Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week
Bathroom of the Week: Modern, Chic and Wheelchair-Accessible
A design-savvy couple, one of whom uses a wheelchair, get a stylish bathroom tailored to their current and future needs
Many renovating homeowners are interested in adding accessibility or aging-in-place features to their bathrooms, but they worry about them looking institutional. This bright, modern en suite in Louisville, Kentucky, which designer Bethany Adams designed for a client with limited mobility and her husband, should put those concerns to rest.
Adams took into account ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards and the retired homeowners’ current and anticipated needs when reconfiguring the layout of their bathroom, bedroom and closet. Then she installed luxe finishes and fixtures, including discreet grab bars and a barrier-free shower, that address mobility challenges without announcing them.
Check out the award-winning design below and consider how applying similar strategies could allow you to age in place safely and stylishly — while also welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities into your home.
Adams took into account ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards and the retired homeowners’ current and anticipated needs when reconfiguring the layout of their bathroom, bedroom and closet. Then she installed luxe finishes and fixtures, including discreet grab bars and a barrier-free shower, that address mobility challenges without announcing them.
Check out the award-winning design below and consider how applying similar strategies could allow you to age in place safely and stylishly — while also welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities into your home.
After: Working with contractor Stefan Rumancik, designer Adams reconfigured the primary suite’s layout to install a large closet where the primary bedroom had been and move the primary bedroom to the spot where the guest bedroom used to be. Then they opened up the existing bathroom and installed double doors between the new primary bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom you see here is wider, brighter and much easier for a wheelchair to maneuver into and through than the original.
We’ll look at all of the elements in detail, but first, scroll to the end to see the original and new floor plans.
Note that for the purposes of these photos only, the bathroom was styled with a runner rug (which could be a trip hazard and hinder a wheelchair) and other items.
Wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
We’ll look at all of the elements in detail, but first, scroll to the end to see the original and new floor plans.
Note that for the purposes of these photos only, the bathroom was styled with a runner rug (which could be a trip hazard and hinder a wheelchair) and other items.
Wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
Although Adams had studied universal design, this was her first residential bathroom project to incorporate ADA standards.
Beyond following those guidelines, she tailored the design to the client’s specific mobility issues. For example, the client has more strength in her right hand, so Adams placed fixtures and outlets accordingly.
The homeowners also got design inspiration from Houzz and shared several ideabooks with Adams.
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
Beyond following those guidelines, she tailored the design to the client’s specific mobility issues. For example, the client has more strength in her right hand, so Adams placed fixtures and outlets accordingly.
The homeowners also got design inspiration from Houzz and shared several ideabooks with Adams.
11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom
Adams custom-designed the client’s vanity with sufficient height, knee clearance and depth for her wheelchair to roll under it comfortably. The drawers are on the right side, making them easy for her to access with her right hand.
Although the vanity appears to be floating, it actually sits on the floor and is securely affixed to the wall to support the user’s full weight if necessary. The coordinating towel holder attached to the side of the sink doubles as a grab bar. And the Kohler Tempered faucet in polished nickel can be operated with one hand.
Although the vanity appears to be floating, it actually sits on the floor and is securely affixed to the wall to support the user’s full weight if necessary. The coordinating towel holder attached to the side of the sink doubles as a grab bar. And the Kohler Tempered faucet in polished nickel can be operated with one hand.
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Although the spouse doesn’t use a wheelchair, his ability to age in place was a priority too. Thus his vanity, which is on the other side of the double doors, is a mirror image of hers, with the same safety features.
The walnut vanities’ modern design and off-white quartz countertops would look elegant in any home — nothing about them says “accessible.” Clear glass pendant lights add another modern touch.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity
The walnut vanities’ modern design and off-white quartz countertops would look elegant in any home — nothing about them says “accessible.” Clear glass pendant lights add another modern touch.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity
The floor in the main area is a ceramic tile from Daltile that has a bit of texture to provide grip even when wet. It’s flush with the shower’s flat pebble-tiled floor, so there’s no threshold to step or roll over. And both floors have radiant heat, which speeds the drying process and further prevents slipping.
The glass shower door, which the contractor reinforced for stability, is 36 inches wide — large enough to allow a wheelchair and, if necessary, a caregiver to enter comfortably.
(Again, the runner rug was removed after the photo shoot.)
The glass shower door, which the contractor reinforced for stability, is 36 inches wide — large enough to allow a wheelchair and, if necessary, a caregiver to enter comfortably.
(Again, the runner rug was removed after the photo shoot.)
In the “before” photo, you can see a small octagonal window that provided the only sunlight in the room. Adams replaced it with a much larger window, and the contractor added a reclaimed-redwood screen on the exterior that lets in light but provides privacy.
Shop for bathroom safety products
Shop for bathroom safety products
The shower measures a roomy 4⅓ by 6⅓ feet and has oversize subway tiles set in a herringbone pattern on two walls.
