Bathroom
We give special attention to the most important room in the house for safety.
Bathroom Equipment
Find the products that are right for you or your loved one.
In many homes, a few key products, like a bathroom safety seat for the tub, strategically placed grab bars, non-slip mats, and a raised toilet seat, will do the job without a costly remodel. We want to work with you to design the best solution for your health and safety without breaking the bank.
In addition to the equipment, we have an expert installation service available. Our Kohll’s modifications team specializes in making your entire home accessible and safe, without compromising elegance. Take a look at our portfolio, or schedule your free consultation today.
7 Most Important Bathroom Modifications to Consider
Bathtub or Shower Access
The bath or shower should be easy to enter. A walk-in tub or barrier-free shower would be an investment, but would provide a long-term value and the safest possible solution.
If entering and exiting the bathtub or shower is fairly easy, then additional safety features can go a long way to significantly making your bathtub or shower safer and they are fairly inexpensive:
- Lever faucets handles
- Non-slip flooring
- Grab bars or hand rails
- Shower seat
- Adjustable and handheld showerheads / spray attachments
Toilet Height
As we age or recover from certain injuries, standing from a seated position can become difficult and dangerous. Standard toilet seats are 15 inches high from seat to floor, while comfort toilet seats that are ADA-compliant are 17 to 19 inches from seat to floor. You have options for this:
- Toilet seat lifters or bathroom safety seats with handrails that bolt to a standard toilet
- A new toilet that is ADA-compliant and easier to stand from (if going this route, we recommend combining with grab bars or hand rails and no-slip surfaces)
- Free-standing toilet
Grab Bars and Hand Rails
Make navigating the toilet, sink, bathtub, shower, and drying area much safer. Work with an expert like the Kohll's Rx Modification Team to model the safest usage and paths within the bathroom. Grab bars and handrails should be within reach anywhere standing will require assistance.
No-Slip Floors
Many bathroom floors are tile or hard acrylic. These surfaces can become slick when wet, posing a hazard. Consider the various solutions that could keep your loved ones safe:
- Bath mats or bath rugs
- No-slip strips for targeted areas
- A wide range of water-resistant, no-slip flooring options (like porcelain/glass, ceramic, vinyl, cork, and bamboo) for a long-term solution
Sink, Mirror, and Towel Rack Height
Adjusting the height of the sink can maximize accessibility and comfort. With 27-inch clearance, you can sit with your knees under the sink in a seat or wheelchair. In that case, you’d also want to adjust the faucet handles, mirror, and towel racks to best work with this new position. Pedal faucets are also an option.
Alert Systems
An alert system can keep bathroom trips private, while assuring everyone that the user will be safe in the event of a fall.
Light, Space, and Storage
Lighting is essential not only to everyday usage, but highlighting edges, corners and water on the floor that can be hazards. Be sure counter and sink edges are rounded and preferably have a high contrast for the vision impaired.
Note how movement through the bathroom could be impacted if a wheelchair or other adaptive movement device is required.
- The ADA suggests a 50-inch turning radius to protect knees and toes while sitting down.
- Doors should be 34 inches wide for wheelchair access.
- Bathroom doors should preferably open out rather than in. Pocket doors are another option.
Sliding drawers can be a much more accessible storage use versus cabinets that require a user to lean in to reach for items in the back.