BATHROOM renovations take place for a multitude of reasons. You could be extending your home, you might be upgrading to a more modern finish, or you might have more practical reasons for updating your existing space. Many of our customers come to us because they need to adapt their bathroom. They may be accommodating a relative who's getting older and who's looking for safer and more practical solutions in the bathroom. Or perhaps there are mobility or access issues that need to be taken into account. Whatever your reason, here at SONAS Bathrooms, we have many tips on hand to help you future proof your bathroom. It is possible to create a stylish, safe and accessible solution for your family's needs. There are numerous, easy ways in which you can make this work in your home.
-
Access.
There are building regulations in place that stipulate that new homes/extensions should have wheelchair accessible bathrooms downstairs. If you're adapting your upstairs loo, you could also look at widening your doorways to ensure that a wheelchair user can easily get through the door and turn their chair around without difficulty once inside. Also think about your light switches outside - are they low enough? 
2. A Wetroom
If you want your bathroom to be fully wheelchair accessible, you should consider creating a wet room. Traditional shower trays aren't accessible to wheelchair users, whereas a wet room, where there's no shower tray, allows a wheelchair user to access the shower area easily. Our slate slimline shower trays are also suitable as they are extremely low profile and they can be recessed, so they're flat to the floor and accessible via a wheelchair. These trays are also anti-slip, so for elderly people or people with poor mobility, they offer more peace of mind. A shower seat is also a good idea. Our wet room panels also come in various shapes and sizes, meaning you can choose something that suits the needs of those using your bathroom. If you're creating a wet room you need to tank out or waterproof your entire bathroom. If you're using a shower tray, you need to tank out the area around the shower only. 
3. Your Toilet
Your toilet is something you should consider when creating a bathroom for someone with mobility issues. A comfort height toilet is a great option as it's easier to use due to its height. So for someone with back pain or a bad knee or hip, a comfort height toilet is a good idea. You could also consider a back support or a grab rail for even more security. 
4. Shower Safety
As well as making sure your shower is accessible, keeping it safe and avoiding scalds is also important. Someone with mobility issues or who might have trouble using their hands due to things such as arthritis may want to avoid fiddly taps or shower settings. Installing a thermostatic shower kit will offer peace of mind thanks to its anti-scald properties. The water has an inbuilt temperature control so that the water that comes out of the shower head is never overly hot - it's the perfect body temperature. This is ideal for kids too.
5. Taps
Mixer taps are a good idea as they mean that scalding is less likely at your basin. As well as this, screw taps are fiddlier than taps that you simply lift, so they're much easier to use for people with arthritis or not much strength in their hands. All they have to do is lift the lever and the water flows. We have a wide range of fabulous taps available to suit every need and budget. 
If you're renovating your bathroom to suit someone who has a mobility issue, or if you're simply future-proofing your bathroom, please contact our team who will be able to advise you on products that will suit your family's needs. Beauty and functionality don't have to be mutually exclusive - our fantastic range of products will help you create a space that's both practical and stylish. Our 5000 sq ft showroom in Dublin 15 is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and we have retailers all over Ireland who will be able to order anything from our SONAS Bathrooms catalogue. Check out where your nearest stockist is.
Next Day Delivery