Unlocking the Door to Accessibility: A Bathroom Transformation
A few years ago, my dad lost a leg to Vascular disease, and then two short years later, he lost the other one. My dad was still working right up until the pain in his feet became so severe that he could no longer function. It was then that the first leg had to go below the knee, and a few months later, the other one followed.
My parents live in a bungalow, a single-level home, so there weren’t many modifications needed for them to stay comfortably. There was one exception, though – the bathroom. Their current bathroom setup made it incredibly difficult for my dad to shower and maneuver around. I didn’t know how to make a bathroom handicap accessible at the time, but I rolled up my sleeves and got to work, determined to find a solution.
Navigating the Challenges: Assessing the Existing Bathroom
During that first year after my dad lost his first leg, he managed with their existing bathroom setup, using a prosthetic leg most of the time. However, he had to position his shower chair half-in and half-out of the shower, which meant he couldn’t close the shower door. This resulted in a big mess every time he showered.
The following year, when he lost the other leg above the knee, things got even more challenging. He started using a wheelchair a lot more around the house, and it was clear that their main ensuite bathroom needed a major overhaul to accommodate his needs.
Designing for Function and Style: The Accessible Bathroom Transformation
The whole family chipped in to get this renovation done for my parents. My brother-in-law and uncle handled the bulk of the work, and my sister’s plumber friend gave up a few weekends to help with the plumbing. My husband and I pitched in wherever we could, and I took on the design and material selection.
We got organized and completed the entire bathroom renovation in just four weeks! That seems absolutely astounding to me now, as my current bathroom project has been going on for 12 weeks and counting. But the sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that we had created a space that would allow my dad to maintain his independence and dignity was truly rewarding.
Balancing ADA Guidelines and Personal Needs
Now, a couple of years later, my parents have been using the new bathroom, and it works perfectly for my dad. The best part is that you would never know this was a bathroom designed for wheelchair accessibility. I tried to keep function in mind, but also make sure it was beautiful and something my mom would be proud to have in her own home.
You see, there are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines that provide design standards to help people with disabilities. When we were renovating my parents’ bathrooms, we weren’t able to meet all of the guidelines exactly because we had limited space to work with. However, I had the benefit of being able to ask my dad directly about his specific needs.
For example, the ADA requires a grab bar on the side of the toilet for bathroom safety and easy transfers from the wheelchair. But my dad had already been using the bathroom without one for quite some time and didn’t feel like he needed it, as he uses the side of the sink instead. If he does require it in the future, it’s an easy addition.
Designing for Dad’s Needs: Vanity, Sinks, and Toilet Height
In order to make the sinks easy for my dad to use from a sitting position, we needed to lower them and provide some open space underneath to allow him to get closer. The vanities that were in my parents’ house before were all extra tall (36″) and had cabinetry on the bottom, making it difficult for my dad to reach.
In the ensuite bathroom, we solved this by designing a custom double-sink vanity with lower legs. This allowed my dad to roll right up to it. We did, however, add a center countertop tower for storage, as well as some drawers between the sinks, to make sure my mom didn’t lose too much storage space.
We were also careful about the bottom clearance, ensuring there was enough room for my dad’s wheelchair to roll under the vanity comfortably. To achieve this, we sourced some extra shallow sinks. And instead of placing towel bars on the wall, we used long pulls on the front of the vanity, making them easier for my dad to reach.
In the powder room, I found a console sink with a marble top from Wayfair that was the right height and had the necessary open space below for wheelchair access.
Another important consideration was the height of the toilet. My parents’ house had standard, lower toilets, which made it difficult for my dad to transfer from his wheelchair. In both bathrooms, we replaced the toilets with comfort height models that sit just a little higher, allowing for easier access.
Navigating the Shower Dilemma: Curbless Design and Water Control
The shower was by far the trickiest part of the renovation. My dad’s previous setup required him to place his shower chair half-in and half-out of the shower, with the door remaining open, resulting in a lot of water on the bathroom floor.
For the new design, we opted to eliminate the door altogether and go for a curbless shower stall with a very slight ramp-up from the bathroom floor. This allowed for a roll-in shower design, making it much easier for my dad to maneuver.
To deal with any water that might splash out, we added a plastic shower dam that acts as a collapsible water retainer. It sticks right to the tile, and my dad can just roll over it without issue.
We also made sure the shower controls were within easy reach for someone in a seated position, and we installed an adjustable shower head so it could be moved up or down as needed.
Slip-Resistant Flooring and Storage Solutions
When it came to the flooring, we chose small tiles with plenty of grout lines to provide more slip resistance. Large format tiles can be quite slippery, so this was an important safety consideration.
For storage, we designed a niche within the shower area, keeping shampoo and other essentials within easy reach for my dad. He opted to use his own portable shower seat rather than a built-in one, as he liked the flexibility to move it around as needed.
Seamless Design: Blending Accessibility and Aesthetics
My mom loves the new bathroom designs, as the old ones were quite brown and a little dated. These updates have really made a big difference in their home. And the best part is that these bathrooms are like… “sneakily accessible.” They have all the features my dad needs, but they don’t look like a hospital bathroom. Good design doesn’t have to be sacrificed for accessibility!
I’m so grateful that I was able to help with my parents’ renovations. My dad was always the one doing home projects when I was growing up, and working alongside him on this project is a memory I will cherish forever. I hope to pass on that same DIY spirit to my own children someday.
If you’re looking to make your bathroom more accessible, remember to focus on the key elements – vanity height, sink clearance, toilet comfort, shower design, and slip-resistant flooring. And don’t be afraid to get creative! By blending function and style, you can create a beautiful, welcoming space that works for everyone. After all, ABC Home is here to help you design the accessible bathroom of your dreams.
