1st Floor Bathroom Shower Accessibility Dilema
Hi I'm doing a major renovation extension on my home. I have 3 full bathrooms upstairs, but I need to design a full bathroom on my first floor for my dad who is in a wheelchair. He does not live with me, but may do so for some short periods of time in the future. So my challenge is to make it functional for him on the occasions he will use it but functional and attractive as my main floor bathroom. The architect drew a corner shower but I think it's too tight for him to enter. Plus all the corner showers I've seen have the beautiful glass sides which is not an option since I can't mount a grab bar on that. He has a long bench that straddles the entrance to shower( it is perpendicular to the entrance) he then sits on it and slides into the shower area. The bathroom is 6x6 and there is no room to change those dimensions. My home is a 1933 center hall colonial. Thank you in advance.
Comments (12)
Karin M.
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Help! My 1st Remodeling Project-Main Bathroom
Comments (15)It is a little overwhelming to start. You have the functionality aspect of planning the bathroom and then the fixtures/look aspect. I definitely find it less exciting to research the functionality options but that usually ends up being where I wished I spent more time. For the functional - some of the things I think I remember is making a decision - do you want your vanity standard at I think 30 inches (this is our hall bath) our taller at 34 1/2 (our masterbath), or even taller at 36". The 34 1/2 is definitely more comfortable for me than when I use the 30" tall vanity in the hall. Someone else made the point of working around the pipes with the drawer so you can gain more storage. I wasn't able to get that in the cabinet line and every time I see the false drawers I think of what can't be stored there. You may also want to think, where else can you get more storage. In one case - had a niche build in the wall and added a glass shelf - this it the side wall that is next to the vanity. With the fan - someone mentioned making sure it vents properly thru the roof. In addition to that, you may want to see if a skylight is possible and how much it would cost. I wasn't a big skylight person (worried it would leak), but now I love having the extra light in the bathroom and extra ventilation. Not sure if you decided on a grab bar for the shower. Also if you are going with a shower niche (they have the plastic molds that can be tiled into the shower - I think that is easier for contractors to work with, but it is defined sizes) For the fixtures - I used faucetdirect with no problem and did a lot of online shopping. Where I had problems was with the valves and drains and I am not sure if that was because I didn't utilize the sales people enough or that you had to be familiar with my setup specifically to know which product. In one case, the drain wasn't quite right even though it was recommended to go with the tub. The contractor made it work. In another, luckily my contractor told me to order the pop-up drain for the sink. That's another one that doesn't necessarily match for me online. Since my faucet controls were in the wall, I needed the popup drain in the sink. With the valves, in a custom shower, I didn't do my homework on the 1/2 inch versus 3/4 inch and that I needed a transfer valve to switch between the handheld and the main shower. Last thing - I think the tile from HD or Lowes is fine. Tile can get pricey and that is where I wish I had found something that looked nice but was less expensive. If you do want to splurge on something - maybe look into the Benjamin Moore Bath and Spa line paint. It is made for bathrooms and has a matte finish....See MoreBathroom Floor Dilema
Comments (3)Is there a warmth in the porcelain slabs? I did a porcelain marble look that has an ever so slight warmth to it. It looks white but when next to my walnut vanity and trim it is stunning. For a floor I’d do the darker gray in your marble. But I’d want it to go well with the brown wood I’d be using. You’re going to have to pull all your samples into your room with your lighting to see what goes together....See MorePlease help me design my small accessible/universal designed bathroom
Comments (4)Contractors do not design. They build. You need an actual K&B designer. You have a very restrictive space to get all that you want without turning it into a wet room. You, and your husband especially, need to educate yourself on modern waterproofing systems and how a wet room is properly created. The Schluter system will offer a lifetime warranty if their products are used from start to finish, including their thinset. Look at their YouTube channel. And don’t be so sure that your choice tractor can actually do this properly. Especially if he hasn’t had the wetroom and waterproofing conversation with you. Read below, and have a tough conversation with him on all points raised. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer...See MoreOld Vintage Bathroom Dilema
Comments (18)P.P.S. to say that I looked around online for bathroom pictures that were from the time period of my house and also some photos of real houses for ideas. Found some good stuff. That metal shower surround is not period appropriate and I do not like them, particularly if you have hard water like we did. I went all shower curtain and did not regret it one bit. Kept the water in just fine and I could wash it with bleach, much easier than keeping all those seams clean between the metal shower door frame and the wall, not to mention filmy build-up and water stains on the metal. I will recommend Vintage Tub and Bath as a great spot to find functioning old fashioned plumbing fixtures. Yours are neutral so again, I wouldn't sweat it, but if you ever find yourself needing something, they were a great source for us. https://www.vintagetub.com/ Here's a link to a photo gallery from our redo. Very similar bathroom. The inspiration photos are at the bottom, the top photos are what we started with. Also, the redo is on the second page but I didn't take any photos of the final project after we painted and redid the rugs, towels, shower curtain, art, etc. We could have gone for a pedestal, but we had so little linen storage space in our house we decided to keep the sink storage cabinet. We spent our money on the tub surround and tub fixtures, due to it being in the worst shape and needing the most work. http://www.pbase.com/lpink/bathroomredo...See More
cpartist
5 years agopalimpsest
5 years agoIf you absolutely have no more room to devote to this bath, you may be able to get away with something like this. The sink might actually have to be completely inside the wet area and small.
_sophiewheeler
5 years agopalimpsest
5 years agoKarin M.
5 years agomrspete
5 years agoMy dad can actually take some steps into the
bathroom with a quad cane so he can leave his wheelchair outside and I
could position a chair near the sink and shower benchAnd that will make all the difference -- and he's certainly not alone in using a wheelchair, yet not needing it 100% of the time. I've had a couple students who used wheelchairs to reach the classroom, but then could transfer themselves to a student desk.
The question is, will he continue to be able to do this as he ages? Some conditions are progressive, others are not.
Be sure to include ample grab bars in the right places.
Consider where the wheelchair would be left -- in a hallway? Consider the door swing -- after he's exited the chair, he must maneuver around the doors, which seem to be taking up all the hallway. Then, once he's in the room, he must be able to reach and close the two large doors. Realistically, he'd probably need some help entering the room.
but I don't know that moving is something that people take so lightly.
No, moving for the sake of one bathroom makes no sense. It would be easier to renovate, even if it meant leaving this bathroom "as is" and adding a bump-out somewhere.
I would do a white subway on the walls with a decorative white profile
pattern tile for interest 1/3 of the way up. I assume I would need a
pedestal sink or a console sink.White is definitely your best option in such a small space. You're fortunate to have a window too; a good, big mirror will reflect that natural light and make this a nice space.
I agree with a pedestal sink; it'll visually open things up. Since you have no storage in this bathroom, I'd add an extra-deep medicine cabinet (they can be 6" deep) and a glass shelf above the sink.
I'd also go with one of these towel shelves at the end of the shower:
Someone actually suggested maybe a stationary glass panel shielding the toilet so the seat and toilet paper don't get wet.Stationary glass makes perfect sense in this situation. I'm not sure where you could place a toilet paper holder in this design ... you'll probably have to have one of those freestanding things.
Picture of tiles and sink I had in mind
Nice tile.
Karin M.
5 years agopalimpsest
5 years agoKarin M.
5 years ago
cpartist