Designing a safe yet stylish bathroom can seem like a challenge, but with careful planning and the right products, you can create a gorgeous space that also prioritizes injury prevention. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to make safety go beautifully in the bath.
Choosing Flooring That Minimizes Fall Risks
Selecting the right type of flooring is one of the most important decisions when designing a safe, beautiful bathroom. Here are some of the best options:
Non-Slip Tiles
Tile can be an elegant flooring choice, but standard tiles can be dangerously slick when wet. Opt for textured, non-slip tiles with a coefficient of friction (CoF) of 0.60 or above, rated for both wet and dry use. Popular non-slip tile options include:
- Porcelain tiles with a textured surface for traction
- Mosaic tiles with pebble or stone designs that resist slipping
- Matte finish tiles that limit glossy slipperiness
Install non-slip tiles using a high traction grout to minimize gaps between tiles. Pay extra attention to traction on the floor surfaces near the tub and shower.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Waterproof luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring repels moisture while offering style and comfort underfoot. Look for textured, embossed LVP floors with non-slip backing. Wood-look planks can provide warmth without the high maintenance of real hardwoods.
LVP flooring is comfortable, durable, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Just be sure to select a style rated as high traction and slip resistant.
Rubber Floor Mats
For a quick and affordable way to improve traction, install rubber-backed anti-slip bath mats inside and outside the tub and shower. Mats with drainage holes prevent pooling water. Use bath mats in conjunction with non-slip floors for full coverage.
Place rubber mats strategically in high traffic zones and areas that may get wet:
- Inside the shower or bathtub
- In front of the sink
- Outside the shower/bath entrance
- On the floor near the toilet
Grab Bars, Handles, and Handrails for Stability
Installing grab bars, handles, and handrails throughout the bathroom provides stability and supports independent mobility.
Grab Bars in Key Locations
Install grab bars inside the tub or shower and near the toilet. Look for bars with a textured finish for a firm, slip-resistant grip. Choose sturdy grab bars designed to support up to 250-300 lbs. Proper placement puts bars within easy reach.
Grab bars should be installed into studs or solid blocking behind the wall. Suction cup bars do not provide reliable support.
Handrails by the Toilet and Sink
Handrails near the toilet and sink provide assistance standing up, sitting down, and balancing. Opt for rounded handrails between 1 1⁄4” to 2” in diameter for the easiest grip. Again, ensure rails are securely mounted into solid blocking or studs.
Handles on Cabinets and Drawers
Install handles on cabinets, drawers, and any storage with doors or drawers. Handles allow for an easier, firmer grip compared to knobs. Look for brushed nickel, chrome, or textured handles in a size and shape that fits comfortably in the hand.
Pull-out shelves in cabinets keep items within reach without bending down.
Smart Lighting for Visibility and Access
Proper lighting in all areas of the bathroom improves visibility and reduces falls.
Task Lighting at Key Spots
Install task lighting aimed at critical bathroom zones:
- On either side of the mirror above the vanity
- Above the toilet
- By the tub and shower
- Inside cabinets and drawers
Choose bulb types like LEDs that provide bright, white light for visibility.
Night Lights
Install plug-in or battery-powered night lights to illuminate pathways between the bedroom and bathroom. This allows safe passage in the dark. Motion activated night lights turn on automatically when you enter the room.
Light Switches Within Reach
Place light switches within easy reach of the entryway, and anywhere you step into the bathroom. Optional touch-activated or motion-sensing lights provide effortless control.
Non-Slip Bathtubs and Showers
Choosing tubs and showers with non-slip features helps prevent dangerous slips and falls inside the bathing area.
Textured Bathtub Surfaces
Look for tubs with textured, slip-resistant bottoms. Some options include:
- Porcelain enamel tubs with non-slip texturing
- Plastic and acrylic tubs with textured bottom surfaces or applied adhesive traction strips
- Molded fiberglass tubs with slip-resistant bottoms
A textured tub surface prevents slipping when entering or exiting wet soaking baths.
Non-Slip Shower Floors
Select showers and shower pans with textured or patterned floors for maximum traction. Options include:
- Stone resin shower pans with pebble patterns
- Poured concrete shower floors with traction-boosting aggregate mixes
- Tile showers with textured, non-slip grout
Use extra caution and non-slip mats in smooth-surfaced showers.
Grab Bars and Handrails
Install securely mounted grab bars inside bathtubs and showers to assist entering or exiting. Grab bars improve stability when transitioning between wet and dry surfaces.
Raised Toilets and Toilet Safety Rails
Sitting down and standing up from a toilet can lead to falls or loss of balance. ADA height and comfort height toilets along with safety rails provide assistance.
ADA and Comfort Height Toilets
ADA toilets meet federally mandated height standards between 17-19 inches high. For those without mobility issues, comfort height toilets range from 20-22 inches high.
The extra height makes sitting down and rising easier compared to standard 14-15 inch toilets. Chair height toilets at 25+ inches are another option.
