7 Tips for a Safe and Stunning Bathroom
Oct 27, 2021Have you ever thought about which room in your home is the most dangerous? While you might think it’s the kitchen with its sharp knives and food bacteria, it’s actually your bathroom. In fact, according to the CDC, around 234,000 people visit the ER each year with bathroom-related injuries.
Whether you’re planning a full-scale bathroom renovation in the near future, or you just want to do some light remodeling, it’s the perfect opportunity to make your bathroom safer in the process. However, there’s a misconception that a safe bathroom can’t also be beautiful.
We’re here to prove that wrong. Read through this guide to learn tips on how to make your bathroom safer for the whole family, without having to sacrifice aesthetics.
1. Help Eliminate Slips and Falls
One of the biggest culprits of bathroom accidents is slippery surfaces. If you’re not careful, you can slip and fall stepping out onto wet tiles or linoleum, or on slippery flooring in your bathtub or shower area.
You can help prevent these accidents by installing slip-resistant flooring throughout your bathroom and inside your bathing area. This flooring option is specifically designed to wick away and absorb excess moisture, making it easy to maneuver while you’re getting ready.
If you don’t want the entire bathroom floor to be slip-resistant, then you can put down slip-resistant floor mats outside the tub or shower area instead. They come in a variety of styles and colors, so you’re sure to find something that complements your bathroom design.
2. Add Support Features to the Space
If you’re experiencing mobility issues, something as simple as climbing in or out of the bathtub can be difficult. Consider adding support features like grab bars to your bathing area and near your toilet to make it easier to get around in the space.
These are available in different finishes and can be integrated into your design, so they don’t stand out.
Another option is to add a seat to your shower. Here at Bathroom Buddy, we offer add-on shower seats, that you can add to an existing space. Or, if you’re interested in doing a bigger bathroom renovation project, we have built-in shower seating options to help make bathing easier and safer.
3. Make Your Bathing Area Easier to Access
As you get older, your needs may start to change, and your home may need to change with them. For example, while climbing into a bathtub or shower may have been something you never used to think about in the past, it could become a struggle with more limited mobility.
In that case, consider adding a beautiful walk-in shower to your home. Our Bathroom Buddy team proudly offers Jacuzzi walk-in showers that are stunning, yet functional. Instead of a lipped threshold like a traditional shower entrance, these walk-in showers offer flat, barrier-free access.
This makes it easier for you to stay in your home as your mobility changes, even accommodating wheelchairs if needed. Plus, our bathrooms for seniors can help modernize your bathroom, giving it a fresh, new look you’ll enjoy for years. Best of all, we offer 1-day shower remodel options, so you won’t have to take on a long, arduous project to get the bathroom of your dreams.
4. Adjust Your Toilet Height
Many people tend to overlook their toilets when planning a bathroom remodel, but the truth is that a simple upgrade can help you feel safer in the space. Consider installing a comfort toilet that stands a few inches higher than a traditional toilet.
These are more comfortable for people suffering from back or knee pain. And, the adjusted height can make it easier to sit and stand for those struggling to use a traditional toilet.
Best of all, they look great, so you won’t have to worry about your toilet taking away from your bathroom design.
5. Upgrade Your Lighting
Some bathroom accidents happen because the space is simply too dark. This is especially true for interior bathrooms with no windows. Upgrade your bathroom with mounted wall lights, so there are no dark areas where you may be more prone to tripping or slipping.
For nighttime use, consider installing a small motion-activated light for additional brightness in the bathroom, perhaps near the toilet. Or, if you’re doing a full-scale renovation, you might install a skylight in the ceiling, to help bring in natural light during the day.
6. Don’t Forget About the Sink
Another often overlooked area of a bathroom renovation is the sink. If you’re planning to age in place in your home, you might want to replace your bathroom vanity with a wall-mounted sink instead, which is easier to use with a walker or wheelchair.
Then, consider your faucet. If you have one with knobs you have to twist to turn on and off, that may be difficult to use as you get older. Instead, install a lever-handle faucet that’s easy to turn on and off without much effort.
7. Keep Dangerous Products Locked Away
Finally, if you have small children, make sure that they can’t access dangerous products that may be in the bathroom. If you have cleaning supplies, for example, keep them stored in a child-proof cabinet or in a place that’s inaccessible to your children.
The same should be done for medicine cabinets, to help ensure your kids don’t get their hands on something that could harm them. And, for your own safety, make sure to properly dispose of expired medications so you don’t accidentally take them when you get sick.
Trust Our Team With Your Bathroom Renovation
After learning more about how to turn your bathroom into a beautiful, yet safe space, it’s time to take some action! Let the Bathroom Buddy team help you transform your space, based on your specific needs. Whether that’s replacing your old tub with a new walk-in shower, doing a full bathroom remodel, or anything in between, we’re up for the job.
Contact us today to tell us more about your needs and to get a free quote for your project.