Top 10 Bathroom Improvement Ideas for Accessibility
Posted on by Armando Carrillo
A complete bathroom remodel is anything but a small project. Whether you are choosing to upgrade your bathroom for aesthetic reasons or to increase your home’s value, there are some crucial elements you should consider before you bring your project to life! Functionality should be at the center of your remodel but creating a functional bathroom no longer means you have to sacrifice style and features. Designing the bathroom of your dreams in your master suite or updating the guest bath to serve a variety of purposes is easy with a little inspiration and a great design team.
How long have you been thinking about a bathroom remodel?
Check out these ten proven contractor tips to help move your project forward:
1. Shower Seats
More than just a comfy place to relax while you shower, adding a shower seat gives you a place to rest your foot while you shave your legs. If you’re concerned about losing valuable floor space with the addition of a shower seat, folding options are available.
2. Add Built-In Shelves
Skip the metal or plastic shower caddies that can make your shower look and feel cluttered and opt for built-in options instead. These niches are perfect for keeping your shampoo bottles, conditioner bottles and shaving supplies off the floor of the shower. Not only do they put your essentials within reach, but they also reduce tripping hazards in the wet area of your bathroom.
3. Skip the Threshold
Creating a zero entry shower not only gives your bathroom a sleek and modern look it also gives you a shower that allows you for aging in place. Not tripping over the sill of your shower every time you get in and out of the shower makes your bathroom safer and easier to use.
4. Consider the Placement of Hooks, Towel Bars, and the Toilet Paper Holder
Many times these are the overlooked details in a whole bathroom remodel, especially when the shower or the toilet is being relocated. These elements add a fun pop and personality to your project and shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought.
5. Shop Showerheads and Handhelds
Upgrading your bathroom should include upgrading your shower experience. If you’re installing a shower bench in your shower to shave your legs, why not add a handheld shower nearby to make rinsing a breeze? For those who are taller, raising your showerhead up higher on the wall may be an option to consider when working on your bathroom redesign. Putting in multiple showerheads or installing a central rain head are popular options.
6. Get Rid of Your Whirlpool Tub
Many homeowners have whirlpool tubs in their master bathrooms that are either broken or rarely get used because of the amount of water it takes to fill them. Consider converting the space your whirlpool tub is taking up into a large dual showerhead shower and turning your existing shower into storage in your bathroom.
7. Upgrade Your Vanity
If your existing vanity lacks the space you need to store your toiletries, makeup and hair styling tools, then opting for a larger vanity with more drawers and dual sinks may be your best bet. Drawers are easier to organize and access than vanities that have doors that open to a large under the sink area. Drawers can be cut to fit around plumbing and can make reclaiming counter space in your bathroom possible.
8. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
The mirror in the bathroom is often overlooked, much like the towel racks, hooks, and the toilet paper holder. However, in many bathrooms, the mirror helps define the style of the room. If you are changing your vanity and installing a larger one, you may need to increase the size of your bathroom mirror. Many homeowners opt to install two mirrors over a dual sink vanity rather than installing one large mirror. One popular trend is the use of multiple smaller mirrors above the vanity so that lighted sconces can be placed on either side of the mirrors. Large mirrors and custom cut mirrors can make the bathroom seem larger or fit into an awkwardly shaped space.
9. Shed Some Light
Adding recessed lighting to your shower and throughout your bathroom can create aesthetic or functional light. Adding a dimmer switch can help you control the mood of your bath. Adding over vanity lights, sconces or lighted mirrors can help you see what you’re doing up close.
10. What Features Are Missing?
Is there something you’ve always wished your current bathroom had? Maybe you’d like to have a heated tile floor or solid shower walls to make cleaning easier. When it comes to remodeling your bathroom, don’t forget to include your wish list in your design requirements. Many homeowners are so focused on remodeling the wet area and choosing the right vanity that they forget to add in the features that give their project the finishing touches.
Ask yourself these important questions to help you consider what bathroom features you want vs. need. When you are answering these questions, review your priorities like, who will use the bathroom and what will bring beauty and function now and for resale
- What do I like/dislike about my current bathroom?
- Do I have sufficient storage?
- What does my ideal bathroom look like?
- What does my ideal bathroom function like?
- What colors make my bathroom feel like me?
- What would I change about the current layout?
- What is my timeline?
Once you have answered these questions, you’re ready to take the next step and get an estimate from a bathroom remodeling expert. While there are numerous bathroom remodeling companies for you to choose from, be sure to select a reputable company that is licensed and insured. In today’s market, consumers buy based on word of mouth and online reviews so ask your neighbors, friends, and coworkers who they trust. Look for the number of reviews a contractor has not just the star rating and check out their BBB which will give you clues to their reputation.
Ready to get started on your bathroom remodel? Contact us and let our design team help you create the bathroom of your dreams!