Designing an Accessible Bathroom Around the Person Using It

When designing an accessible bathroom, one of the most important things to remember is that there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

Every person has different mobility needs, different equipment, different routines, and different levels of assistance. A bathroom that works perfectly for one person may not work well at all for someone else.

We’re currently working on an accessible bathroom project, and it’s a great reminder of just how many small details need to be considered during the design process.

The goal isn’t simply to “check the accessibility boxes.” The goal is to create a bathroom that feels comfortable, safe, functional, and easy for that specific person to use every day.

Start With the Person, Not the Floor Plan

Before deciding where the toilet, vanity, or shower should go, start by thinking about the person who will actually be using the bathroom.

Do they use a wheelchair, walker, or another mobility device?

Can they transfer independently, or do they need help from a caregiver?

Will they be using the bathroom from a seated position?

Are there certain movements that are difficult for them?

Do they need extra medical or personal-care equipment nearby?

All of these things can affect the layout.

This is why we always recommend designing around someone’s actual needs instead of simply copying a standard accessible bathroom layout.

Make Sure There Is Enough Room to Move

One of the biggest priorities is creating an accessible route throughout the bathroom.

The doorway needs to be wide enough to accommodate the person’s wheelchair, walker, or other mobility device, but the space inside the bathroom is just as important.

You want enough clear floor space to comfortably maneuver between the toilet, vanity, and shower.

A 60-inch turning space is a common accessibility guideline and can provide room for a wheelchair to turn within the bathroom. Depending on the person’s mobility equipment and needs, you may need even more room.

It is also important to think about how doors swing into the room. A door that opens into an already tight bathroom can take away valuable maneuvering space.

Sometimes changing the door swing or using a pocket door can make the bathroom much easier to navigate.

Give Extra Thought to the Toilet Area

The toilet is another area where accessibility needs can vary quite a bit from person to person.

Seat height is important. A toilet that is too low may be difficult for someone to transfer onto or stand up from, while someone else may need a specific height based on their wheelchair or mobility needs.

You also want enough clear space around the toilet for transfers.

For some people, that may mean open space beside the toilet so they can transfer from a wheelchair. For others, additional room may be necessary so a caregiver can assist.

And don’t forget the smaller details.

Toilet paper holders, grab bars, controls, and anything else the person regularly uses should all be placed within easy reach.

Consider a Curbless Shower

A curbless shower is one of the most helpful features you can include in many accessible bathroom designs.

Instead of having a raised shower curb that someone has to step over, the bathroom floor transitions directly into the shower.

This can make the shower much easier to access with a wheelchair, walker, or shower chair.

Inside the shower, consider including a built-in bench or appropriate shower seating.

A handheld showerhead is also extremely helpful because it allows someone to shower while seated.

The shower controls should be positioned where the person can comfortably reach them without having to stand, stretch, or lean across the shower.

And when possible, think about the location of the controls before construction begins. Sometimes placing them closer to the shower entrance can allow someone to turn the water on and adjust the temperature before fully entering the shower.

Plan for Grab Bars Before the Walls Are Closed

Grab bars are another important feature, particularly around the shower and toilet.

But grab bars aren’t something you want to think about at the very end of the remodel.

Their locations should be planned before the walls are closed up.

Proper reinforcement can be installed behind the walls so the grab bars are securely attached and able to provide the support they are designed for.

This is also another area where designing for the specific person is important.

Think about where they naturally reach for support, how they transfer, and whether horizontal, vertical, or angled grab bars will be the most useful for them.

Think About Seated Access at the Vanity

A traditional bathroom vanity usually has cabinetry directly underneath the sink.

For someone using a wheelchair, that may not work.

A roll-under or wheelchair-accessible vanity leaves open space underneath the sink so the person can comfortably pull up to it.

You will want to consider knee clearance, sink depth, and faucet placement.

Lever-style faucets or touch-activated faucets can also be easier to operate for someone with limited strength or mobility.

Mirrors and lighting should also be designed for seated use.

A beautiful mirror isn’t very useful if the person using the bathroom can only see the top of their head in it.

Lowering the mirror, using a taller mirror, or slightly angling it can make it much more functional.

Lighting around the vanity should also be positioned so that it works well for both seated and standing users whenever possible.

Don’t Forget About Storage

Storage is one of the details that can easily get overlooked in an accessible bathroom.

When you create a roll-under vanity, you lose much of the cabinet storage that would normally sit underneath the sink.

That means you need to find another place for everyday bathroom supplies.

Whenever the space allows, we love incorporating a linen closet or separate storage cabinet into the bathroom.

And remember that the person using the bathroom may need more storage than the average homeowner.

There may be medical supplies, personal-care products, mobility equipment, extra towels, transfer equipment, or other items that need to be stored nearby.

The location of that storage is important, too.

Items that are used every day should be placed where they can easily be reached from a seated position.

You don’t want all of the accessible storage located on a high shelf that the person using the bathroom can’t reach.

Think About Flooring and Safety

Bathrooms are naturally wet spaces, so flooring is especially important.

Choose flooring that provides good traction and is appropriate for wet areas.

Large transitions between flooring materials should generally be avoided whenever possible, especially if someone is using a wheelchair or walker.

Good lighting is also important.

Make sure the room is evenly lit and easy to navigate, especially at night.

Night-lights, illuminated switches, or motion-activated lighting can also be helpful depending on the person’s needs.

Consider Whether a Caregiver Needs Room

Not every person using an accessible bathroom will need assistance, but if they do, that needs to be considered during the planning stage.

A bathroom can technically have enough room for a wheelchair but still feel extremely cramped once a caregiver is standing beside the person.

Extra space around the toilet, shower, and vanity can make daily routines much easier and safer for everyone.

This is especially important when someone needs assistance transferring into the shower, onto the toilet, or getting ready at the vanity.

Accessibility Can Still Be Beautiful

An accessible bathroom doesn’t have to look institutional.

You can still choose beautiful tile, cabinetry, hardware, lighting, mirrors, countertops, and finishes.

Grab bars now come in a wide variety of finishes and styles that can coordinate with the rest of the plumbing fixtures.

A curbless shower can actually create a very clean and modern look.

And thoughtful cabinetry can provide accessible storage while still feeling completely custom to the home.

Good accessible design should feel intentional—not like accessibility features were added as an afterthought.

Design for the Individual

At the end of the day, the best accessible bathroom is one that is designed around the person who will actually be using it.

Consider their mobility equipment, daily routine, physical abilities, storage needs, and whether they need help from a caregiver.

Those details should guide the layout from the very beginning.

At Morgan Remodel, our goal is to create spaces that are beautiful, but more importantly, functional and thoughtfully designed around the people living in them.

Because when accessibility is planned correctly from the start, the bathroom doesn’t just meet a list of requirements—it makes everyday life easier.