Toilet Safety Rails
Safety rails around the toilet provide support and stability when moving from sit-to-stand. Rails come in different designs:
- Traditional standalone grab bars affix to the wall behind and/or beside the toilet
- Rails with angled legs providing a stable base either side
- Rails attached to toilet-mounted arm supports for total coverage
Getting up slowly and using the rails prevents falls.
Bathroom Safety Accessories
Well-designed accessories also boost bathroom safety:
Motion Sensor Faucets
Touch-free, motion activated faucets allow water flow without needing to physically turn handles. Hands-free faucets promote hygiene and prevent burns from hot handles.
Adjustable Height Vanity Mirrors
Vanity mirrors that slide up and down accommodate users of different heights. Position to your ideal viewing height while seated or standing.
Fog-Free Mirrors
Fog-free mirrors prevent buildup of condensation after bathing, ensuring a clear reflection. Options like defogging mirror heaters keep glass fog-free.
Magnifying Mirrors
Lighted, magnifying mirrors make grooming, makeup application, and skincare easier with zoomed-in visibility. Position magnifying mirrors at a comfortable height.
Night Lights
Glowing LED night lights allow safe entry and exit from the bathroom after dark. Place motion-sensing lights inside and outside the bathroom door.
Temperature Monitoring
Digital waterproof showerheads with temperature displays prevent accidental scalding. Wireless thermometers also monitor room temperature for comfort.
Designing Barrier-Free Showers
For those with mobility challenges, barrier-free showers allow easy, safe access:
Curbless Entry
Eliminating a raised tub edge or shower curb enables direct wheelchair entry. Slope the bathroom floor subtly towards the drain.
Fold-Down Shower Seats
Fold-down shower benches offer safe seating for those who cannot stand for long periods. Look for a seat sized at least 17-20 inches deep.
Shower Wheelchair
A waterproof shower wheelchair brings mobility-challenged individuals directly inside the stall for full benefits of the spray. The chair prevents slipping or falling.
Adjustable Hand Shower
Hand showers with adjustable slide bars accommodate different heights and accessibility needs. Easily direct water flow while seated or standing.
Helpful Bathroom Safety Tips
Along with safe design, smart practices ensure bathroom safety for all ages:
- Always wipe up spills immediately to prevent slippery surfaces
- Install a waterproof phone charger outside the bathroom for emergency access
- Apply anti-slip tape on the edges of sinks, tubs, and showers
- Make sure bath mats are non-slip and properly secured to the floor
- Have grab bars professionally installed to support body weight
- Test water temperature with your hand before entering a shower
- Use rubber drain covers to prevent toe injuries
- Opt for easy-turn levers instead of knob faucets
- Ensure plumbing under the sink is well-insulated
- Apply transparent film on glass shower doors to prevent dangerous shards
- Keep a cordless phone within reach of the tub, shower, and toilet
With planning and foresight, you can create a bathroom that elegantly marries form and function. Safety goes beautifully when you select surfaces, hardware, and accessories that stylishly prevent slips, falls, and injuries. A graciously aging-in-place design provides comfort, accessibility, and beauty. With the right materials and fixtures, your bathroom can both look lovely and support safe living.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safe and Stylish Bathrooms
Still have questions about creating a safe yet beautiful bathroom? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is tile or vinyl better for bathroom floors?
Both tile and vinyl floors can be great choices if you select non-slip materials rated for water resistance. Textured tile or slip-resistant luxury vinyl plank flooring prevents slippery surfaces.
What grab bars should I install in the shower?
Include at least two securely mounted grab bars in the shower. One on the back wall and a second bar on an adjacent side wall provide stability when entering or exiting.
How do I choose safe bathtubs and showers?
Seek out tubs and shower bases made with textured, slip-resistant materials like stone resin or porcelain enamel. Also, stick-on adhesive traction strips can be added to smooth tub surfaces.
How high should a comfort height toilet be?
Comfort height toilets range from 20-22 inches high measured from floor to seat top. This makes sitting and standing easier for those with mobility issues versus standard 14-15 inch toilets.
Should I get a plastic or metal toilet safety rail?
Metal rails provide the greatest stability and support adjacent to the toilet. Metal bars firmly screwed into the wall studs can hold up to 300 pounds. Plastic toilet rails may not provide adequate support.
How do I stop bathroom mirrors from fogging?
Fog-free mirrors prevent water condensation buildup so you can clearly see yourself after a shower. Options include mirrors with built-in heating elements, anti-fog coatings, and basic foaming bathroom mirror shaving cream.
Safety Goes Beautifully in Your Bathroom
Focusing on injury prevention in the bathroom doesn’t mean sacrificing style. On the contrary, planning for safety and accessibility allows you to create a space that is both gorgeous and comfortable for years to come.
With the right flooring, grab bars, lighting, and accessories, you can take a stand for safety while enjoying a beautifully designed bath. Prioritize easy mobility, ample lighting, slip-resistant surfaces, and stability-boosting handles and rails.
And don’t forget the final touches like magnifying mirrors, sensor-activated faucets, and adjustable shower heads that lend both appearance and functionality. By combining safety and beauty, you can relax in a bathroom that gracefully matches form with function.
