Accessible bathroom design includes grab bars around toilets and showers for stability and safety.
Accessible bathroom design isn’t only installed in homes for individuals with disabilities or mobility aids. Homeowners often install accessible features so they can comfortably age in their home, guarantee that their bathroom remains slip-free, and accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. By installing accessible bathroom features before you necessarily need them, you can ensure that you won’t have to rush redesigning the room later. Creating an accessible bathroom is possible with the experienced team of T&G Builders, who understand the benefits of the following adjustments.
Large Dimensions and Smart Fixture Placement
When building a wheelchair-accessible bathroom, you must ensure the bathroom door’s dimensions are wide enough. At a minimum, the width should be 36 inches. Consider also the placement of your toilet, shower, tub, and sink, within the bathroom to ensure a person using a wheelchair has enough room to maneuver comfortably. For wheelchair users, the toilet should be positioned between two support bars 36 inches apart. A toilet seat 17 inches off the floor is the ideal height.
Curbless Shower Stall and a Handicap Shower Bench
An accessible bathroom design includes showers that are easy to get into and out of. Additionally, the person with limited mobility should be able to use the bathroom without assistance from another person. A shower stall for a wheelchair user should be at least 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The shower should have no curb, or at the very least, a rubber curb a wheelchair can roll over.
An in-shower bench is a classic way to make a shower more accessible. These features allow people to rest if standing for long periods is difficult and decreases the risk of slipping.
Hand-Held Shower Heads and Grab Bars
A hand-held shower head detachable from a slider bar increases accessibility and gives people options and autonomy when showering.
Grab bars should also be placed at an accessible height near all essential locations including:
- Toilets
- Showers
- Tubs
A grab bar provides stability and can even be designed to match the other accents in your room. An accessible bathroom design does not have to mean a clinical or boring style.
Add Clearance Under Your Sink
If you design a wheelchair-accessible sink, make sure there is at least 27 inches of clearance under the sink so the person can fit their chair in that space. The top of the sink should be about 32 to 34 inches off the floor. The mirror should also be low enough for an individual in the wheelchair to see themselves without straining.
Slip-Resistant Tile Flooring
Installing textured flooring for your bathroom can help prevent trips, slips, and falls that are even more prone to happen in wet areas like bathrooms. Even a little texture can provide the grip someone needs to avoid slipping on a slick, wet surface, potentially breaking bones and leading to long-term injuries.
Build Your Dream Home With T&G Builders
T&G Builders, located in Berlin, MD, has been a premier waterfront custom home builder and home improvement contractor serving Worcester and Sussex Counties for over 25 years. We are a locally owned and operated business known for our uncompromising commitment to quality, our passion for using innovative technology and premium materials to complete projects, and our exceptional attention to detail. In addition to building custom homes, we also specialize in remodeling your current house into your dream home! Our skilled team can assess your needs, determine the right design for your addition or improvement, and complete the entire construction process.
To see what your dream home could look like and receive a free home design, contact us today! Don’t forget to follow T&G Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Houzz.