5 ADA Bathroom Remodel Ideas That Make Your Bathroom More Accessible

It is important for people to rethink how their bathrooms are set up as they get older and stay in their homes longer. That’s because many things in a bathroom, like wet shower tiles and low toilets, can be dangerous for older people. This is even more applicable for disabled people or older adults who can not get around without a wheelchair.

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Thankfully, there is an act called Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that focuses on making life easier for such people. In terms of bathrooms, there are ADA bathroom remodel ideas that aim to make bathrooms more accessible. 

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In this article, we will discuss five such ideas. We will also give you a rough idea of how much you might need to spend to design a bathroom according to ADA standards. Continue to read till the end to get a complete picture of how an ADA bathroom should be.

What’s an ADA Bathroom?

An ADA bathroom is a restroom built to meet the requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These bathrooms are designed in a manner that people with disabilities can use them equally and without any problems. This way, they can go to the bathroom on their own and feel safe. 

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The ADA rules cover many things, such as the size of the stalls, the placement of grab bars, and the ease of access to the sinks. We will discuss this further in the following section.

5 ADA Bathroom Remodel Ideas

When renovating a bathroom to meet ADA standards, there are plenty of design opportunities as well as obstacles. With some clear ideas, it will be a lot easier to do the remodeling. So, here are 5 top considerations to make ADA-compliant accessible bathroom:

1. Generous Dimensions and Smart Fixture Placement

When designing an ADA bathroom, the size of the bathroom door should be the primary concern. As per ADA regulations, the standard for a wheelchair-accessible room is at least 42-inch door width. Besides, all wheelchairs must have a 5-foot turning radius. The sink must be located outside of this 60-inch space. 

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It is also important to think about where the toilet, shower, tub, and sink are placed in the bathroom so that a person in a wheelchair can easily get around. Any reachable accessories should be kept no lower than 48 inches from the finished floor. All handles and operable objects must be able to be used with a single hand while applying pressure of less than five pounds.

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Regarding the toilet, an ADA-accessible toilet must be at least 60 inches wide with its flush lever located on the open side. The center of the toilet must have space between 16 and 18 inches from the side wall. Besides, the toilet seat must be at least 17 to 19 inches above the floor. The recommended placement for toilet paper is 24 to 42 inches from the rear wall, with a minimum of 18 inches above the finished floor. 

2. Curbless Shower Stall and Handicap Shower Bench

The ADA prioritizes ensuring that any design flaws do not make it difficult to use or necessitate outside assistance. A barrier-free shower stall with a beveled curb that is no more than half an inch higher than the bathroom floor is required for an ADA-compliant shower. Alternately, the bathroom floor should meet the curb. 

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An in-shower bench or shower seat is another simple solution for an ADA-friendly bathroom. A bench gives people a safe place to clean up and can be used as a place to rest if they get dizzy or lost while showering.

3. Hand-held Shower Head and Stability Grab Bar

The primary goal of an ADA-compliant restroom is to enhance accessibility. One way to improve this accessibility is by incorporating a hand-held shower head that has a slider bar in the bathroom design. This lets people with disabilities stay independent while showering. Plus, adding a pressure-balanced and thermostat-controlled valve keeps people from accidentally getting burned. 

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Another way to make it easier for people with mobility issues to get in and out of the shower is to install a grab bar on the shower wall. Grip bars must be 36 inches at the rear wall and 42 inches on any side wall to meet ADA standards. In addition, they need a half-inch of space on all sides. They should also be positioned close to the hand dryer and toilet paper for easy access. Since we are talking about accessible shower and bathroom, the grab bars need to be waterproof, too. 

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However, it’s not necessary to give up on style while installing grab bars. It’s easy to pick a grab bar that matches the color scheme of the rest of the bathroom.

5. Adding Clearance Beneath the Sink

Since everyone needs water, the sink is an essential component of any bathroom. To be in compliance with ADA standards, a sink must be mounted at a height of 34 inches or higher. There ought to be a knee clearance of 27 by 30 inches broad and 11 to 25 inches deep to provide sufficient space for a wheelchair user. 

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It’s vital to keep in mind that a disabled person may experience amputation of an upper limb. Hence, it is also important to remember to dangle the bathroom mirror low enough for someone with such a disability to see themselves. Besides, it is ideal to install faucets on the side of the sink during an accessible bathroom remodel so that a seated person can more easily reach them. 

6. Slip Resistant Tile Flooring

The floor of a bathroom that follows ADA standards has to be slip-resistant to boost accessibility. This can be achieved in various ways.

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For example, when the floor is damp, choosing textured flooring for the bathroom can help avoid potentially hazardous trips, slips, and falls. A little texture can give just the right amount of friction to avoid such danger. This can be in the form of tiny tiles or bigger tiles with plenty of grout in between. 

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Mosaic tiles can add that textured feel. It is easy to grip and beautiful to look at. Besides, it also offers endless design options that can complement any aesthetic. 

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Budgeting for an ADA Bathroom

The remodeling options that we just discussed are not cheap. So, it might get pricey to make a bathroom ADA-compliant. However, remember that making these changes will result in a safer and more pleasant bathroom.

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A full redesign to make a bathroom ADA-compliant could cost more than $25,000. This involves installing the above-mentioned features to ensure that everything is easily accessible. The expense will increase if the relocation of pipes is required. 

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Some ballpark estimates for the price are as follows: 

• Grab Bars and Safety Features: Ranging from $100 to $300 (depending on style and quantity)
• Accessible Toilet: $200 to $500
• Sink and Faucets: $150 to $1,000 (style-dependent)
• Non-Slip Flooring: $500 to $2,000 (for a typical bathroom)
• Plumbing Adjustments: A few thousand dollars, should it be necessary

Conclusion

A bathroom that meets ADA compliance ensures accessibility and safety for people with disabilities. However, there are key considerations that must be followed to reach that standard. This includes generous dimensions, smart fixture placement, curbless shower stalls, and stable grab bars. 

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On top of that, sinks in an ADA-compliant bathroom must have adequate clearance. Besides, faucets should be accessible from a seated position. Another important feature is slip-resistant flooring to prevent falls. These features make the bathroom safe and useful for everyone by letting them use it on their own and without help.

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Wondering about getting a bathroom that carries all these features? TEK Construction Group can help you achieve this. We pay close attention to every detail in your bathroom. If you are thinking about remodeling your bathroom, get in contact with us to learn more about what we can do!

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