Designing Bathrooms with Safety and Beauty in Mind

Today's bath is not just a facility to use "as needed" anymore! Whether young or old, we all like to have a place to escape and relax. And, bathrooms are getting bigger and more luxurious to suit this need. But, the bathroom is the number one place for accidents in the home, so this must be our priority when designing them. Universal Design is the term used to define the design of a home when living in it is safe and practical for everyone, from children, to those in the prime of their lives, to the middle-aged, to the elderly and handicapped.

People come in all sizes, shapes and varieties and so do their homes. Homes that feature Universal Design are functional, and designed to suit the needs of all users throughout their life cycles. Creating a safer, more functional environment for families ¾ this is the basis of Universal Design.

Here are some things you should consider when remodeling your bathroom and making it safe for your whole family:

Shower faucets that are pressure balanced , are now the law in Florida. These will prevent you from being burned when there is a fluctuation in water pressure.

We also try to go a step further in a shower by installing a thermostatic valve. This not only keeps the pressure consistent, but also sets the temperature to exactly what you want it to be.

Non slip flooring is tile that has a textured surface. Particularly on stairs, and inside and outside shower areas, this will reduce the risk of slipping and falling.

In the event of someone slipping or simply to help you get in and out of the tub, safety grab bars are also recommended in a modern bath design. With the decorative styles available today, they no longer need to be reminiscent of a hospital bathroom.

In addition, it is smart to eliminate steps to any shower or tub, as these can be extremely dangerous when wet. Installing a bench or seat inside the shower area is also a great way to assist someone, especially the elderly and physically challenged. Or, it can simply be a place to sit and relax while showering.

A hand held hose for the shower offers similar advantages, giving the elderly, handicapped, or injured the ability to maneuver better, either sitting or standing.

Higher water closets (toilets) are another good way to prevent someone from getting hurt. The greater the height, the easier it is to get up and down.

Installing tempered glass in all windows and doors near any wet areas will also prevent serious injury should someone fall.

While exhaust fans are known to ventilate the bathroom, keeping it fresher and cleaner as well as protecting wallpaper and paint, new fans have a night light function for safety while moving around at night.

Lever handles rather than dials are more suitable in today's bath, as dials can be extremely hard to turn when they get soapy.

A Ground Fault Interceptor (GFCI) should be installed in any bathroom to protect users from electrocution.

Custom selected higher/lower vanities offer more comfort for the family, aiding the handicapped, children, and even those with bad backs. If there are two vanities, each can be adjusted individually.

The objective of Universal Design is to create beautiful, yet comfortable and safe homes that will literally last a lifetime. If done properly, it's a sure bet that no one who enters your home will even know the basis for your design decisions.