Accessibility typically requires space, especially if you’re designing a space for someone who relies on a wheelchair, walker, or another mobility device. But what if you have a small bathroom? Can a small bathroom be made accessible for those with reduced mobility? Read this article to get a few tips.
Fold-Down Safety Bars
Safety bars beside the toilet are a must-have. But in a small bathroom, you might not have a wall on both sides of the toilet to accommodate the addition of these bars. In these cases, a fold-down safety bar on one side can make a big difference. You can mount it on the wall behind the toilet, then fold it down as needed, and push it back up when not in use to allow for easier movement around the toilet.
Outward Swinging Doors
If your bathroom is small, the last thing you want is to have to navigate around the bathroom door. So while most doors typically swing into a room, you might want to rehang your doors so that they swing outwards instead. This will give you more room to navigate inside the bathroom when the door is opened and remove one more obstacle to your mobility.
Relocating Storage
While it’s great to have access to easy storage in your bathroom, it’s more important that you can move safely around the space. So, if your bathroom feels too cramped, consider relocating the storage to somewhere close by, but not inside the bathroom itself. This might even mean putting a small storage cupboard just outside the bathroom door if you don’t have a closet or other built-in storage space nearby.
You can even replace your sink and the cabinet beneath it with a pedestal sink. This gives you a bit more room to move in close to the sink with your wheelchair, walker, or cane. You can move anything stored under that sink to another location.
Shower-Tub Combo
For a small bathroom, there’s no better option than a shower-tub combo. This provides you with the uses of both a bathtub and a shower stall in a single unit that takes up a lot less space. And in terms of accessibility, you can find a walk-in version of this combination, which allows for easy entry and exit while providing many additional accessibility features. They have an accessible upright seat, built-in safety bars, anti-scald technology, and luxury add-ons that can actually make your bath into a spa-like experience. These are by far the best option available if you have a small bathroom and want an accessible, relaxing way to bathe.
