7 Tips on How to Make an Accessible Bathroom

How do you turn your bathroom into an accessible one?

1. Clear pathways and make adequate space
2. Choose non-slip flooring options
3. Install grab bars
4. Consider tub cut outs
5. Install accessible sink and countertop

One day you can enter your bathroom and realize it’s not designed to accommodate all the needs of your family. The countertop is too high, the floor is slippery, and there’s no support when you need it. Suddenly, it dawns on you that a space that should be a place of comfort and convenience becomes a daily obstacle course.

This scenario highlights the importance of creating an accessible bathroom in Canada—a space that caters to the needs of all individuals, regardless of their mobility challenges or disabilities. In this blog post, we will explore seven tips on how to make an accessible bathroom.

Clear Pathways and Make Adequate Space

Designing an accessible bathroom starts with providing enough space for everyone to move. An obstacle-free layout is the cornerstone of any accessible bathroom as it promotes ease of movement and accessibility. This includes eliminating unnecessary furniture that may impede motion.

Keep in mind that space isn’t just about getting into the bathroom; it’s also about moving around within it. Therefore, designing your bathroom to have a 5-foot turning radius for a wheelchair is important. This means ensuring there’s enough space to make a 180-degree turn, allowing wheelchair users to navigate unhindered.

Choose Non-Slip Flooring Options

Indeed, the bathroom floor is one of the prime areas where accidents can occur due to its consistent interaction with water. Hence, the need for safe, non-slip flooring cannot be underestimated when designing an accessible bathroom.

A foolproof method of achieving this is selecting non-slip flooring options such as vinyl, rubber, and cork primarily because of their intrinsic non-slip properties. These materials offer a natural grip, making them safe underfoot even when wet. What’s more, their cushion-like feel provides additional comfort during use.

Regardless of the flooring type, routine maintenance is essential in preserving its anti-slip properties and extending its lifespan. This includes regular cleaning to remove soap residue or other slippery substances.

Install Grab Bars

Grab bars provide that extra support when balance and stability are needed the most, such as when getting in and out of the bathtub or shower or when standing from the toilet seat.

Beyond their functionality, grab bars have come a long way in terms of aesthetics. They are now available in a variety of styles and finishes, allowing you to choose ones that match your bathroom decor while offering the necessary support. Home2Stay is your go-to source for stylish and efficient grab bars in Vancouver.

These grab bars enhance the user’s independence and confidence in performing their daily routine, creating a more comfortable and accessible bathroom environment.

Consider Tub Cut Outs

Bathing should indeed be an enjoyable, soothing experience; it should never feel like an obstacle. Traditionally designed bathtubs, while aesthetically pleasing, can present significant challenges to individuals with mobility issues. The need to step over high tub walls can pose an increased risk of slips and falls, making it a safety concern for many.

One efficient solution to this problem is the tub cutouts. These are straightforward, affordable, and efficient ways to modify your bathtub for improved accessibility.

A tub cut out involves the removal or modification of a section of the tub wall. This alteration creates a passageway that facilitates safer and easier access to the tub. With a lower step, the bather can simply walk in and out, reducing the risk of mishaps substantially.

Keeping that at heart, Home2Stay provides top-notch tub cut-out products in Canada, making your bathrooms safer and more comfortable. We offer free, no-obligation assessments to determine the ideal cutout for your tub, customized quotes, and next-day installation services with Home2Stay Express. Plus, our after-sales services encompass detailed user orientation and reliable maintenance.

Install Accessible Sink and Countertop

The sink needs to be accessible too. The first rule of thumb in choosing an accessible sink is to consider the user’s needs. For individuals who use wheelchairs, wall-hung sink models are an excellent choice. Their design, which suspends the sink directly from the wall without a supporting cabinet, allows for the necessary wheelchair clearance underneath. It removes potential obstructions, providing the user with ample space to navigate and utilize the sink comfortably.

Countertops in an accessible bathroom need special attention too. While a standard countertop height may work well for people who can stand, those in a seated position require a lower workspace. Therefore, adjustable-height countertops can be a worthwhile addition. These pieces of smart furniture allow for the counter to be raised or lowered as needed, resulting in comfortable access for all users.

Choose ADA-compliant faucets

In the design of an accessible bathroom, no detail should be overlooked, not even the faucets. Faucets play a critical role in bathroom functionality, especially for individuals with limited mobility or dexterity. Hence, the choice of faucet style and design is an important consideration in constructing an accessible bathroom.

This is where ADA-compliant faucets come in. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets guidelines for faucet design to ensure accessibility for all. ADA-compliant faucets have lever handles that are easily operated using one hand and do not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The user simply needs to push the lever up or down to control the water flow and, left or right for temperature adjustment.

Key Takeaway

Following these tips on how to make an accessible bathroom is about creating a space that caters to everyone’s needs. With careful planning and thoughtful choices, you can easily increase your bathroom’s safety, usability, and beauty. Embrace these small changes, and make a difference in enhancing the quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Looking to enhance your bathroom’s safety and accessibility? At Home2Stay, we’re eager to help. Contact us today and let’s make your bathroom a comfortable and easy-to-navigate space together! We’re only one call away.