6 disabled bathroom ideas for a stylish and functional space

Creating a beautiful bathroom that fits with your style and functions perfectly is an exciting way to elevate your home. Looking for disabled bathroom ideas and inspiration? If your space needs to work for individuals with disabilities, there may be additional planning and considerations that you’ll want to bear in mind before you start any renovations. That being said – accessibility doesn’t have to compromise the design of your room, and with the right arrangement, you’ll be able to benefit from a safe, relaxing space that you love. 

In this blog post, we’re going to delve into disabled bathroom ideas that you may want to consider to make your room more user-friendly, and how you can incorporate them into your space. Here are some helpful mobility bathroom ideas.

Upgrade your flooring to be non-slip

If somebody in your home struggles on their feet, or requires additional help to walk, then you should definitely consider non-slip flooring. Slips and falls are more common in the bathroom due to the possibility of wet areas, and it’s recommended that you look into the different materials on offer.

LVT (or luxury vinyl tile) is a perfect alternative to regular ceramic tiles. The difference is that they can mimic the look of wood, tile and stone but without any slippy properties that come alongside this. As well as offering a good level of grip, they’re also very easy to clean and are water-resistant.

Extra grip tiles are another option. Unlike high-gloss and smooth porcelain, they are finished with a textured design that’ll help you to stay on your toes. Slip-resistant tiles can come in a whole host of styles that promise to slot into your bathroom aesthetic easily.

Rubber flooring is our final favourite. It’s crafted in the same durable materials as the soles of your shoes – and as so, provides lots of grip and a comfortable, bouncy feel underfoot. It comes in a variety of hues to match your desired design.

Install a walk-in bath

For those looking for accessible bathroom ideas, a walk-in bath is absolutely worth considering. If you love the relaxing comfort and tranquillity of a bath, the good news is that you can still incorporate one into your space that is disabled-friendly. The stylish walk-in baths that we offer here at Premier Bathing restore independence to your bathing routine, featuring safety enhancements like grab rails, bath seats, and slip-resistant surfaces. They are designed to fit into bathrooms of all sizes, including big and small. We also offer a selection of luxurious spa options for if you really want to bring a moment of serenity to your daily routine. 

Choose from traditional lay-flat tubs where you can spread your legs. Or, for those who need to sit, we have deeper tubs with incorporated seats. 

Consider a walk-in shower or wet room 

A walk-in shower is an excellent choice for enhanced accessibility in your bathroom. They often have a very low and flat, barrier-free entry, which makes these showers easily accessible for individuals using wheelchairs or those who can’t tackle larger steps. Installing a curbless or low-threshold shower minimises the risk of tripping and ensures a seamless transition.

Walk-in showers are an excellent choice for seniors, individuals with mobility challenges. Unlike standard showers, walk-in showers allow you to step in effortlessly, providing a much safer option for you or your loved ones. The walk-in showers in our collection are created with safety in mind, featuring slip-resistant flowing, grab bars, shower seats and thermostatic controls. Additionally, they are all custom-fitted to your bathroom, utilising the space of your current layout and enhancing the overall design. 

Another great option to enhance your bathroom is by turning it into a wet room. Similarly to a walk-in shower, it offers ease of accessibility with virtually no barrier to entering. This makes them perfect for those with reduced mobility, especially wheelchair users. 

Wet rooms are often a preferred choice for wheelchair users because there is no raised boundary to have to navigate. The flush floor that runs throughout the room means there is a reduced risk of falling and therefore enhanced safety.

Add grab bars and mobility handles

Grab bars and handrails are a safety essential when creating a disability-friendly bathroom. They offer unwavering support and additional stability to those with mobility issues. We would recommend placing grab bars in all the areas that require bending and stepping movements. For example, near the toilet, in the shower and next to the bath. Of course, you or your loved one’s needs will determine how many you may want to place in the room – so always consider this. 

When installing grab bars or handrails, make sure they are fixed securely into a wall – ideally into the wall’s stud work to make sure they are as sturdy as possible and can bear the full weight of a person. 

Grab rails and handles come in lots of colours and materials to match the style of your room. Including chrome, brass and coloured plastics. That means they’ll slot perfectly into your bathroom.

Bring easy-to-access storage units into the space

It may seem obvious, but if you or your loved one has reduced movement (for example, struggling to bend down, reach up, or is in a wheelchair), then you’re going to want to store your bathroom essentials appropriately.

Options you may want to consider are: low-level shelves that provide easy-to-reach solutions for bathroom equipment. Movable trolleys that can be rolled around the room for ease of grabbing. Pull out drawers that stop you from having to bend and search through deeper units.

Optimise the floorplan

If you’re renovating your current bathroom to be disabled-friendly, then the major thing you will want to consider is the layout and floor plan. It’s one of the first things you’ll want to plan – helping you to configure what units and fixtures you can have and whether you’ll be able to navigate them with enough space. You should therefore consider: 

You have plenty of space around your basin, bath, shower and toilet. Particularly if you have wheelchair users frequenting your space. 

Door width – can you have a standard door? Or will you require a wider one for accessibility? Wheelchair users may require a bigger opening to help them roll into the room with ease.

You’ll also want to consider where you are putting storage solutions, and making use of out-of-the-way areas when you need to put in additional fixtures. For example, can you put them in the corner of the room, or make use of under-sink storage? 

Creating a disability-friendly bathroom involves thoughtfully blending functionality, safety, and aesthetics. When considering accessible bathroom ideas, remember every person is different, and therefore it’s important to think about you and your loved one’s needs before undergoing any work. From slip-resistant flooring and accessible shower and bath options to sleek grab bars and easy-to-reach storage solutions, these disabled bathroom ideas will help you build a space that accommodates your needs while offering comfort and a spa-worthy space. 

 

Remember, our team is always on hand to talk to you about your needs and can always speak to you about your options for installing wet rooms, walk-in showers and walk-in baths in your home.

 

Maybe now you’re wondering how much does a mobility bathroom cost? We break down what expenses there are to consider in this additional blog, which may be of help.