Accessible Bathroom Remodel​ing

Accessible Living

Let us work together to create a handicap accessible bathroom that combines functionality with beauty, providing safety and comfort for you or your loved ones.

Bathroom Design

Aging In Place Experts

Smart bathroom design is a smart move for any homeowner, no matter your age or mobility.

With a few simple updates, you can make your bathroom safer and more comfortable – not just for seniors or those recovering from an injury, but for everyone in the house. These changes help ensure your space stays easy to use for years to come, giving you peace of mind and the freedom to enjoy your home as you get older.

  • Walk-In Tubs

  • Showers

  • Grab Bars

  • Sinks

  • Toilets

  • Fixtures
  • Lighting
  • Cabinets

  • Tile

Frequently Asked Questions

“Aging in place” refers to the concept of allowing older adults to remain in their own home or community as they age, rather than moving to specialized housing or care facilities. This approach is often preferred because it enables individuals to maintain a greater level of independence, stay in familiar surroundings, and possibly enjoy a higher quality of life. Aging in place may involve modifying one’s home to accommodate changing physical needs like installing grab bars or a shower that can accommodate a wheelchair. The goal is to ensure safety, comfort, and well-being as one ages, while minimizing the disruption that can come from relocating to new living environments.

Designing an aging-in-place bathroom involves incorporating features that enhance safety, accessibility, and comfort for older adults, allowing them to use the bathroom independently and safely as their mobility and physical capabilities change. Here are key elements to consider:

1. Floor Plan and Space
  • Spacious Layout: Ensure there’s enough room to move around easily, especially for someone using a walker or wheelchair. A clearance of at least 5 feet in diameter for turning is recommended.
  • Curbless Shower: A walk-in, curbless shower minimizes the risk of tripping. Ensure it is large enough to accommodate a seat and assistive devices if necessary.
2. Safety Features
  • Grab Bars: Install sturdy grab bars near the toilet, in the shower, and by the bathtub to help prevent falls. These should be positioned at easy-to-reach heights and installed into wall studs for strength.
  • Non-slip Flooring: Use non-slip tiles or treatments to reduce the risk of falls on wet surfaces. Small textured tiles are often a good choice because the additional grout lines provide better grip.
3. Accessibility
  • Comfort Height Toilet: Toilets that are a few inches taller than standard models can make sitting down and standing up easier.
  • Walk-in Tub: Consider a walk-in bathtub with a door for those who have difficulty stepping over the side of a standard tub. Ensure it has built-in safety features like non-slip flooring and a comfortable seat.
4. Fixtures and Fittings
  • Lever Faucets: Faucets with lever handles are easier for people with limited hand strength or dexterity to use compared to traditional knobs.
  • Handheld Showerheads: A handheld showerhead can be more convenient for those who need to shower seated. It also makes cleaning the shower area easier.
5. Lighting and Visibility
  • Ample Lighting: Good lighting is essential for safety. Include bright, non-glare lights in all areas of the bathroom.
  • Contrasting Colors: Use contrasting colors between floors, walls, and fixtures to help those with vision impairments discern different surfaces and depths.
6. Emergency Response
  • Emergency Call Button: Consider installing an emergency call system or button in the bathroom, within easy reach from the floor in case of a fall.
7. General Comfort and Ease of Use
  • Adjustable Shower Seat: A built-in or sturdy freestanding shower seat can provide stability and comfort for those who cannot stand for long periods.
  • Thermostatic Controls: Shower controls that maintain a constant temperature can prevent scalding, an important feature for those with reduced sensitivity to heat.

When designing an aging-in-place bathroom, collaboration with professionals who specialize in accessible design can be invaluable. They can provide insights into the latest products and technologies to enhance safety and accessibility. Additionally, it’s important to tailor the design to the specific needs and preferences of the individual who will be using the space, ensuring it will serve them well both now and in the future.

Firstly, you are provided the peace of mind knowing that you will have a beautiful bathroom for all the years to come. Out dated ideas may lead you to believe that bathrooms do not need to be prepared for aging until necessary. However, that is no longer true. You do not have to give up luxury, beauty, or comfortability to make your bathroom safe, as the market today is full of options that make both safety and aesthetic a priority.

Moreover, as trends suggest, more and more people are opting to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Remodeling your bathroom to age in place provides the security of knowing you will be able to continue to flourish in your home without concerns for your safety, or the safety of anyone in your home.

Finally, you are provided the comfortability of staying familiar surroundings no matter what the future holds for you. You will be able to continue to make memories and experiences, without the fear that you will eventually have to leave the home you love.

Yes. Metropolitan Bath & Tile has Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) who are trained in the unique needs of the older adult population, aging in place home modifications, common remodeling projects, and solutions to common barriers.

The Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation was developed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers™ Council, in collaboration with the AARP, NAHB Research Center and NAHB Seniors Housing Council.

Metropolitan Bath & Tile designers will answer your concerns by creating a unique, senior friendly bathroom design for you that is beautiful as well as sensible. Our helpful team will listen to your needs, analyze your space and budget and present a variety of options for your bathroom remodeling that doesn’t look dull or utilitarian.

Interested in getting started on a bathroom to accommodate a disability or can live out your senior years comfortably in? Come by one of our showrooms and see the many choices you have in creating a stylish yet accessible bathroom space you’ll love.

Metropolitan Bath & Tile

Showrooms Near Fairfax, VA

From the moment you walk into our Fairfax-area showrooms, you’ll be welcomed by a wide variety of bathroom styles and ideas to help bring your dream space to life.

Visit one of our five convenient showroom locations across Central Maryland and Northern Virginia, including the Fairfax area, where our experienced designers are ready to help turn your vision into a beautiful reality.