Promoting safety and independence
From easy access to enhanced safety features, wet rooms for the disabled offer practical solutions for those with mobility challenges. At Adaptation Supplies Ltd, we can supply custom wet rooms tailored to individual needs. Whether for a private home or care facility, we provide bathroom products for both the trade and public throughout the UK.
Why convert your bathroom into a wet room?
For people with disabilities, converting a bathroom into a wet room can make daily tasks more manageable. The level floor surface eliminates the need to step into a classic shower tray. Meanwhile, waterproofed walls and floors mean that you won’t be restricted to a tight space when washing. And thanks to fewer fixtures, wet rooms are usually more spacious – perfect for users of wheelchairs or mobility aids. All in all, the barrier-free layout of a wet room makes access to facilities much more straightforward compared to traditional bathrooms.
Wheelchair-friendly wet room design ideas
Manoeuvrability
When designing wet rooms for the disabled, specifically wheelchair users, you’ll need to ensure there is plenty of room to manoeuvre. This may include widening the doorway, creating a large shower area (with or without a screen) and leaving enough space for transferring. You must also keep around 1500mm free to accommodate a turning circle and remove as many obstacles as possible. For example, unnecessary clutter, bulky furniture and any steps.
Level access
On that note, another key consideration is making sure there is level access throughout, with no raised edges that could restrict access or lead to trips. This is one of the main benefits of a wet room, since there’s no need to install a shower tray. Instead, the entire room becomes the shower area, finished with either non-slip tiles or softer cushioned vinyl flooring. All you need to do is add a slightly sloped floor former to help the water drain away more effectively.
Accessible showers
The shower itself should have buttons that area easy to press and the dials must be reachable from a seated position. Alternatively, a remote-controlled model like the SmartCare Plus Electric Shower may be prove useful. They can even be operated by carers from a distance – for example, from behind a screen to maintain your privacy.
A shower seat is another vital component. That way, wheelchair users can simply roll into the room, then transfer onto the pre-fixed seat to avoid soaking their chair. In fact, shower seats can enhance the comfort of anyone who struggles to stand for long periods. Choose from a host of designs, including minimalistic fold-down seats and fixed padded chairs with armrests.
As mentioned, you may also want to install a shower screen. Whilst these aren’t necessary in wet rooms for the disabled, they do offer more privacy and prevent excessive splashing. Our range includes both full and half-height screens, should you need the assistance of a carer. And we have many different shapes and sizes to suit any disabled wet room configuration.
Disability-friendly toilets & sinks
Moving onto toilets, raised height models (with plenty of space left around them) are crucial to ensuring smooth transfers from wheelchairs. Toilets with simple lever flushing systems are best, as they don’t require a great deal of dexterity to operate. (The same also goes for elderly bathrooms). Additionally, you’ll want to add support rails around the toilet area to aid stability.
When it comes to sinks, look for a wall-mounted model. These forego traditional full-length pedestal base and enable you to wheel in closer when washing your hands or brushing your teeth. Plus, they can be installed at whatever height works best for you. Taps should also be easy to turn on and off – ideally using a liftable lever versus a twisting mechanism.
Bathroom storage
If you’d like to add storage to your disability friendly wet room, then you’ll need to prioritise accessibility. For example, wheelchair users won’t be able to reach wall cabinets installed at the standard height. And any bulky floor-level units could limit their chair’s turning circle, so slimline options may be better. Likewise, cupboard doors that open outwards could prove problematic. Instead, doors that slide open or concertina fold to one side are ideal. Lastly, remember to store essential items close to their relevant area to limit any reaching required.
Adaptations for visual impairments
Alongside the adaptations covered above, making wet rooms for the disabled accessible to those with visual impairments involves some extra steps. Firstly, if upgrading an existing room, we’d recommend keeping the layout the same to avoid confusion. Otherwise, just make sure that it is laid out in a logical way so that it is easy to navigate. For example, the sink should be beside the toilet so the user can wash their hands without touching other surfaces in between.
The toilet should also feature a brightly coloured seat that contrasts with other elements. That way, it can be found quickly and without difficulty or second-hand assistance. Ideally, the flush control lever will also be this colour, or at least big enough to identify with ease.
Similarly, shower dials and buttons should be large and straightforward to operate. You should also opt for a thermostatically controlled shower if possible. These enable you to set the water to a comfortable temperature so that it doesn’t need adjusting each time. You can also get taps for basins that work in the same way. As well as being convenient, this feature can significantly lessen the risk of scalds for people with limited sight. And if you plan to install a towel rail or radiator, low surface temperature models will help reduce burns too.
Other elements to consider include the flooring, lighting and shower screen. The floors and walls of your wet room should be finished in contrasting matte block colours to prevent any confusion as to where one ends and the other begins. Task lighting can be used to highlight key areas of the room, while screens should have an anti-glare finish. All of these adjustments can make using a wet room simpler and more enjoyable for those visual impairments.
Stylish yet practical wet rooms for the disabled from ASL
Whatever you need for your disability wet room upgrade, look no further than Adaptation Supplies Ltd. From care showers to comfort height toilets and grab rails, we can supply everything you need to make your space more accessible. Better still, we have a number of trusted installation partners across the North West ready to fit your chosen elements.
Just give us a call on 0161 223 5050 to learn more. Or visit our Manchester showroom to view our wet rooms for the disabled solutions in person.