Handicapped accessibility in the bathroom is often part of aging in place, but not always. Regardless of age, many of us require a bathroom that accommodates limited mobility. The key feature of an accessible bathroom is a walk-in bathtub or a custom accessible shower, sometimes called a roll in shower or curbless shower. In addition to keeping the bathroom safe, we also want to keep it stylish, functional, and comfortable. If you’re planning a handicapped bathroom remodel, here are ten design tips to help you get all the form, function, safety, and comfort you can out of your project.
1. Understand the Benefits of an Accessible Bathroom Renovation
After an injury, a chronic condition, or with age, getting around becomes difficult, and the bathroom can become a challenge. The good news is that a remodel for accessibility can make daily use much easier for anyone facing these challenges. With the right plan, and a little help from a trusted handicap bathroom installer such as FM Pro Remodeling (CAPS Certified Aging In Place Specialists), designing an accessible bathroom renovation is simple. Done well, an accessible bathroom keeps homeowners safe but remains gorgeous and functional. The goal is always the best looking handicapped accessible bathroom possible, without sacrificing safety or usability.
2. Plan Before You Call a Handicap Bathroom Contractor
The layout is critical, especially when designing for wheelchair access. Small bathrooms can be particularly challenging, so if you’re purchasing a home for yourself or a loved one who uses a wheelchair, make sure it contains a large enough bathroom for wheelchair access.
Every homeowner has different needs, and it’s vital to identify those needs before design begins. Do you prefer to shower or dislike the look of a walk-in tub? Then a custom accessible shower is the answer. The beautiful part of a curbless shower is that the tile flows seamlessly from the bathroom floor and dips down to contain the water. A custom bench is also part of the design.
Along with identifying individual needs, some planning must take place before hiring handicap bathroom installers: you’ll need another bathroom available during construction, a budget, and a contractor who understands accessible design.
3. Choose the Right Layout for a Handicap Bathroom Remodel
Accessibility looks a little different for every person, but some layout considerations are universal. Think through how the finished bathroom will look, and how it will function. Common features to plan for in a bathroom remodel handicap accessibility project include:
- A pocket door, which is much easier to open and close for anyone with limited mobility
- A smooth, level transition from the bathroom doorway into the hall or adjacent room
- A widened bathroom doorway, at least 32 inches, for wheelchair and walker access
- Grab bars near the toilet, and in the shower or bathtub
- A raised toilet seat to make sitting and standing easier
- Lowered shelves and storage
- Motion sensor lighting to eliminate searching for switches with limited mobility
- A free floating sink for wheelchair access, or a shortened vanity
*Bending down to a low sink can be painful or dangerous for those with mobility issues who are not in a wheelchair.
4. Consider a Handicap Tub to Shower Conversion
One of the most popular upgrades in any handicap bathroom renovation is a handicap tub to shower conversion. Stepping over a high tub wall is one of the most dangerous parts of an inaccessible bathroom, so replacing it with a custom roll in shower removes that hazard entirely. A well planned handicap shower conversion doesn’t have to look clinical. Seamless tile, a built in bench, mosaic tile niche, and a sleek glass panel can make the space feel like a spa. If a full accessible shower bathroom remodel isn’t in the budget yet, a low threshold walk in tub is a strong alternative that still improves safety.
5. Explore Handicap Bathroom Designs That Balance Beauty and Function
Accessible doesn’t have to mean institutional. Today’s handicap bathroom designs lean into warm tile tones, natural finishes, matte black or brushed nickel hardware, and framed grab bars that double as design elements instead of looking clinical. Choosing fixtures that are both accessible and attractive helps the bathroom feel like a natural extension of the rest of the home.
6. Know What an ADA Bathroom Remodel Really Means
A common question homeowners ask is: Does my handicapped accessible bathroom have to follow ADA guidelines? The answer is no. The Americans with Disabilities Act covers accessibility requirements in public and commercial spaces, not private homes. That said, many homeowners still choose to model their ADA compliant bathroom remodel on those same standards, since ADA measurements for door widths, grab bar height, and clearance space are tested benchmarks for safety and comfort. An experienced handicapped bathroom contractor can help you decide which ADA guidelines make sense to follow in a residential ADA bathroom renovation, even though they aren’t legally required.
7. Prioritize Grab Bars and Safety Features in Disability Bathroom Renovations
Grab bars are one of the most important safety features in any disability bathroom renovation. They should be installed about 36 inches from the ground, with one positioned behind or parallel to the toilet, and another along the wall to assist with safely entering the tub or shower. At least one more grab bar should be within arm’s reach of the entry bar, typically near the shower bench in order to sit safely.
It’s critical to check grab bars regularly and tighten them as needed. They can work loose over time. A quick check every couple of months keeps this simple safety task from ever becoming a real problem.
8. Rethink Storage for a Handicap Bathroom Renovation
During a handicap bathroom renovation, storage needs to be considered from the ground up. Shower niches and recessed shelves must be lower than in typical bathrooms.
Cabinets and drawers should be lowered to accommodate wheelchairs, and important medical supplies should be kept wherever they’re easiest to reach. Many homeowners choose to keep their most used supplies out on the counter for the sake of simplicity and speed, especially in daily use items like toiletries or medications.
9. Hire Experienced Handicap Bathroom Contractors
Not every remodeling company has real experience with handicap accessible bathrooms. Because accessible design involves precise measurements, specialized fixtures, and careful attention to safety, it’s worth seeking out handicap bathroom contractors who have a proven track record with this type of project. Ask to see examples of past accessible bathroom remodels, and don’t hesitate to ask how they approach bathroom remodeling for handicap accessibility, including layout planning, grab bar placement, and material choices that stay slip resistant without looking sterile. Look for Certified Aging In Place (CAPS) Certification.
10. Plan a Bathroom Remodel for Wheelchair Access From the Ground Up
If the bathroom needs to accommodate a wheelchair, accessibility has to be considered at every stage of the design, not added as an afterthought. A true bathroom remodel for wheelchair access requires enough turning radius for the chair, a curbless entry into the shower, lowered fixtures, and clear floor space free of obstacles. Getting this correct from the start of the design, with the help of a contractor experienced in ada bathroom remodel projects, saves time, money, and frustration down the road.
Final Thoughts on Accessible Bathroom Designs
A well planned accessible bathroom design proves that safety and style don’t have to be at odds. Whether you’re focused on a shower remodel for handicap use, a full accessible bathroom remodel, or simply want to make small updates for aging in place, the right combination of layout planning, quality materials, smart and gorgeous design, and an experienced installer will give you a bathroom that’s as beautiful as it is safe.
