bath
Swap a bath for a shower Trade in your bath or, if you have the space, upgrade your shower for a large walk-in version with a low-profile or flush-to-floor tray, which will offer easy, step-free access. ‘Walk-in showers with seats look stunning and are easy to use,’ says Julia Bunbury. If you are not a fan of plastic fold-down seats, consider a wide tiled ledge that blends in with the wall tiling.
Choose an easy-access bathGo for a bath that all members of your family can comfortably use. A wide ledge becomes somewhere to sit and swing your legs into the bath – much easier that stepping in – plus it can double up as seating for parents when supervising young children. If you need additional support, add hand grips to your bath and even a neck support for extra comfort. A bath rack can be useful, too, keeping shampoos, body lotions and all other bathing paraphernalia within easy reach. A portable bath seat is another idea; if you might need one, consider its stowed dimensions and see whether you can have a storage niche built in for when it’s not in use.
Opt for easy-to-clean materialsIf you are as busy as your bathroom, you won’t want to spend lots of time cleaning. ‘Upgrade to the best shower enclosure your budget will stretch to, preferably with a factory-applied glass protection coating, which helps to reduce staining from hard water deposits,’ advises Lisa. ‘Also, choose high-quality taps and showers with a good guarantee.’If possible, use an epoxy grout for all tiled areas, as it doesn’t crack or discolour over time. Consider a wall-hung toilet and basin, which not only keep the floor clear – making it easier to clean – but can be positioned at a height to suit individuals, making them ideal for elderly people, families with young children or wheelchair users.
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