Safety First: Look-Ahead Design Strategies for a Future-Proof Bathroom
Take the long view for a beautifully safe bathroom that you'll love now and as you grow old gracefully
After losing my grandmother to a bathroom fall – at 80 she insisted on climbing onto the toilet seat to pull down the blind – I became aware of what a treacherous place a bathroom can be. Although building regulations address many basic safety issues, bathroom accidents are alarmingly frequent, especially among the elderly. When you are young and nimble, ‘elderly’ may seem a long way off, but there are many good reasons to be far-sighted when it comes to bathroom design.
Governments are pushing the ‘ageing in place’ barrow in an effort to cut the costs of providing aged care facilities. This simply means growing old in your own home, and bathroom designers are noticing an upsurge in homeowners choosing to do this. It’s an attractive option, as relocating from a familiar loved home can be hugely stressful, emotionally and financially. Maybe you have decided to build a place for your autumn years, or you plan to accommodate an ageing relative or friend as an alternative to aged care. Whether building or modifying an existing bathroom, you can reduce accident risks substantially with good planning.
Owen Barnes, principal designer for Bubbles Bathrooms, shared his wisdom on bathroom design for this story. He is well-qualified to advise on this subject – his father was an amputee and Barnes has been aware from an early age of the issues inherent in a life with very reduced mobility – and the solutions that can be applied. Many of Barnes’ tips apply to all bathrooms, but some may explode common misconceptions about bathroom safety.
Governments are pushing the ‘ageing in place’ barrow in an effort to cut the costs of providing aged care facilities. This simply means growing old in your own home, and bathroom designers are noticing an upsurge in homeowners choosing to do this. It’s an attractive option, as relocating from a familiar loved home can be hugely stressful, emotionally and financially. Maybe you have decided to build a place for your autumn years, or you plan to accommodate an ageing relative or friend as an alternative to aged care. Whether building or modifying an existing bathroom, you can reduce accident risks substantially with good planning.
Owen Barnes, principal designer for Bubbles Bathrooms, shared his wisdom on bathroom design for this story. He is well-qualified to advise on this subject – his father was an amputee and Barnes has been aware from an early age of the issues inherent in a life with very reduced mobility – and the solutions that can be applied. Many of Barnes’ tips apply to all bathrooms, but some may explode common misconceptions about bathroom safety.
Start from the ground up
If designing a new home where you intend to ‘age in place’, you will probably opt for a single storey dwelling. If not, talk to your designer or architect about locating an age-friendly bathroom (and main bedroom) on the ground floor. Inability to cope with stairs is a prime reason for relocations in later life. If modifying an existing home, weigh up the cost of adjusting stair widths and installing elevators against the cost of adding a ground floor bathroom.
If designing a new home where you intend to ‘age in place’, you will probably opt for a single storey dwelling. If not, talk to your designer or architect about locating an age-friendly bathroom (and main bedroom) on the ground floor. Inability to cope with stairs is a prime reason for relocations in later life. If modifying an existing home, weigh up the cost of adjusting stair widths and installing elevators against the cost of adding a ground floor bathroom.
Be open-minded
Barnes is a long-time advocate of open plan bathrooms and doorless, stepless shower areas. Removing internal barriers is the best accident-prevention measure you can take, he says. The smallest step can be precarious for those with restricted movement. Although it sounds a bit slapstick, walking smack into a glass wall is no joke either and is a common cause of injury for those with poor eyesight. Cleaning glass is also not a task for those with restricted movement.
Barnes is a long-time advocate of open plan bathrooms and doorless, stepless shower areas. Removing internal barriers is the best accident-prevention measure you can take, he says. The smallest step can be precarious for those with restricted movement. Although it sounds a bit slapstick, walking smack into a glass wall is no joke either and is a common cause of injury for those with poor eyesight. Cleaning glass is also not a task for those with restricted movement.
If you prefer a door on a toilet cubicle, for odour or privacy reasons, ensure it can be easily removed from outside in an emergency – a fall inside an enclosed toilet may end badly.
