Aging-in-Place Bath Upgrade

Mar 22
2 min read

When the topic of an aging-in-place remodel comes up, some people imagine grab bars, ramps, wide doorways, and not much else. Of course, those may be needed, but they’re not the whole story.

If you want to succeed with this type of project, you need to think deeply about how every product and design element will help or hinder someone with mobility needs and how the home can adapt as those needs change. You should also be willing to consider the use of products that aren’t common in standard homes, such as wall-hung fixtures.

When done right, however, upgrading a space to support aging-in-place goals—also called remodeling for accessibility—is worth the effort. It will make the home more appealing to people of all ages, even those with no physical limitations.

A good example is the recent bathroom remodel completed on a home in East Brunswick, N.J. Built in 1982, the semi-contemporary, two-story structure has three baths—a second-floor bath for the primary bedroom, as well as first- and second floor hall baths—which, by 2022, were looking more than a bit dated. Moving walls to expand the room sizes was not an option, so the challenge was to create more usable space within the existing footprints.

Universal design is the norm in Asia and Europe and there are many examples of how that style can support accessibility goals while offering a clean, appealing look. A lot of baths in those parts of the world have walk-in showers and large-format gray tiles, as well as wall-hung fixtures and vanities. The spaces are small but feel bigger than they are.

The upgraded baths described in this article follow that style. They’re bright and modern and include features that make them easier for everyone to use and will make the house more appealing to potential buyers.