Accessible Bathrooms Can Be Both Functional and Stylish

An accessible bathroom that works for your specific needs is an essential part of any well-planned home remodel. Whether you want a roll-in shower, an accessible tub or a wet room, putting a little extra thought into the layout and products that go into your redesign can go a long way toward making it a room where you can truly take care of yourself.


Assisto bathtub shown with wheelchair user

Hack 1
Embrace Your Style

When Rosemarie Rossetti built her groundbreaking accessible home over a decade ago, options for stylish ADA-compliant appliances were few and far between. Today, leading manufacturers like Kohler and Moen have robust lines of sinks, grab bars, shower accessories and more. “There are a lot more options today that allow you to build spaces with styles that you love,” she says. Find out more about Rossetti and the Universal Design Living Laboratory at udll.com

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Go Wild with a Wet Room

Instead of using water-resistant tiles and materials only where you bathe and wash, why not make your whole bathroom water-friendly? Eric Thorstenson used mosaic tile on all his walls and floor and installed a hand-held showerhead — one of three in the room — right next to his toilet. “Having easy access to the showerhead has been very useful on the occasions where I’ve had a bladder or bowel accident,” he says.


The Assisto Bathtub

The Assisto bathtub is a sleek, ergonomic option for anyone looking for an accessible tub. Thanks to a zero-gravity sliding vertical door and an elevated base, the Assisto bathtub is ideal for transferring. Exterior handles give you extra stability, and easy touch controls make for an effortless bathing experience. If you decide to splurge, air jets, a heated backrest and chromatherapy options are available. Assistocollection.com.

Assisto bathtub shown with wheelchair user

SureHands Ceiling Lifts

If you can’t transfer independently, are tired of transfers, or are simply looking for an easier, faster way to get to the toilet or bathtub, a SureHands ceiling lift could be the solution. SureHands offers a number of ceiling track installation options that are designed for all types of needs and spaces, including The Freedom Bridge, which requires no ceiling or wall modifications. Their ceiling motor even allows for independent transferring.
SureHands.com.

Modular Roll-In Shower

Designing and building a custom roll-in shower can be a pricey, complicated and time-consuming endeavor. Modular roll-in showers, like those designed by Renovative Bath Systems, remove the hassle while still delivering on access. The elegant-looking 60-by-32-inch stalls come in five pieces that can be installed in one to two days, making them a great option to replace an outdated tub or tub/shower combo. Renovativebath.com.


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Kathy
1 year ago

Don’t forget a wheelchair accessible sink (with an insulated trap to avoid burns) and set the mirror either all the way down to the sink, or tilted down. We put in a lowered medicine chest (with mirror) to make it more accessible. Consider a bidet seat for the toilet to make clean up easier if that will work for you with transfers, etc. Don’t automatically purchase an “ADA height” toilet if you use a rolling shower/commode unless you check that your chair will fit over the toilet with enough space to get your hand underneath if you do dig stim. Don’t forget appropriately anchored grab bars either.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kathy
Patricia
Patricia
1 year ago

We installed two glass doors on an existing shower stall space and removed the curb to allow roll in access. With the doors open while showering the glass protects the room walls and keeps them from getting wet.

Cheryl S
Cheryl S
1 year ago

Your URL is incorrect. It should be http://www.renovativebath.com