Luxury bathrooms that double as at-home spa retreats are the ultimate indulgence.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean they also safe.
In 2011, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that roughly 235,000 each year visit the emergency room because of bathroom-related injuries. So, how can you create a shower that’s beautiful and safe?
- Shower Rails
- Curbless Entry
- Enlarged Shower
- Wide Doorway
- Easy Accessory Access
- Handheld Shower Mount
- Nonslip Floors
- Good Lighting
- Shower Seat
Shower Rails
With all the water involved in bathing, showers are inherently slippery. This is why shower rails are one of the most important safety features in your bathroom.
Traditionally, shower rails (aka grab bars) were simply institutional looking metal bars bolted to the wall. Talk about an eyesore.
Today shower rails come in a variety of finishes and shapes. Good designers can incorporate them naturally into your shower design, utilizing tile patterns and wall layouts to create a beautiful finish.
Curbless Entry
Whether you’re sore from a hard workout or you just can’t move as well anymore, stepping up and into a shower can make it difficult to bathe. A curbless entry offers barrier free access to your shower – making it easier to bathe independently.
Enlarged Shower
A spacious shower gives you room to move around and enjoy the steam, whether you’re by yourself or showering with your partner.
But, a large footprint has another key advantage. If you ever need the assistance of a walker or wheelchair to access your shower, it can make this more manageable.
Wide Doorway
Like a large shower, a large doorway cuts down on the access barriers of traditional showers. In some instances, your designer can help you create a door less shower. This can make it even more user friendly.
However, if your shower needs a door, try and design a door that opens out. If someone happens to fall, the door won’t be blocked.
Easy Accessory Access
When moving is hard, you want to make it as easy as possible to access the items you need. Your guests might not be up for bending over to grab the shampoo or reaching high overhead for your bar of soap. By using built-in niches, you’ll always have a place to store your bathroom accessories.
Handheld Shower Mount
A handheld shower mount acts as both a traditional mounted showerhead and a handheld showerhead. This gives you’re the ultimate in flexibility as you bathe. If moving your body is difficult, you can move the spray.
Ideally, you’ll want the shower mount to have at least a 6-foot long hose.
Nonslip Floor
Water plus a slick floor is a bad combination. And in the bathroom, there’s lots of water. Tile designers have begun developing slip-resistant tiles. Additionally, tile designs that use smaller tiles provide more friction and better grip.
If you don’t like the look of simply small tiles, ask your designer about incorporating small and large tiles to get the best of both worlds.
Good Lighting
Like when driving, glare and shadows can make it hard to move. Make sure there is plenty of light in your shower and directly outside of it. This will help you see your bathroom accessories and maintain a stable footing.
Shower Seat
Shower seats come in a variety of styles. You can get simple folding ones that can be removed or added as needed. While these are functional, they often don’t offer the aesthetic appeal you typically expect in a luxury bathroom.
Alternatively, built-in shower seats are a way to introduce functional beauty that those of all mobility levels will be able to enjoy. These could be created with the same tile scheme as your shower. Or, this could be a good way to introduce a mixed-material look with the addition of a wood bench.
Let’s talk about how you can create a shower that’s beautiful and safe.