• PORTFOLIO
  • SERVICES
  • SHOP
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DESIGNED for Designers
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Menu

DESIGNED

Inspired, personalized, creative interior design by Carla Aston
  • PORTFOLIO
  • SERVICES
  • SHOP
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • DESIGNED for Designers
  • PRIVACY POLICY

A Primary Bath Needs an Upgrade for Accessibility, Ease of Use and Beauty!

September 06, 2023 in Bath, Design Plans, Remodeling, Designing

The main reason for this remodel was to make the primary bath more accessible for a wheelchair and caregiver assistance. However, the spouse in this home wanted a beautiful bathroom too where she could feel like she wasn’t living in a hospital-like environment.

No one savors the idea of having your bathroom ripped out and the long process it takes to put it all back together, especially if you consider how you will function in the meantime, but this homeowner desperately needed better function.

We also designed some updates in the kitchen and family room, which I’ll share later, but this bathroom deserves its own post. :-)

BEFORE REMODEL pics

This tub was not used at all and took up valuable square footage in this bathroom. There was not adequate and accessible storage for medical equipment needs.

 

The shower curb and tight door entry were hindering ease of use in this shower. The built-in seat wasn’t needed at all.

 

Luckily, there was room to expand the shower toward the door without too much reconfiguation.

 

View directly into the closet from the bedroom was an eyesore.

 

This space by the toilet room was tight with the linen closet there on the left.

The design challenges that needed addressing:

  1. Better access with bigger shower needed.

  2. No tub wanted in here, wasted square footage.

  3. Seated vanity desired.

  4. Can access to closet be relocated, out of sight?

  5. Open up space to toilet area (toilet can’t be moved due to expense).

  6. Good traction on the floor, durable materials and a luxurious look desired.

  7. Need accessibility at one of the sinks for wheelchair access.

  8. Need hidden storage for personal medical equipment and devices.

This plan was a good solution for all the problems. I worked on the plan and elevations and the homeowner wanted to find her own materials. (I don’t typically work that way but it worked out for me this time as I had several other projects at the time.)

 

Schematic elevation sketch for bathroom remodel | Carla Aston, Designer

The Results!

I love the seated vanity at the window because during the day there is lots of natural light there. Luckily, we didn’t have to modify the window to build that counter there.

The vista into the bathroom was greatly improved when the closet doors were relocated. Now a beautiful vanity with a mirror is what you first see as you enter the space.

The view into the bathroom changed dramatically when the closet doors were relocated and a beautiful vanity built in its place. Carla Aston, Designer

We put the linen storage in cabinetry as opposed to in a closet with sheetrock walls as I’ve preached about before, often that is a big spacesaver in bathrooms. :-)

It looks nice too and then you can have some drawers which make it even more useful.

The shower is much easier to use with a curbless installation and a linear drain. With no built-in seat, the shower chair, which is actually safer to use and more stable, fits the space better with more room for transferring.

The double glass doors help with access too.

This shower was made more accessible with expansion, no curb, the linear drain, grab bars and the double glass doors. carlaaston.com

 

An accessible, curbless shower with a linear drain was a much needed improvement in this bathroom. The shampoo niche was tucked in the short wall. Carla Aston, Designer

The hidden shampoo niche, grab bars and ceramic mosaic make this shower so much more functional and attractive.

The accessible sink area has knee space now and storage for equipment that pulls out on each side when needed. Now there is a place for everything!

Knee space and storage were needed at this accessible sink area. carlaaston.com

 

Storage for medical equipment is located in pull-outs beside the sink. carlaaston.com

The contractor on this job brought me in for the planning and I really appreciate their work and attention to detail here. >>> Knepper Enterprises

I love this bathroom because accessible design is almost invisible and is beautiful too!

Would you know, by peering into this space from the bedroom, that it was designed for wheelchair accessibility?

A beautiful and functional bathroom designed with accessiblity. Carla Aston, Designer

See more bathrooms designed for accessibility at the links below.

Featured
Can a Bathroom with Grab Bars Look Beautiful Too?
Jun 17, 2023
Can a Bathroom with Grab Bars Look Beautiful Too?
Jun 17, 2023

I have some beautiful bathrooms to share with you today and guess what? They all have grab bars!

I’ve gathered images from some designer and creator friends that prove bathrooms with grab bars can be beautiful too. Take a look…..

Jun 17, 2023
BEFORE & AFTER: An Accessible Master Bathroom Is Created Using Universal Design Principles
Sep 9, 2015
BEFORE & AFTER: An Accessible Master Bathroom Is Created Using Universal Design Principles
Sep 9, 2015

This reveal is especially sweet because this project not only achieved its goals with the look and ambience created within the space, but how it functions was dramatically improved, too. 

Sep 9, 2015

My Bathroom Design Guide can help you through your bathroom remodel. Make sure you don’t leave anything out that you could have in your new space!

This blogpost was thoughtfully written by me, Carla Aston, and not by AI, ghostwriters, or guest posters.

Did you like this article?

Tags: accessible bathroom, wheelchair accessible, master bath remodel, primary bathroom, primary bathroom remodel, bathroom remodel, shower enclosure, grab bars, curbless shower, universal design, age in place boomers, accessible design projects
Prev / Next
CARLA ASTON
Bold * Livable * Fresh Interior Designer & Design Blogger
Carla Aston

archive

TRENDING

My handy guide for planning your wall decor!My handy guide for planning your walls!

My handy guide for planning your wall decor!

on sale now! - My handy guide for planning your walls!


Want to sponsor a post or maybe this blog? Check out how you can be featured HERE.


See This Link For Advertising Privacy Policy, Comment Policy, and Disclaimer


Mean spirited, derogatory comments will be deleted.