When I Get Older…

bathroom remodel

If you’ve arrived at the point in your life where the kids have moved on and you have some extra time – and maybe even some extra money! – for home renovations, one of the first rooms that often comes to mind is the master bath.

No more sharing sinks, tubs and showers with messy kids. The room is now yours and yours alone and the thought of renovating the room into a luxurious Zen-like retreat seems like a well-deserved reward for years of carpooling and early Saturday morning soccer games.

But as you treat yourself to the luxury finishes and extra touches that might have seemed impractical in years past, don’t throw all practicality out the window, especially when it comes to how you can design your bath with aging in mind.

If you plan on staying in your home for as long as possible, you will want to make sure your bath renovation includes many of the safety features that you may not need or appreciate now, but which will become invaluable as you get older. Better yet, planning ahead will save you money and headaches later on.

Consider the following:

  • Low-slope floors create the opportunity for curb-free shower access that can minimize tripping hazards and allow shower access for walkers and wheelchairs later in life. Here you can find more tips on curbless showers.
  • The doors to the bathroom should be large enough to fit a walker or a narrow wheelchair. It might also be necessary to move the door to a different location to avoid the challenge of navigating tight corners, or make the door a pocket door to make better use of the space on the inside.
  • Counters and vanities with open access have become quite popular, offering a chic look that can also accommodate future needs for a wheelchair or seating while at the sink. For a modern look go to Decolav.com or WhitehausCollection.com. A more traditional or transitional look can be found in most design lines from Kohler.com to American Standard and Porcher.com.
  • Multi-level shower controls and heads, as well as built-in shower seats, are nice extras for today, but could be necessities as you age. Signature Hardware has great collection, SignatureHardware.com and so does FirstSeniorcare.com.
  • Although you may not need grab bars at this time, have blocking mounted behind the walls now so you can minimize the mess and inconvenience of installing them later.
  • I have always claimed that a tub is only worth it if you can immerse yourself. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting in 18 inches of water only to have the other half of the body sitting out in the cold. So if you want a tub you have some options: A walk-in with a sealed door is an obvious choice but is not terribly attractive. We have successfully sunk a tub into the floor gaining three to six inches so the step-in is kept low. Adding a built-in step is also a good solution if you have the space to do it. But the only tub that meets my standards for design ingenuity and easy of use is the Kohler Elevance. Watch the video and feel relieved that you can age with grace and comfort.

Regardless of age, be sure you select non-slip flooring. There are literally hundreds of stylish options to choose from and you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety.

bathroom seatingThe market for “aging-in-place” fixtures has boomed in the last few years and we are finally seeing stylish choices and solutions that all ages can enjoy instead of those that suggest assisted living. If you spend a little extra time now on the selection of your bath fixtures and thoughtfully plan the design of the space, you will be able to enjoy your master bath and the comfort of your own home today – and for all the years to come.

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