Commissioning an accessible bathroom for yourself or a loved one is a significant investment.
It’s crucial to get it right, which means you need to factor in all the specifics of both the room and all of the requirements it should meet.
Generally, this can be a smooth process if you find an installer who will do the majority of the heavy lifting for you.
However, to make sure that everything is properly planned out, it is worth educating yourself on key considerations so that you can work proactively with design and installation providers.
Here are some of the key factors that you should keep in mind for accessible bathroom projects.
Space relative to your home
Generally, wider entryways into the room, space to effectively turn any wheelchairs, and room to get into baths and showers will always be a core consideration.
However, it’s also important to think about this in the context of your home layout.
If you have a slanted roof or a tenement bathroom that has been squeezed into an existing home layout, it’s going to require a specialised approach.
Get a good idea of what the ‘norm’ would be, and determine if your bathroom divulges from that norm significantly.
A good bathroom design service will factor all of these things in, but it’s worth knowing any potential quirks yourself, especially if you live in an older home.
Levers and taps
Depending on mobility requirements, you may need specialist levers or taps to make it easier for flushing, handwashing and turning on baths or showers.
While these small features may seem like things that can be added on later, it is best to install them in the bathroom from the offset to ensure that all features can work intuitively together.
You should also consider whether you need smart accessibility features like sensor-operated taps, voice-activated lighting, or temperature-controlled showers.
These can be especially helpful for those with limited dexterity or vision impairments and are best integrated during the planning and installation phase to ensure everything is compatible.
Reinforcements for support rails
Support or grab rails are vital in accessible bathrooms, and correct placement is equally key.
You’ll need to make sure the walls behind are strong enough to support body weight and that rail installation won’t interfere with existing pipework or wiring.
Again, this is something an experienced accessible bathroom installer would factor in, carrying out a wall assessment or recommending reinforcements such as plywood backings or wall blocking.
Cabinet and wall feature placement
All bathroom fittings should be easy to reach and use, whether the user is standing or seated.
That means installing sinks, mirrors, cabinets, and soap dispensers at accessible heights and avoiding overhead storage that requires stretching or reaching.
Additionally, cabinet corners with soft edges reduce the risk of injury if someone loses balance or bumps into them.
Accessible design process
If you’re designing the bathroom for someone else, it’s essential to involve the person who will be using it in a way that’s accessible for them.
That might mean providing floor plans in large print, using visual aids or 3D models, or physically walking them through the design in person or via video.
This ensures that the end result meets their needs both functionally and in terms of comfort, dignity, and independence.
