Accessible bathroom design isn’t just for people with mobility challenges today — it’s for everyone who plans to stay in their home for the next twenty or thirty years. The choices you make in a renovation now can determine how well your home serves you as you age, and how safe it is for guests and family members at every stage of life.
A curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower is one of the most impactful accessibility improvements you can make. Eliminating the step in and out of a shower removes a major fall risk and makes the shower genuinely usable for people using walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. It also happens to be a design trend that looks great in any bathroom.
Comfort height toilets — those set a few inches higher than standard — are easier and safer for most adults, particularly older users. Installing one during a renovation costs no more than a standard toilet and makes a meaningful difference in daily use.
As discussed in our grab bar post, proper grab bar installation requires blocking in the walls. If you’re renovating, this is the time to add that blocking — even if you don’t install bars immediately. The cost of doing it now is far lower than opening the tile later.
A standard bathroom door is 24 to 30 inches wide. An accessible doorway is at least 32 inches, ideally 36. If your renovation involves wall changes, consider widening the bathroom door opening at the same time — it’s a small addition to the project scope that significantly improves long-term usability.
Lever-style door and faucet handles are easier to operate for people with arthritis or limited grip strength. Most of the faucet brands we carry offer lever handles as standard, so this is an easy accessibility win with no design compromise.
Talk to our team about accessible design options at Vanity Mart, 1-90 Frobisher Drive, Waterloo. Call 519-886-3240.
