Handicap Access Bathroom Design

Handicap Access Bathroom Design

Designing a handicap access bathroom requires that a variety of guidelines be met. These guidelines suggest the height for sinks, toilets, light switches, showers and the space amount required for proper wheelchair maneuvering. A wide variety of products are available to help make these facilities handicap-accessible, making the end result functional as well as stylish. In this article, we will offer up a few tips and tricks to help you through the design process.

Step 1 - Write out a list of wants and needs. Take a look through magazines and tear out pictures that you enjoy to help you determine what to include in your facility. A trip to your local grocery store or pharmacy magazine aisle should provide you with an assortment of material to go through. Pick out items that you are interested in using in your bathroom and print out pictures of said items along with their product information sheets.

Step 2 - Purchase and create a binder to organize your pictures and ideas. Tabs can be used to separate various aspects of the project, such as vanity, flooring, shower, toilet and accessories. Add product information and pictures to your collection. This will help you keep a fresh perspective throughout the project without having to rummage through various magazines and ads looking for "that one thing" you really enjoyed. As with any design project, organization is key to success.

Step 3 - On a piece of graph paper, sketch out a bathroom floor plan. Specify the toilet, shower, vanity and sink placements. Set aside a minimum clear floor space of 48 x 30 inches for wheelchair accommodation. Wheelchairs will require a space measuring at least 60 inches in diameter to allow for a full 360-degree turn. Provide enough clear space to allow the wheelchair to maneuver freely throughout the area.

Step 4 - Your door space should be at least 32 - 36 inches wide. You may consider choosing a pocket door to allow for extra bathroom space. This will ensure that the wheelchair will be able to move through the doorway, while also providing the user with enough space to move freely.

Step 5 - You'll need to design a sink with enough space to allow a wheelchair to roll underneath it freely. Leave a space measuring between 30 and 34 inches underneath the sink to ensure that the occupant is able to reach the sink while still in their chair.

Step 6 - Add a number of bars throughout the bathroom to help the occupant maneuver around. You'll want to add a couple bars by the sink, toilet and inside the shower/bath area. Additionally, you'll want to add towel bars at a level that are reachable while in a sitting position.

Step 7 - Consider a walk-in shower or tub. This will allow the occupant to access the bathing area much easier than with a traditional tub. You may also consider adding a shower seat within the shower area.

Step 8 - Tilt the mirrors so that they can be seen while in a sitting position.