Size doesn’t matter
We tend to think that big is better when it comes to bathrooms. Barnes is emphatic that floor area is not as important as how it is used. Although design options may be more numerous in larger rooms, a small bathroom with a well-designed layout can be just as efficient as a very spacious one. One area where size does matter is the entry, which should enable wheelchair and walker access.
We tend to think that big is better when it comes to bathrooms. Barnes is emphatic that floor area is not as important as how it is used. Although design options may be more numerous in larger rooms, a small bathroom with a well-designed layout can be just as efficient as a very spacious one. One area where size does matter is the entry, which should enable wheelchair and walker access.
A bath is not essential
Unless you are wedded to a good wallow in the tub and have the space, Barnes recommends increasing the shower area instead. “In actual fact, sitting under running water is more beneficial for circulation than soaking in a tub.” A shower space big enough for two, should assisted showering become necessary, is a growing trend. Home steam showers are becoming popular and affordable and enhance the pleasure and comfort of shower time.
Read more: Steam Showers: The Perfect Antidote to a Busy Life
Unless you are wedded to a good wallow in the tub and have the space, Barnes recommends increasing the shower area instead. “In actual fact, sitting under running water is more beneficial for circulation than soaking in a tub.” A shower space big enough for two, should assisted showering become necessary, is a growing trend. Home steam showers are becoming popular and affordable and enhance the pleasure and comfort of shower time.
Read more: Steam Showers: The Perfect Antidote to a Busy Life
Move plumbing for better design
Many of Barnes’ clients are resistant to the idea of relocating plumbing when redesigning a bathroom, for budget reasons. “It’s a misconception that it’s costly,” he says. “Often it’s just a matter of a longer pipe and it can completely change the ease and comfort of the room.”
Many of Barnes’ clients are resistant to the idea of relocating plumbing when redesigning a bathroom, for budget reasons. “It’s a misconception that it’s costly,” he says. “Often it’s just a matter of a longer pipe and it can completely change the ease and comfort of the room.”
Take a seat for safety and comfort
Shower seating is one of the handiest things you could install, at any age. This practical fold-up timber model not only holds extra accessories, but is great for sitting to wash feet, lather hair or just enjoy some steamy aqua therapy.
Read more: How to Put a Bench Seat Into Your Shower
Shower seating is one of the handiest things you could install, at any age. This practical fold-up timber model not only holds extra accessories, but is great for sitting to wash feet, lather hair or just enjoy some steamy aqua therapy.
Read more: How to Put a Bench Seat Into Your Shower
Don’t be a stork, says Barnes. Most falls result from bathroom balancing acts. Resting areas outside the shower area reduce the need to put excessive load on one foot. A padded bench between double vanities is perfect for drying feet or just sitting and enjoying a peaceful after-bath moment. This one looks lovely too.
An open under-vanity area that accommodates a pretty chair for hair-drying and make-up means no uncomfortable craning towards the mirror.
Check out your floor
There is no such thing as a guaranteed non-slip floor, but some protection is afforded by slip-resistant building codes. Flooring materials for wet areas must comply with these. Barnes cautions that imported tiles may not label their products with Australian compliance information, so always check with your architect or tiler that they have investigated this. A material that meets, or exceeds, these standards is non-negotiable. Although they may help, adhesive anti-skid strips shouldn’t be relied on, says Barnes.
TIP: Shower slippers with non-skid soles can boost confidence in the shower. Check out Independent Living Centre websites for useful information on slip prevention.
There is no such thing as a guaranteed non-slip floor, but some protection is afforded by slip-resistant building codes. Flooring materials for wet areas must comply with these. Barnes cautions that imported tiles may not label their products with Australian compliance information, so always check with your architect or tiler that they have investigated this. A material that meets, or exceeds, these standards is non-negotiable. Although they may help, adhesive anti-skid strips shouldn’t be relied on, says Barnes.
TIP: Shower slippers with non-skid soles can boost confidence in the shower. Check out Independent Living Centre websites for useful information on slip prevention.
Rugs and mats are a no-no in bathrooms for elderly users. An option is a patterned tile panel – decorative and trip-proof.
