Universal Design Ideas for the Bath

In the bathroom, we strive to create a toileting area that is accessible and supportive of all members of the family. It will come as no surprise that toilets at comfortable heights seem to be the default these days, and the technology that warms the seat, tickles our toes and plays or music, provides wash and dry and evacuates bacteria and odors along with waste is more readily available.

In addition, a toilet seat that integrates a child seat and LED lighting that guides the way on nocturnal visits with minimal distortion to sleep patterns is beautifully universal. Not only are supports and grab bars becoming more attractive, they are being integrated into the accessories from multiple manufacturers. In the vanity area, again LED lighting is improving our options for truly functional and attractive lighting for the task at hand. There are a variety of products that feature touch controls, and motion-activated faucets along with easy grip faucets. While we're on a roll with LED lighting, how about the floor tiles that beautifully incorporate lighting to gently help with way finding?

We are all probably aware that, should a bather begin to slip in the shower or tub, he/she would likely grab whatever might be there to avoid falling. To reduce the risk that whatever is gripped might not hold, new products are available including an adjustable-height hand spray mounted on a bar that is designed as a grab bar.

There was a time not so long ago that, in order to create a trough-style drain with an attractive drill or grate, it would have had to been design and fabricated as a custom piece. Now there are more of these systems, designed beautifully, and available which offer multiple benefits in that we can now design with the same tile throughout the space, as the floor need slope in only one direction.