Bathrooms That Work (Safely) for Everyone
The bathroom may be the most important room in the home - and it's one of the most intimate. The bathroom is also one of the most dangerous rooms in the home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 22 million Americans are injured in their bathrooms each year, most from falls. As you look to build or remodel your own bathroom, here are a few tips on how you can have a safer bathroom without skimping on style.
Entrance
A 36-inch (or more) wide entrance is essential. Choose lever-handled door hardware that can be opened with an elbow when hands are wet and unlocked from both sides in case someone inside needs help.
Space to Maneuver
A 60-inch radius in the main lavatory and 36-inch widths for any space that contains a toilet should provide the necessary room most bodies need to move around.
Lighting
The rule of thumb for bathroom lighting is up, down and all around. Toilet, shower and tub areas are usually under lit. Use at least five sources of lighting: ambient, daylight, bathing area task lighting, vanity area task lighting and a set of safety lights. And remember to install ground fault circuit interrupters on all outlets, switches and light fixtures.
Grab Bars
Grab bars help keep their balance preventing falls from occurring. During construction, install blocking for grab bars around the toilet, tub and shower to ensure that the bars will hold the person's weight. The bars can double as towel racks, clothing bars and drying lines. For a streamlined effect, consider a continuous bar that unobtrusively wraps around the entire room.
No-Step Shower
A no-step shower reduces the risk of tripping and falling. Have your builder/remodeler install a sub-floor pan during the construction phase and consider a single sloped floor with a trench drain that angles away from the shower opening. This helps keep the floor dry.
Right-Height Sinks
Is there a way for a three year-old toddler and a 6'6" basketball star to easily use the sink? There are lots of options. Multiple height or adjustable height sinks are two of the best. In lieu of that, match the sink heights to the occupants' heights or provide a safe step stool for children.
Multi-sensory Water Temperature Controls
Hot water can burn skin, especially in the shower or tub. Select anti-scald, pressure balancing faucets that allow one to set the maximum temperature. And use lever faucet handles, so the water can be turned off easily and quickly.
Benches
Benches are not a bathroom luxury - they are a basic. If there is a tub, install a transfer bench behind it for easy entry. A shower bench (preferably built-in), vanity seating and a place to sit and towel off also increase safety.
Storage
Build shower storage alcoves at several levels to make shampoo and soap readily available. Position towel storage close to the shower. Consider placing built-in storage behind full-length mirrors to eliminate the need to reach for toiletries above the vanity sink.
Mirrors
More mirrors make a bath more user-friendly. A full-length mirror for a head-to-toe check, a lit-magnifier for face check and an adjustable tri-fold vanity mirror for an all-around check help one leave the bath ready to face the world.
For more ideas and to find a builder/remodeler in your area, follow us on houzz.com/nahb.
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