When planning a new bathroom, it makes sense to think beyond its immediate appearance. A well-designed bathroom should work for you now while remaining comfortable, practical and accessible as your needs change.
Future-proofing does not mean creating a clinical-looking room or installing equipment you do not currently need. It means making sensible design decisions during the renovation so that the bathroom can be adapted more easily in the future.
Start With an Accessible Layout
A spacious, uncluttered layout makes a bathroom easier for everyone to use. Where possible, consider wider access around the toilet, basin and shower area, along with enough room to move comfortably between each feature.
Removing unnecessary obstacles and choosing carefully positioned bathroom furniture can improve the flow of the room without compromising its appearance.
Wall-hung furniture can be especially useful. It creates a more open appearance, makes the floor easier to clean and can sometimes be installed at a height suited to the people using the bathroom.
Consider a Level-Access Shower
Replacing a raised shower tray or bath with a level-access shower can make the bathroom considerably easier to use. A wet-room floor or low-profile shower tray removes the need to step over a high threshold and creates a more seamless appearance.
A fixed glass screen can maintain the contemporary character of the room while providing a more open and accessible showering area.
Correct preparation, drainage and waterproofing are vital. Level-access showers should always be designed around the construction of the room and installed using compatible, reputable systems.
Prepare Walls for Future Grab Rails
You may not require grab rails today, but preparing for them during a bathroom renovation can save considerable disruption later.
Suitable reinforcement can be installed behind tiled walls in carefully selected positions. Grab rails can then be fitted securely if they become necessary, without opening the wall or completely retiling the area.
The same approach can be taken with a future wall-mounted shower seat.
Choose Fixtures That Improve Comfort
Small decisions can make a significant difference to everyday comfort. These might include:
- A comfort-height toilet
- An easy-to-operate shower control
- A handheld shower attachment
- Non-slip or slip-resistant flooring
- Practical storage at an accessible height
- A raised or wall-mounted basin
- Lever-style taps
- Clear, comfortable lighting
These features can be incorporated into a stylish bathroom and are useful for people of different ages and abilities.
Plan for Your Forever Home
If you intend to remain in your home for many years, your bathroom should be designed with that in mind. Planning ahead allows potential adaptations to be incorporated discreetly, rather than waiting until they are urgently required.
At Vortex Bathrooms, we design and install accessible bathrooms throughout Solihull. We can help you create a bathroom that complements your home, meets your current requirements and is prepared for whatever the future may bring.
Contact Vortex Bathrooms to discuss a stylish, practical and future-ready bathroom for your Solihull home.