How to Design Your Ideal Mobility Bathroom

Being able to use the bathroom comfortably is something many of us take for granted. For those whose mobility is restricted due to age, injury, or physical impairment, navigating the ins and outs of a bathroom can be a nightmare. Whether you’re designing a new bathroom for yourself or for a loved one, putting in the necessary features for them to move around with ease is crucial. 

Read on for some helpful tips to plan and design your ideal mobility bathroom.

Assess Key Needs

The first thing you’ll want to do when planning a mobility bathroom is to assess what the key needs of the individual are. What supports does the room require? What kinds of mobility issues does the person have? How restricted are their movements? Figuring out these necessities is vital to the planning of a mobility bathroom and should be done in consultation with the person using it before any building work commences. 

Raised Toilets

One of the main features of an accessible bathroom is a raised toilet. This makes it easier for older people, in particular, to sit down and stand up. The higher the seat, the less strain on the legs. This also adds further stability and reduces the risks of falls or an inability to get up off the seat. Also, a mobility bathroom doesn’t mean having to skimp on style either. Along with toilets, there are a lot of stylish options for mobility bathrooms out there on the market. 

Consider a Walk-in Shower or Built-in Seat

Slips and falls in the shower or bath are all too common. Even amongst the young and those whose mobility isn’t restricted,falling in the bath happens occasionally and can result in quite severe injuries. For the elderly in particular, minimizing falls of this nature is important as they can lead to broken hips or bones. Installing a walk-in shower or bath is a good solution as it removes the chore of getting into and out of a deep bath. 

Non- or Low-Slip Tiles

It’s no secret that wet tiles equal a slippery hazard. Even steam or condensation after a shower can be enough to make a bathroom floor slippery and dangerous. The good news is that many bathroom retailers offer non-slip tile options. The texture of these tiles is achieved through a special matte glaze that textures its surface. 

Mobility Accessories 

Once you’ve considered the main features of your mobility bathroom, you’ll also need to tweak certain areas with accessories such as bars, leans, rugs, and more. Support leans are useful in places like the bath or shower, or next to the toilet to help the person stand up. You may even want to have support leans next to the sink in case someone finds it difficult to stand for long periods. Other useful accessories include back rest belts in the bath, toilet seat cushions, hair washing aids, and more.

If you’re planning a stylish, yet comfortable mobility bathroom, use the above tips to help design the perfect space. 

Photo by Vecislavas Popa from Pexels