Between them, a wall of bright white opal marble has a shelf that can be used for storage and stability.
“I do them in all the showers I [design] now,” Adams says. “It’s easier for the contractor to waterproof, and I think it just looks more elegant than a little niche.”
A rectangular rain shower head from the Delta Faucet Zura line is at one end of the shower.
Between them, a wall of bright white opal marble has a shelf that can be used for storage and stability.
“I do them in all the showers I [design] now,” Adams says. “It’s easier for the contractor to waterproof, and I think it just looks more elegant than a little niche.”
A rectangular rain shower head from the Delta Faucet Zura line is at one end of the shower.
At the other is a floating teak bench — a helpful feature for people of any age who have trouble with balance, stamina or mobility — where the client can sit to shower. The plumbing fixtures, also from Delta’s Zura line, are installed on her right, where she can easily reach them, including the adjustable-height shower bar, which does double duty as a grab bar.
“To be able to shower independently is a wonderful thing that most of us take for granted,” Adams says, and now it’s something her client can do.
“To be able to shower independently is a wonderful thing that most of us take for granted,” Adams says, and now it’s something her client can do.
In the water closet, which has a pocket door, a Toto washlet with bidet functionality assists with cleaning and drying.
In addition to the attractive grab bars from Delta that coordinate with the fixtures, the toilet paper holder functions as a grab bar.
“Any of these things that a person in need might reach out for — whether they intend to or not — should be really secured and have the potential to be a grab bar,” Adams says.
Adams advises that even if you don’t want to install grab bars when you’re renovating or building, you can strategically incorporate blocking into the walls so the bars could be installed at a later date.
“That’s an easy and relatively inexpensive thing to think about on the front end,” she says.
In addition to the attractive grab bars from Delta that coordinate with the fixtures, the toilet paper holder functions as a grab bar.
“Any of these things that a person in need might reach out for — whether they intend to or not — should be really secured and have the potential to be a grab bar,” Adams says.
Adams advises that even if you don’t want to install grab bars when you’re renovating or building, you can strategically incorporate blocking into the walls so the bars could be installed at a later date.
“That’s an easy and relatively inexpensive thing to think about on the front end,” she says.
Opposite the toilet is a linen closet that holds towels and a hamper. There are motion-activated LED lights in the toe-kick recess, making nighttime trips easier. (There are also motion-activated lights in the hallways.)
During the day, a small fixed-panel transom window above the closet allows natural light from the shower to illuminate the room.
During the day, a small fixed-panel transom window above the closet allows natural light from the shower to illuminate the room.
As part of the project, the windowless primary bedroom became a spacious closet with pocket doors and a vanity area sized for the client’s wheelchair. The client can easily use the drawers’ integrated handles to pull them open.
Flanking the illuminated vanity mirror, slim cabinets keep her necklaces in easy reach. An electrified pullout on the right holds hair tools.
Closet millwork paint: Shiitake, Sherwin-Williams
Flanking the illuminated vanity mirror, slim cabinets keep her necklaces in easy reach. An electrified pullout on the right holds hair tools.
Closet millwork paint: Shiitake, Sherwin-Williams
Last year, the project was awarded a Design Excellence Gold Award from the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.
But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the project is that it restored the client’s ability to use her bathroom independently, which has improved both her mental and physical well-being, Adams says.
Increasingly, design for aging in place is a topic Adams brings up with clients of all ages and abilities. Surely this project, which proves that accessibility and beauty can coexist, makes it an easier sell.
But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the project is that it restored the client’s ability to use her bathroom independently, which has improved both her mental and physical well-being, Adams says.
Increasingly, design for aging in place is a topic Adams brings up with clients of all ages and abilities. Surely this project, which proves that accessibility and beauty can coexist, makes it an easier sell.
After: This is the new floor plan, which shows the new double doors between the new primary bedroom and bathroom.
Tell us: What aging-in-place strategies or features have you implemented in your home? Please share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place
Aging-in-Place Resolutions for the New Year
Find a bathroom designer near you
Browse shower benches
Tell us: What aging-in-place strategies or features have you implemented in your home? Please share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place
Aging-in-Place Resolutions for the New Year
Find a bathroom designer near you
Browse shower benches
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Size: 147 square feet (14 square meters); about 10 by 14½ feet
Designer: Bethany Adams Interiors
Contractor: Stefan Rumancik of Designer Builders
Before: The original primary bathroom in the clients’ older ranch house was fairly spacious, but it was long and skinny with multiple narrow doors and awkward angles. A bulky corner tub ate up much of the square footage.
Navigating the room was difficult for one of the owners, who has used a wheelchair and sometimes a cane or walker since having a stroke a decade ago. Consequently, her spouse helped her with most elements of her hygiene, including showering.
In addition, the room lacked the bright, modern style the homeowners prefer.
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