathroom is accessible? First, think about installing a walk-in bath and shower, essentials for independent self-care. If you have the budget for it, you might even consider a wet room, which is the ultimate in convenience and can be easily used by someone in a wheelchair. Think about wheelchairs when outfitting the entire bathroom. Sinks and counter tops should be the correct height to facilitate use from a wheelchair, and the bathroom should be wide enough to navigate easily. Doorways must also be wide, for ease of entry, and levers instead of doorknobs can make getting in and out of the bathroom easier. Consider, too, your storage. Storage should be accessible from a wheelchair, and this can be done using low cabinets or incorporating clever features like roll-out shelves.
Finally, remember that safety and comfort go hand in hand when designing an accessible bathroom. Features like non-slip flooring, grab rails near the bath or shower, and adequate lighting can significantly reduce the risk of falls and make everyday use more comfortable. These thoughtful additions not only improve functionality but also create a safer, more confident experience for everyone who uses the space.
Safety Features for Elderly Bathrooms
Increasingly, older people are choosing to age in place. To maintain their independence, they require features in the bathroom that can help prevent falls and facilitate the use of the facilities. Grab bars and non-slip flooring for bathrooms are two elements that should be incorporated, not just for older people, but also for the safety of anyone else who will be using the bathroom. Grab bars positioned in the shower can prevent falls, and bars near the toilet can facilitate its use. There are different types of non-slip flooring from which to choose, including textured tile, natural stone, or vinyl or rubber flooring. Good lighting is essential, because it reduces the risks of falling, and makes the bathroom more functional. A shower chair makes showering easier, and a raised toilet is more comfortable, and simpler for those with accessibility issues to manage. Another feature that provides convenience as well as safety is an adjustable shower head. A hand-held shower head is user-friendly, but there are other adjustable shower heads that offer their own benefits. A shower head on a slider bar can be moved up and down to meet the needs of individual users, and a shower head on an articulating arm can be angled for better reachability.
Why Every Bathroom Should Be Accessible
It is clear that older and disabled people need accessible bathrooms, but what about everyone else? When you design a bathroom to be accessible, you are using universal design principles that make it a space that can be used by people of all abilities. This future-proofs your home, ensuring that you will have the features you need, should you develop mobility challenges. An accessible bathroom also helps create a more welcoming place for visitors who may be older or have trouble with mobility. What’s more, making a bathroom accessible does not have to interfere with its aesthetics. And although you may not have realised it when you started looking into bathroom accessibility, having a home with accessible bathrooms increases your property value, which will be a boon if you should ever decide to sell.
By incorporating accessibility features now, you’re not just making a practical investment. You’re embracing a design philosophy that values comfort, safety, and independence for everyone. From walk-in showers and slip-resistant floors to stylish grab rails and easy-to-use fixtures, these thoughtful additions enhance daily life without compromising on style. An accessible bathroom ultimately reflects a modern approach to living, one that prioritises inclusivity, convenience, and long-term peace of mind.
BMAS Can Help You Create a Beautiful, Accessible Bathroom
When you are designing an accessible bathroom, your first concern is safety and accessibility. However, we believe that you should be able to create a bathroom that is not only safe but also aligns with your design aesthetic and complements the rest of your home. At Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, we offer a wide range of options available to help you create an accessible bathroom with the styles, colours, and finishes you want. We are specialists in bathroom design and installation, and our family business in Edinburgh, BMAS still operates from the family values and service on which our company was built. Our bathrooms are not only practical, but also beautiful, and our team is committed to helping people bathe safely and independently in their homes. We will work with you to create a bathroom design that suits you, and most bathrooms are completed within a working week. From design to completion, BMAS is with you every step of the way, and we will only sign off on a project when both you and the installation manager are pleased with the results. We hold ourselves to a high standard, and are proud of the work we do, providing quality workmanship backed by dedicated service . Visit one of our showrooms in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Hitchin to learn more, or contact us for a free home visit and quotation.