10 Essential Tips for Designing an Accessible Bathroom
Creating a bathroom space that’s stylish, practical, and accessible for everyone can feel like a balancing act. Whether you’re designing for a family home, a rental property, or a multi-residential complex, the principles of Universal Design ensure your bathroom is usable and welcoming for people of all ages, including people who have physical mobility challenges.
To help you get started, here are 10 smart universal design ideas that you can implement in your next project:
1. Accessible Bathroom Vanities
An accessible vanity ensures that everyone, including those with mobility challenges or who use wheelchairs, can comfortably use the bathroom. Choose a wall-mounted vanity that leaves open space underneath for seated users, but still provides ample countertop space for toiletries. Soft-close drawers and taps that are easy to reach and operate also make a big difference on the daily use of the bathroom.
Here at Newline Showers, we offer accessible waterproof vanities that are made with our Aquatight Waterproof Board, which helps prevent water ingress, and therefore, increasing the vanity’s life span and reducing maintenance costs.
2. Barrier Free System
Designed with Universal Design principles in mind, the ProFinish™ Barrier Free Tray is the perfect choice for accessible bathrooms in homes, apartments, and even social housing projects where ease of use is a priority.
Our ProFinish™ Barrier Free Tray removes the need for traditional screed and vinyl, and its size, fall and depth, can be fully customisable to suit your site’s requirements. The Barrier Free Tray can be installed on both timber and concrete floor and is suitable for both tile and vinyl overlay applications.
3. Wide Doorways and Ample Floor Space
Creating enough room to move around freely is key to a universally designed bathroom. Ensure the doorways are wide enough to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers. Adequate floor space around the sink, toilet, and shower allows for easier manoeuvring and ensures the bathroom is future proofed for users with changing needs.
4. Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers offer both style and function. Not only do they look sleek and modern, but they are also incredibly practical for people with limited mobility. By eliminating the step into the shower, you provide easy access for everyone, from young children to seniors. The ProFinish™ Newline Barrier Free Tray is a perfect example of this kind of thoughtful design.
5. Grab Rails
Incorporating grab rails around key areas like the shower, bathtub, and toilet provides added support without compromising on style. Our Grab Rails come in sizes 450,600 and 750mm and can be angled, straight or T-shaped. You can check our range of grab rails here.
6. Comfort-Height Toilets
Comfort-height toilets are a simple yet effective way to make the bathroom more accessible. With a slightly higher seat, these toilets are easier for individuals with limited mobility to use. They also make standing up and sitting down easier, reducing strain on the knees and back.
7. Non-Slip Flooring
Safety is key in any bathroom, especially when water and steam make surfaces slippery. Choosing a non-slip flooring material, like textured tiles or vinyl, reduces the risk of accidents and ensures the bathroom remains accessible and safe for all users.
8. Lever Handles on Taps
Traditional twist handles can be difficult for people with arthritis or limited hand strength to use. Lever-style handles are easier to grip and require less force to operate. They’re also sleek, modern, and can complement almost any bathroom aesthetic.
9. Shower Seating
A built-in bench or fold-down shower seat is a great way to ensure your bathroom design is both comfortable and accessible. Shower seating is ideal for individuals who may need to sit while bathing, and it can also double as a handy spot to store toiletries or rest while shaving.
10. Ample Lighting and Contrast
Good lighting is essential in any bathroom, but it’s especially important in a universally designed space. Install bright, even lighting throughout the bathroom, and consider adding task lighting around the mirror and vanity. Using contrasting colors between the floor and walls can also help guide users through the space, particularly those with visual impairments.
Final Thoughts
Universal design doesn’t have to sacrifice style. With thoughtful planning, you can create a bathroom that is both beautiful and functional, accommodating users of all ages and abilities. Whether it’s an accessible vanity or a barrier-free shower tray like the ProFinish™ Newline Barrier Free Tray, incorporating these universal design elements ensures your bathroom will meet the needs of every user while still looking great.