Look at all the angles
A scar on my forehead is a reminder of what a sharp right-angled granite vanity edge can do in a careless moment – I would have preferred a bull-nosed edge to connect with. Remove another unforgiving angle with an underbench or set-back basin instead of a semi-recessed model that overhangs the vanity space.
TIP: A decorative detail around the vanity top defines the limit of the surface clearly for those with poor eyesight.
A scar on my forehead is a reminder of what a sharp right-angled granite vanity edge can do in a careless moment – I would have preferred a bull-nosed edge to connect with. Remove another unforgiving angle with an underbench or set-back basin instead of a semi-recessed model that overhangs the vanity space.
TIP: A decorative detail around the vanity top defines the limit of the surface clearly for those with poor eyesight.
Barnes has reservations about the practicality and longevity of timber as a bathroom material, although he admits it is an attractive – and softer – alternative to stone or concrete. Chamfered or rounded edges would be less cutting in the case of a skull-on-vanity meeting.
Read more: How to Make Timber Work in the Bathroom
Read more: How to Make Timber Work in the Bathroom
Choose hardware and tapware for less flexible hands
Fiddly drawer and cabinet door pulls are difficult for less supple fingers. Touch opening, recessed top ledges, cut-out niches or ergonomically-designed handles are more hand-friendly. Soft-close drawers are dreamily quiet and convenient. Have some open shelves too for easy access to towels and bath products.
Fiddly drawer and cabinet door pulls are difficult for less supple fingers. Touch opening, recessed top ledges, cut-out niches or ergonomically-designed handles are more hand-friendly. Soft-close drawers are dreamily quiet and convenient. Have some open shelves too for easy access to towels and bath products.
There is a bewildering range of beautiful bathroom tapware out there. How to negotiate it? Firstly, mixer taps help reduce scalding mishaps. Barnes recommends ones with long levers – “you can get more hand purchase on a longer lever” – rather than traditional turning tapheads requiring more digital dexterity and strength. An invisible feature that ensures a longer-lasting tap is ‘ceramic disc technology’ – ask your designer.
TIP: My biggest moan about tap design is tiny hot/cold indicators. Although left = hot, right = cold may be intuitive now, it may not always be so, and eyesight has a habit of fading as we age. Choose taps that show clearly which is which.
TIP: My biggest moan about tap design is tiny hot/cold indicators. Although left = hot, right = cold may be intuitive now, it may not always be so, and eyesight has a habit of fading as we age. Choose taps that show clearly which is which.
Although ‘rainforest’ shower heads are greatly in vogue, a separate shower head with capability to adjust height and flow direction is a must. Barnes installs a lot of hand showers in addition to primary shower heads. “A big bonus is that they make cleaning the shower area much easier.”
TIP: Don’t you hate reaching through falling water to adjust the temperature before stepping in? Although mixers take out a lot of guesswork, make sure they are located a safe distance from the shower flow. Scalds are more likely – and more serious – on older skin or on those with poor circulation.
TIP: Don’t you hate reaching through falling water to adjust the temperature before stepping in? Although mixers take out a lot of guesswork, make sure they are located a safe distance from the shower flow. Scalds are more likely – and more serious – on older skin or on those with poor circulation.
Light up the night
Evenly spread lighting is a must – shadows reduce visibility and can change perspective. Symmetrical side lighting on vanity mirrors is very easy on the eyes.
Barnes advises that bleary-eyed night-time loo trips are much safer with motion sensitive kick space and floor lighting, or lighting that comes on automatically after sunset. LED lighting cost is very cost-effective and can be left on for long periods without blowing the electricity budget.
There are stylish and functional alternatives to traditional light switches. Fingertip control buttons are ultra-easy to operate for not-so-flexible hands. Check out some super-slick automated lighting systems at GreenStar Technologies.
Evenly spread lighting is a must – shadows reduce visibility and can change perspective. Symmetrical side lighting on vanity mirrors is very easy on the eyes.
