Future proofing the bathroom

If you are future proofing and don't need grab rails at the moment you can always have them put in later.

I have recently refurbished my bathroom, its a very small room, 1800 x 1800, so my options were shower over the bath or shower only. As I am in my late 60's and had a knee replacement some years ago, I settled on a low profile shower tray, once the flooring was laid there is no step to get in. I don't have hand rails or a stool as yet but they will be easy to install later. If I am desperate for a soak I pop along to the nearby swimming baths where at least I know I can get out without help

I had a team of Council Contractors in, in late November,Future proofing my bathroom. I did not ask to have it done, I didn't really need it done. They installed a disabled type shower which unfortunately required a Gulper drain. It sounds like nothing I can describe. A large animal choking to death is as close as I can get. The rest of the fittings are normal. It was well done and nicely finished but a bit noisy

I thought local authorities were strapped for cash. Do you live in a council property?

nipsmum

I had a team of Council Contractors in, in late November,Future proofing my bathroom. I did not ask to have it done, I didn't really need it done. They installed a disabled type shower which unfortunately required a Gulper drain. It sounds like nothing I can describe. A large animal choking to death is as close as I can get. The rest of the fittings are normal. It was well done and nicely finished but a bit noisy

I'll be sure to avoid getting one of those, then . Thanks for the tip!

It will depend on your income Germanshepherdsmum, not whether you own your home or live in a council house. The council does this because if someone on a low income stays in there home for four years the council gain from the transaction by not having to find care home fees. All the people I have have come across who have had this done, have stayed at home for longer, sometimes much longer, than four years.

They council will also send occupational therapists to assess what can be done to keep you as independent as possible and in your own home for as long as possible. Sadly, a lot less is available now and it can be a long wait as there is a lack of OTs.

Even if your income means you pay for any alterations, etc., they will very often tell about aids you have never heard of or even thought of.

www.foundations.uk.com/how-we-help/adapt-my-home/

This page gives information about Disabled Facilities Grants and a self assessment tool to help you see if you are eligible.

But nipsmum said she didn’t ask to have the work done, nor did she need it.

And? Your post said I thought local authorities were strapped for cash. .

I explained why councils, even though they have been starved of income by a neo-capitalist government, still use the basic conservative (small 'c' as in those who conserve) principles of a stitch in time saving nine that most live by if they can afford to.

I cant possibly give you an answer to Do you live in a council property or why the work was done, seemingly against her will. I simply didn't want anyone to think they couldn't get help unless they lived in a council owned property. They can.

Of course they can. But if the work was neither requested nor needed, I suspect this is a council property.

Sadly, there is no "of course" about it. Many people don’t know what help they are entitled to.

‘Of course they can apply for a grant’, not ‘of course they know that’.

Doodledog

I am not an architect, and definitely not an artist , but this is a rough drawing. It is not to scale at all, but you can see the position of the doors and windows, as well as the plumbed in items.

How large is the wall space to the left of end of the tub?

If wide enough, perfect location for tall slim built in storage drawers and shelves. Points for designing a unit incorporating the sink for a smooth flow (in my mind the part above tub height would add height to that side of the room, a tower?) I'd guess a shop planning bathroom bits could easily accomplish.

It would be lovely knocked into one Doodledog, with full width storage built in across the old loo doorway. A bit like a shallow double door kitchen larder, lots of space for towels, loo rolls and bits and bobs, I had enough room at my last house for this and miss it so much!

Just to add some thoughts to the mix- loosing the bath could potentially affect the value of the house and put off potential buyers in the future.
We all love wet-rooms, but couples with children want to be able to bath them. Showering just doesn't work with mucky toddlers that have outgrown the baby bath but are not yet able to shower themselves.
Enamel baths are lovely, but again very cold and cost a fortune to fill and keep the water hot.
I would keep a bath (think of the lovely warm relaxing soak when your joints are stiff or aching) maybe consider a more modern acrylic one, but definitely future proof by having a handrail added. There are some that are part of the design or act as soapdish holders and such like until you need them. They're quite common now and look so much better if they're designed in with a new bathroom than when "retrofitted".
I'm also on team 'keep a separate toilet' for the convenience if you'll pardon the pun. There will be times when the stairs are tricky, maybe your feeling a bit poorly in bed and another member of the household is having a lovely, long, early morning oblute- the trek downstairs and back up again can be just too much!

There are some great washbasin units available that have quite a lot of cupboard space under them, and loads of bathroom storage furniture that you can add, especially when redesigning your room.
I've even seen bath panels that slide to reveal little shelves wide enough to take loo roll and bathroom cleaner. Cupboards above and around your loo are also possible.

More great ideas, thanks. If I keep the bath I will almost certainly go for a cast iron one. I love the way they hold the heat. Acrylic ones just aren’t the same.

I love the idea of a larder-style cupboard, and an integrated grab rail, and shelves behind a bath panel are a good ideas too.

I’ve just realised you’re going to have to keep a bath, Doodledog otherwise where will you put all the champagne on ice for the Grand Opening ceremony?

😂

Several years ago, one of my daughters had her bathroom refttied to her own design. The bath, with shower above, did not go all along one wall. The wash hand basin stool at the end of it. So, on that small end panel she had put on a couple of hinges, with door knob to pull it open, - wonderful large storage area for all her cleaning items and spare loo rolls, etc. Do often wonder why that space under the bath is not used by ore manufacturers for storage.

When we had our bathroom re-fitted, 8/9 years ago, we found a bath panel, in two pieces, that slides and so there is usable space underneath. Very useful.

You can get full sized baths with a door in the side enabling easy access. My mum had one

I have arranged for two different bathroom fitters to come in next week to do drawings and pictures for my en-suite, and quotes. I am asking or two different configurations, the first similar to it is now and the second = well, different!!!!
Gave my list of what I want, double shower, Large, LED, mirror to give some extra light in enclosed room, and also to have this to use at night so not need to have main lights which also put on fan. Fitted comfort loo and wash basin, (no having to mop around pedestals), pull down seat in shower, with leg, I saw some nice looking grab handles for shower which are part of shower item holders, tooth brush charger coming from mirror, discussed different types of heated towel rails, Gave them my ball park figure, which they said should be okay!!!! Be good when I go back to them to see pictures and discuss costs.

Ooh, when you get the results please share as much of that as you are comfortable with, Franbern?

Well, we have bitten the bullet and had a chap in to have a look, measure and then send us an estimate/ quote.
Came away with a couple of books to thumb through, and I have sent for a couple of Wall Panel samples, as they will be easier to put over the existing tiles.
Our little local bathroom shop was so helpful, and we did use them for supplying the previous bathroom re-fit.
As we walked in, following another customer, she started to explain what she wanted, and I just said "SNAP"
The room is very small, and so we will not be able to re-jig the design, just replace the bath with a walk in shower.
I know it won't be done for a couple? of months, but am getting excited now, even though I will not enjoy the upheaval.