11 Ways to Age-proof Your Bathroom
Learn how to create a safe and accessible bathroom without sacrificing style
If you’re planning to stay in your house for the rest of your life, consider renovating your bathroom with accessibility in mind. Along with kitchens, bathrooms are one of the spaces homeowners use the most. They also happen to be wet zones, so reducing slip hazards and ensuring adequate lighting are vital when creating an age-proof bathing space.
Universal design features also make a bathroom more accessible for people of any age with a disability or an injury. These 11 ideas will help make your bathroom safe and easy to use for decades to come.
Universal design features also make a bathroom more accessible for people of any age with a disability or an injury. These 11 ideas will help make your bathroom safe and easy to use for decades to come.
Your bench may be built-in or freestanding. If space is limited in the shower, consider a seat that can flip up when not in use. Waterproof seat cushions can help soften a hard surface.
Install a handheld shower head
Handheld shower heads are easily adjustable for height and, when placed near your shower bench, enable you to wash while seated.
Handheld shower heads are easily adjustable for height and, when placed near your shower bench, enable you to wash while seated.
Add grab bars in the shower
Sturdy grab bars provide something for you to hold on to as you’re entering and exiting the shower or sitting down on a shower bench or seat. Install one on the outside of your shower and on each of your interior walls, so you can safely navigate the space.
Sturdy grab bars provide something for you to hold on to as you’re entering and exiting the shower or sitting down on a shower bench or seat. Install one on the outside of your shower and on each of your interior walls, so you can safely navigate the space.
Increase the height of your vanity unit
The standard vanity unit height is 80cm (not including the countertop). This isn’t high enough for some homeowners. Raising the cabinet height to 90cm (this is standard kitchen worktop height) can prevent you from having to hunch over as you wash.
There are two exceptions to increasing the vanity unit height. If you’re more comfortable with the standard height, don’t increase it. Or, if you want to make your the unit wheelchair-accessible, choose a counter height of around 70cm.
The standard vanity unit height is 80cm (not including the countertop). This isn’t high enough for some homeowners. Raising the cabinet height to 90cm (this is standard kitchen worktop height) can prevent you from having to hunch over as you wash.
There are two exceptions to increasing the vanity unit height. If you’re more comfortable with the standard height, don’t increase it. Or, if you want to make your the unit wheelchair-accessible, choose a counter height of around 70cm.
Buy a comfort-height toilet
Most toilets are around 38cm high. Comfort-height toilets are more like 43cm to 48cm high, which can make sitting and standing much easier. This can reduce the strain on your back and knees.
Most toilets are around 38cm high. Comfort-height toilets are more like 43cm to 48cm high, which can make sitting and standing much easier. This can reduce the strain on your back and knees.
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Think twice about glass
Few things open up a bathroom like glass walls and doors. But keep in mind that shower glass requires upkeep. You need to squeegee it frequently to avoid streak marks. This may make it less convenient for a bathroom designed for an ageing resident. There are heavy-duty types of shower glass that reduce maintenance, but expect to pay more for it.
Few things open up a bathroom like glass walls and doors. But keep in mind that shower glass requires upkeep. You need to squeegee it frequently to avoid streak marks. This may make it less convenient for a bathroom designed for an ageing resident. There are heavy-duty types of shower glass that reduce maintenance, but expect to pay more for it.
Ensure the space is well lit
The better your bathroom lighting is, the less strain on your eyes. You also don’t want to miss any wet spots that can be hidden by shadows. Good lighting comes in many forms, including recessed lighting, vanity unit lighting, lamps and natural light. You may even consider placing lighting inside an enclosed shower.
The better your bathroom lighting is, the less strain on your eyes. You also don’t want to miss any wet spots that can be hidden by shadows. Good lighting comes in many forms, including recessed lighting, vanity unit lighting, lamps and natural light. You may even consider placing lighting inside an enclosed shower.
Choose porcelain wall and floor tiles
Porcelain can last a lifetime, so chances are you won’t have to replace it as you get older. It’s also perhaps the easiest surface to clean: a wet cloth normally does the trick.
If you’re concerned about grout, look for porcelain tiles with a rectified edge. Finely cut edges allow for thin grout joints (as little as 1.5mm in some styles). You can purchase a pre-sealed grout as well.
Porcelain can last a lifetime, so chances are you won’t have to replace it as you get older. It’s also perhaps the easiest surface to clean: a wet cloth normally does the trick.
If you’re concerned about grout, look for porcelain tiles with a rectified edge. Finely cut edges allow for thin grout joints (as little as 1.5mm in some styles). You can purchase a pre-sealed grout as well.
Look for textured flooring
No matter which kind of flooring you decide to put in your bathroom, choose one that has high slip resistance. Slick tiles can increase the likelihood of an injury from a fall. You can spot a floor with good slip resistance by looking for grooves or feeling for texture. Generally speaking, the more textured a floor is, the higher its slip resistance.
No matter which kind of flooring you decide to put in your bathroom, choose one that has high slip resistance. Slick tiles can increase the likelihood of an injury from a fall. You can spot a floor with good slip resistance by looking for grooves or feeling for texture. Generally speaking, the more textured a floor is, the higher its slip resistance.
There are ways to measure a floor’s slip resistance. Tile, for example, is rated by measuring the coefficient of friction. A flooring material’s slip resistance can normally be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Go with a flush shower tray
A shower tray that’s flush to the bathroom floor minimises your risk of tripping over a step as you enter the shower. It’s also a wheelchair-accessible feature.
If you forgo a shower step, your shower floor will need to be properly sloped to allow water to drain correctly. If you do include a step, don’t make it large and bulky.
A shower tray that’s flush to the bathroom floor minimises your risk of tripping over a step as you enter the shower. It’s also a wheelchair-accessible feature.
If you forgo a shower step, your shower floor will need to be properly sloped to allow water to drain correctly. If you do include a step, don’t make it large and bulky.
Consider the lip around your bath
Pay attention to the width of the lip on a bathtub. When you have to step over a wide surround, the gap between your legs gets larger, which can impair balance and increase the chances of falling. A narrower edge can be better for getting in and out.
Pay attention to the width of the lip on a bathtub. When you have to step over a wide surround, the gap between your legs gets larger, which can impair balance and increase the chances of falling. A narrower edge can be better for getting in and out.
Alternatively, some prefer a surround that includes an area wide enough to sit on, so they can perch on the edge and swing their legs over into the bath. This is easiest to do if there’s a grab bar installed to provide support.
Tell us…
What universal design features have you installed to age-proof your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
Tell us…
What universal design features have you installed to age-proof your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
A safe place to sit in the shower is a good idea for an age-proof bathroom design. Decreasing the amount of time you stand in the shower not only eases the strain on your body, it also reduces the chances of slipping and falling. Be sure to install or buy a bench that’s large enough to comfortably sit and bathe on.