Barnes advises that bleary-eyed night-time loo trips are much safer with motion sensitive kick space and floor lighting, or lighting that comes on automatically after sunset. LED lighting cost is very cost-effective and can be left on for long periods without blowing the electricity budget.
There are stylish and functional alternatives to traditional light switches. Fingertip control buttons are ultra-easy to operate for not-so-flexible hands. Check out some super-slick automated lighting systems at GreenStar Technologies.
Get a grip
There is some resistance to putting grab rails in bathrooms, mostly for aesthetic reasons, often because they are an admission of old age. Concealed fixing has solved some of the aesthetic issues and Barnes suggests having walls braced internally to handle future need for handrails near loos and baths. “Don’t install them now if you don’t need them,” he says. “If they become necessary, have them professionally installed as they need to support body weight. Poorly attached rails are worse than none at all.”
There is some resistance to putting grab rails in bathrooms, mostly for aesthetic reasons, often because they are an admission of old age. Concealed fixing has solved some of the aesthetic issues and Barnes suggests having walls braced internally to handle future need for handrails near loos and baths. “Don’t install them now if you don’t need them,” he says. “If they become necessary, have them professionally installed as they need to support body weight. Poorly attached rails are worse than none at all.”
Don’t do the twist
Seemingly trivial, but put the loo roll holder within easy reach, with no twisting or bending required. Many holders are too clever, needing an engineering degree – and nimble fingers – to change the roll. Choose one that only needs one hand to change paper. This sleek design has the advantage of being light and portable.
Seemingly trivial, but put the loo roll holder within easy reach, with no twisting or bending required. Many holders are too clever, needing an engineering degree – and nimble fingers – to change the roll. Choose one that only needs one hand to change paper. This sleek design has the advantage of being light and portable.
Keep spare toilet rolls at easy arm’s length from the toilet. If possible, position the toilet with a side barrier, so a handrail can be installed at a later date if necessary. Soft-close toilet seats land with a gentle sigh and won’t slam down unexpectedly, and loos can now be flushed with the wave of a hand over a sensor.
Colour matters
Bathroom colours are not merely about aesthetics. Monochrome colour schemes, like all white, can be visually uncomfortable and distracting for poor eyesight. Contrasts between various surfaces visually differentiate them and prevent knocks and bumps.
Bathroom colours are not merely about aesthetics. Monochrome colour schemes, like all white, can be visually uncomfortable and distracting for poor eyesight. Contrasts between various surfaces visually differentiate them and prevent knocks and bumps.
Safety first doesn’t mean aesthetics need come a poor second. Colour is also about ambience. Stark white can be hospital-sterile; unrelieved dark muddy shades can be gloomy. A crisp, smart colour palette like this yellow, grey and white one is energising and fresh. Soft blues, yellows, greens, caramels and greys will creature a gorgeous, soothing cocoon and add enormously to your bathroom pleasure.
Severe disabilities and illness require many more specific recommendations than suggested here. Ageing and aged care advice is available from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
MORE
A Dream Country Home for Growing Old Gracefully
5 Common Bathroom Blunders and How to Avoid Them
How to Update Your Bathroom Without a Sledgehammer
TELL US
Are you planning to ‘age in place’? How would you modify your bathroom for this to be possible? Share with us in the Comments section.
Severe disabilities and illness require many more specific recommendations than suggested here. Ageing and aged care advice is available from the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
MORE
A Dream Country Home for Growing Old Gracefully
5 Common Bathroom Blunders and How to Avoid Them
How to Update Your Bathroom Without a Sledgehammer
TELL US
Are you planning to ‘age in place’? How would you modify your bathroom for this to be possible? Share with us in the Comments section.
In Australia, slips and falls are the leading cause of accidental death in over 65s, and bathrooms have two of the main factors involved in accidents: water and hard surfaces. There’s no substitute for expert advice, and the designer’s job, says Barnes, is to create a user-friendly environment that prevents accidents in the first place.
A poor – and unfortunately common – design feature that irks Barnes is the location of the shower area directly opposite the bathroom entrance. “Water from showering and drying off gets walked over the floor and makes a hazard for other users.”