Universal Design Makes a Bathroom Better

The bathroom can be your in-home spa — and why not? At this age, you deserve your very own throne room. It doesn’t have to be a mega-overhaul. “Even a new shower head with a massaging wand can freshen up the bath,” Drew says. “Little things like that are very important.”

Major bath renovations are notoriously costly so “make sure you’re spending smart,” Drew says. All-in-one vanity units aren’t as expensive as custom cabinetry. If you’re swapping out older fixtures, keep the same layout to avoid major re-piping. Says Drew: “Just freshening up with a bit of paint can go a long way because it can make the bathroom feel like a brand new space.” Same goes for lighting. “You can get night-lights that are just plug and play. As soon as you walk by them, they turn on automatically. You don’t even have to think about it.”

Universal design makes the bath safe and comfortable for everyone, at any ability. Higher toilets (“comfort height” is a descriptor to look for) are easier on the knees and back. Permanent or removable seats in the shower let you sit and soak. Nonslip flooring no longer means ugly adhesive strips. Even grab bars come in attractive designs these days. Age in place — in style!