Universal Design Without Looking Institutional

There are more than 30 million Americans that use wheelchairs and millions more that have other mobility issues. An aging population means those numbers are only going to go up.

Even for homeowners not facing that challenge today, it makes sense to prepare your house for older visitors or your own future needs. An accessible home will allow you to live in it longer by increasing safety and independence.

But that doesn’t mean your home has to look like a hospital or nursing home. It is possible to incorporate universal design while still achieving an attractive remodel. As Certified Aging in Place Specialists, the ELM Construction team has been trained in the unique requirements of preparing a home for an aging population.

A well-designed accessible bathroom needs to address several areas. The project pictured here, which won first place in the 2020 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards for Universal Design, is a great example of what can be achieved.

Shower

Curbless showers are a popular option now in many bathrooms and that was the choice for this project. Most showers, even those without tubs, require you to step up-and-in to the shower. A curbless shower eliminates that transition, putting the shower entrance flush with the floor of the bathroom. The new shower floor in this bathroom slopes toward a linear drain at the shower entrance, which keeps the rest of the bathroom dry.

A fixed or rolling shower seat, at a height of 17 to 19 inches, will allow a bather to sit while showering. For this homeowner, we installed an attractive teak fold-down shower bench.

Grab bars need to be installed in the shower/tub as well. For this project, we installed blocking between the wall studs before replacing the drywall to make sure we had a solid structure to install the grab bars. Working with the client, we helped them select grab bars that serve their essential need but are also attractive accents to match the design of the entire bathroom.

Toilet

The toilet needs to be raised to chair height, approximately 18 inches off the ground. Grab bars should be installed as well to help users get on and off the toilet. The grab bar should be placed within easy reach of the toilet and should be at least 36 inches long.

As with the shower grab bars, we installed blocking behind the walls and helped the homeowner make attractive selections.

Sink

The wall-mounted vanity base, with no cabinet underneath on one side, allows clearance for a wheelchair. A single-lever faucet makes it easier for anyone with arthritis or other challenges to operate the faucet.

Doorway

There should be enough clearance to get into the bathroom. A 36-inch or wider opening is best, but a 32-inch wide entry should provide the necessary space for a wheelchair or walker.

Doors should be fitted with lever-style handles versus doorknobs for ease of gripping and opening. If at all possible, level out the floor between the bathroom and hallway with no raised thresholds for the transition between the spaces. 

Flooring & Layout

Floors should be a slip-resistant material (a good call for any bathroom!), such as vinyl or non-slip tiles.

A wheelchair needs a minimum radius of 48 inches to turn around, and the Americans with Disabilities Act recommends a 5-foot turning radius in the bathroom.

Time to work on upgrading your home for today and the future? ELM Construction, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, is ready to help you prepare your home for the future. Contact us today to discuss your remodeling needs!