Make a Powder Room Accessible With Universal Design

Including a powder room on the primary level of your house ensures that anyone, regardless of age and mobility, has access to a sink and bathroom without needing to climb stairs. At a two-story home, a powder room or a complete bathroom on the main level can be important if someone sustains a serious accident or a progressive disease takes its toll. It ensures everyday grooming tasks, some of which we might take for granted, can continue without interruption and embarrassment.

A closet-size powder room carved out from under the stairs might perform in a pinch, but one which size is generally too small to accommodate those with mobility apparatus. In case you’ve got the choice of including on or remodeling, then consider making the powder room at least 60 inches wide and 60 inches deep, with a bathroom and sink counter tops from each other. This permits the minimum code 30-inch area for the bathroom and a 30-inch area on one side of the bathroom for those needing transport help. As necessary, these tips will probably need adjustment depending on the user. Should you have the space and the budget, then a complete size bathroom on the main level is the thing to do. This provides the flexibility from the off chance that you or a loved one does sustain a major injury, and can no more get to a different level.

Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

Accessing the powder room is the very first hurdle. Aim for doors which are minimal of 34 to 36 inches wide to ease mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers. Pocket doors operate well, because they do not occupy any room in the powder room or in the hallway, allowing for maximum floor area for simple navigating.

When there isn’t any room to expand the doorway opening, and a swing door is the only choice, consider installing swing-away hinges to make the most of opening and getting the door open in the bathroom. These attributes can allow for the necessary room for someone to turn around without needing to close the door.

Galaxy Sales, Inc. (Manufacturers Representative)

Weslock Door Hardware

For conventional swing doors, opt for lever handles. People with arthritic hands or limited dexterity can operate lever handles a great deal more easily than round hinges or latch-type handles, which need more stress to grasp and turn.

Stratton Design Group

Based on the kind, vanities can provide much-needed storage in a small room. Wall-mounted vanities, depending on the elevation of the cupboard, provide leg clearance for those in wheelchairs. Pedestal sinks also do the job nicely. This vanity with angled sides provides more floor area for individuals navigating with a wheelchair or walker, and is located far enough from the doorway to minimize obstacles.

LACAVA

ADA-Compliant Libera Vanity

Vanities which have a slanted front — like the Fairmont Design T&C ADA Wall Mount Vanity or this Lacava Libera vanity — provide higher flexibility for wheelchair users, as they allow them to get nearer to the fixtures. The cosmetic slanted cover for the plumbing means users will not get burnt by hot plumbing, and there is bonus storage area.

Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs

When space is limited or you need higher clearances, a pedestal sink might be the way to go. Pedestal sinks offer you the user, especially those in a wheelchair, a simpler approach from the front or the side. It might also allow space for someone else to stand nearby. Pedestal sinks also offer you undersink space to keep a step stool close at hand for toddlers and young kids.

W.b. contractors

A vessel sink, possibly sitting on the countertop or counter into the countertop, can provide design and accessbility choices. Leaving the space open under the counter allows for leg clearance for all those in chairs. Modifying the depth of the counter permits users in wheelchairs or tiny kids to reach the fixtures easily. Also consider the elevation of the general countertop and bowl, and adapt to match users of varying heights.

Stratton Design Group

Elect for a comfort-height bathroom, usually two inches taller than a normal bathroom, to make transferring from a wheelchair simpler. Allow enough clear floor area on one side of the bathroom for those who need a transfer or need a place to park their walker. Aim for at least a 30-inch width along with a 48-inch length on one side of the bathroom. Additionally, this allows room for an aide. And do not forget to add grab bars at the back of and on either side of the bathroom for both the consumer’s and assistant’s security.

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