HomeSmart
Home Adaptations for Independent Living
Blog
Recent Questions: Bathroom Design for Boomers
| Posted on January 26, 2013 at 2:24 PM |
Question: My husband and I are planning to completely
remodel our master bathroom. We
recognize that at this point in our lives it might be smart if we incorporated
features that would allow us to comfortably use our bathroom as we age. What do you recommend for those of us baby
boomers looking to upgrade our bathrooms? Answer: You might be
surprised to learn that I’d recommend the same bathroom renovations to a baby
boomer as I’d suggest to a younger family or an older couple. Today’s trend is towards universal design –
that design which allows everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, ease
of use. One benefit of universal design
is that as we get older and our lifestyle changes, we can still comfortably use our
home without need for additional adaptations or equipment. As an added bonus, planning renovations from a
universal design perspective ensures an increase in the resale value of your
home and opens to door to many more potential buyers. So here are universal design elements to consider: Try to create a bathroom large enough to allow for a 5’
circle in front of the plumbing fixtures.
When space is at a premium, do not create a separate room for the toilet
or shower but instead keep the space open. Make sure the bathroom doorway is minimally 32” wide,
preferably 36”. Doors should swing out rather
than in or you could install a pocket door. The doorway threshold should be flush with
the adjacent flooring. All flooring materials must be non-slip. Look for matte finished tiles and natural stone,
instead of glazed tiles or polished stones. Select a comfort height (16 – 18” height vs. 14-15”) toilet
or wall hung toilet which are space saving and can be mounted at an
individualized height. These toilets are becoming more and more popular for people of all ages.  Install a curb-less shower which has no lip or threshold at
the entry. The floor slopes towards the drain and away from the rest of the
bathroom floor. A swing out, frame-less
door or shower rod and curtain also help keep water within the shower area. Build in a shower bench which can be sized as large as
you’d like or purchase a folding shower seat that can be mounted to the
shower wall. Use a handheld shower head mounted on a slide bar. These versatile shower heads are easy to use
when standing or sitting and are an aid when younger children are using the
shower. All come with multiple settings
that allow you to control the flow of water. Install grab bars in the shower and tub. A typical placement is one vertical bar to
be used as a hand hold when entering a shower/tub and one horizontal bar placed
along the long wall. With the advent of
special mounting brackets that allow grab bars to be installed securely into
drywall faced studs, installation is no longer dependent on having special backing
behind the walls. If you find in the
future that for example, you require grab bars in the toilet area, you’ll be
able to have them installed them as needed. Grab bars now come in so many different styles and colors that they no longer have to look institutional. If your local hardware stores carry nothing other than the chunky standard stainless steel bar, check online. You'll be surprised at the range of choices you have. Consider a wall mounted sink or floating vanity that would allow for a mobility device or wheelchair
to easily roll up under. If you want
to maintain a vanity cabinet, you can still use a wall mounted vanity –just set
it at least 9” off the floor to allow for a wheelchair footrest underneath. Choose accessible faucets that do not require a strong grip
to operate. Between single handled or
double handled lever style faucets, sensor, and touch faucets there are many designs
and styles to choose from. Now with these elements in mind, take a look at these bathrooms
to see how universal design was applied in each.       In every one of these bathrooms you'll find features that not only will adapt to your physical needs as you age, but will also be appreciated by people of any age. We've come a long way in understanding how our traditional design approach to bathrooms has not really been suitable for people throughout their lives. Just remember as you make your selections to think through not just your present lifestyle but what might be in the future.  Susan Luxenberg President HomeSmart LLC |
Categories: Questions & Answers
Post a Comment
Oops!
The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.
1204 Comments
Reply
site plan drafting
5:06 AM on February 19, 2013
Such a wonderful photos and information about bath room designs you are sharing with us. The questions you have raised are very useful. So thanks for giving such a nice blog.
Reply
unjutounk
10:54 PM on August 27, 2021
http://buytadalafshop.com/ - generic cialis no prescription
Reply
Emofady
5:06 AM on September 10, 2021
https://buystromectolon.com/ - purchase ivermectin for humans
Reply
Moxclaica
7:46 AM on September 15, 2021
https://buyzithromaxinf.com/ - azithromycin for chlamydia dose
Oops!
Oops, you forgot something.