Universal Bathroom Makeover Design Ideas for Planning an Accessible Bathroom
When planning a bathroom makeover, future accessibility should seriously be taken into consideration. A general rule of thumb is to make sure your bathroom layout is universally useful for all family members now and in the future when their accessibility needs will ultimately change to possibly include a wheelchair or walker. Family members should be able to effortlessly enter and exit the bathroom as well as access all necessary fixtures and there should be grab bars at convenient locations for general stability and incase someone slips or falls.
Some of the other design features to include during bathroom renovations are: purchasing an adjustable showerhead, installing a shower seat and a mosaic tile floor to provide necessary slip resistant traction for walking or a wheelchair. While a pedestal or wall mounted sink would be best, you can also install a vanity with the sink strategically placed at the front so that you can easily reach the faucets and basin. Some manufacturers even offer specialized bathroom fixtures with pedal mounted controls that can conveniently be activated by someone sitting in a wheelchair.
When you renovate a bathroom, to help facilitate the grooming process, adjustable tilted mirrors offers improved visibility for someone small or an elder sitting in a wheel chair, this convenience factor can also be augmented through the use of wall mounted vanities and sinks. The vanity itself can also be improved by your choice of wide easy to grip faucet handles as well as contoured or magnetic cabinet handles. You may even want to consider purchasing a walk-in curbless shower surround or walk-in tub. Even mounting your bathtub fixtures at the side of the tub allows the user to adjust the water temperature before getting into the bathtub provides convenience and safety.
It should go without saying that your bathroom plans be based on the main floor for obvious accessibility reasons. Lighting is also important, non-glare floors and plenty of adequate light reduces bumps and miscalculations in visual distance. If you would like more information on the accessibility standards provided by the (ADA) Americans With Disabilities Act, you can visit their website at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/ to view this great resource for universal design. Another great place to get ADA products is ActiveForever.com 
If you liked this article then this one teaches you How to Identify Problem Areas in Your Bathroom to stimulate Usable Bathroom Ideas.
Home Living Solutions 3150 – Revolutionary Walk-In Bath
Sonia 090563 – Swinging Grab Bar
Ginger 1168 – Chelsea? ”L” Grab Bar
Bristol and Bath TTC670 – St. James Wall Mounted Shower Seat
ActiveForever.com cares about your bath safety. The Aquatec Beluga Bath Lift is an easy to use, high quality bath lift that reclines for added comfort. If you have limited mobility the Aquatec Beluga Bath Lift will give you the freedom to take a bath again!
Universal Bathroom Improvement Planning is a Breeze Once You Know How at Bathroomguru Review
Don’t forget to check out our other categories on bathroom renovation, bathroom design, bathroom remodeling, bathroom trends and bathroom product reviews for the latest information.
You have some excellent ideas for bathrooms. That has been one of the recurring themes in my own life–looking for a way to make our bathrooms and our kitchen look really glorious, even though those rooms are much too small. One of the glories of the Internet, though, is that there is absolutely no dearth of ideas. Right now I have no idea of what I will ultimately do, but I keep hoping I will come up with something really slick.
June 24, 2009 at 11:22 am