A couple of practical bathroom ideas for comfort

That's really useful PigeonFancier, thank you.

You can use the thumbs up emoji.

The house I’ve not lon moved to has an ensuite which has all your good suggestions except the grab rails I also bought a Perspex seat that I can use if I want to sit but I’ve only used it a couple of times.

petra

You can use the thumbs up emoji.

But that still leads to the repetition of posts. A "like" button gives an idea of numbers and could encourage those who don't want to post to at least flagged up what the like.

However, it has been asked for, as i understand it, many times over many years. It doesn't look as if it's going to happen.

Welcome to Gransnet PidgeonFancier1956 wishing you a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Nothing we ever ask for comes to fruition. I have no idea why we are asked and I have been here for many years.

We have just moved into a house with the bathroom from hell.

The bathroom suite is high Victorian in style, I call it 'tarts boudoir'. The wash basin and loo are full of ridges and fiddly bits that are never clean. I clean it, wash my hands and all the ridges are covered in soap.

The bath however has to stand on a plinth in order to get a flow for the drains. The plinth is large and the bath is, unnecessarily, placed right on the edge of the pinth, at the spot where you are going to have most difficulty putting your foot on the plinth when you clamber out over the very high sides of the bath.

When we moved in we thought the bathroom was one of the better rooms in the house and we planned to leave it as it is for a year or so. In the three months since then we have gone from deciding to relocate the existing bath to the back of the plinth, toreplacing the bath, to replacing the whole bathroom suite, as the full horrors of the existing suite make themselves plain.

This is now happening in the new year, and that will include replacing the current very low wattage lighting. I may well add grip bars to the list

If you're replacing your loo then I recommend considering having a "higher" one. We have these and think they are great. It does depend on your height, so you'd need to try one out! Also grab rails in the shower and by loo. (Much appreciated by all users in our home!)

I recently installed a grab rail in my walk in shower and I feel much safer. I bought it from an online care equipment company. Very easy to fit in seconds. It’s a suction clamp type. It feels rock solid on the wet wall panelling since I fitted it a month ago. Very reasonably priced at £19 for a twin pack.

I’m not affiliated in any way with the company and happy to post the link if anyone wants to check them out.

I installed a grab rail in my shower cubicle ages ago and it gives me confidence which makes me feel safer.
Thanks for some helpful ideas, Pigeon Fancier. And welcome to GN.
We talked about like buttons several times and lots of us don't want one really.

Thanks PF. Do you find your "runway" lights sufficient?

Hi pigeonfancier1956 We hadn't bothered much with our (small!) bathroom much until my husband developed cancer and became quite unsteady. We worked out the best places for grab handles, and a new way of using a mirror to help him shave. Occupational Therapy gave him a seat that he could use in the bath for showering or bathing. There are so many things you can do if you take some time to work out exactly what you need.

That's a really nice and practical bathroom!

We re-did our bathroom quite a few years ago, but not really with aging in mind. We still have a bath/shower combo which means stepping over into the shower. We're not at the point yet to need it revamped, but the time may come.

What I really appreciate in ours (and yours) is the good lighting, with lights above the tub, and both wall and ceiling lights above the vanity. All are on separate switches, and dimmable. I do love your lit mirror though, it's a great idea!

Another thing I really appreciate in ours is the heated towel rack. Now I feel quite entitled and miss it when I am away!

'Comfort' height toilets are really great. Had one when I had my ensuite re-done a couple of years ago, and it has made such a difference. Had my bathroom re-done a few years earlier and re-used the existing loo - now find that one so very low.

Non-slip flooring is essential and also think about the door to any bathroom area. My ensuite had a door, opening into that room. If I had a fall anywhere in there I would have blocked that door from opening. This concerned me, so when I had it re-done had that door replaced with a bi-fold one. I try not to fall, but at least now I know that rescuers can get to me easily.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202512/medium-3zvrdy-1000010368.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202512/medium-3za18t-1000010369.jpg

We had to change to a wetroom when DH came home after his stroke. He can brush his teeth over the basin, pull his shower chair around into the shower area, switch it on, wash himself with the push button dispensers on the wall and switch on the dryer to help dry himself, a bit of independence when you only have a working left side. And the smart loo means he can get clean underneath too!

I don't know if you are talking about a Perspex seat like this in the picture. They do look very smart and unobtrusive.

One small thing I’d gently flag, from experience: the edges can be harder than they look. If you ever have young grandchildren visiting, it’s worth being mindful of bumped shins or knees, as Perspex doesn’t have much give.

Also, as we get older, I’ve noticed some people find this style a bit less forgiving for the lower back, particularly if you’re sitting for longer than expected.

Oh M0nica, I really understand this.

Earlier in my career, I had quite a few clients who were very keen on that high Victorian, decorative style. Visually it can be stunning, but in practice it often ages badly, especially in a bathroom where water, soap and daily use expose every little flaw.

Those raised plinths around baths are a particular headache. They may have been designed with drainage in mind, but they create exactly the sort of awkward step and overreach you’re describing. From a safety point of view, they’re one of the first things I start questioning as people get older.

Davida1968

If you're replacing your loo then I recommend considering having a "higher" one. We have these and think they are great. It does depend on your height, so you'd need to try one out! Also grab rails in the shower and by loo. (Much appreciated by all users in our home!)

Thank you, that’s a really good point.

As I’ve got older, I’ve found getting up from very low loos can leave my legs feeling quite numb at times, which isn’t pleasant at all.

I’ve added grab rails as well, partly for steadiness and partly just for peace of mind. It only takes one dizzy moment to remind you why these small changes matter.

CocoPops

Thanks PF. Do you find your "runway" lights sufficient?

I do, yes — provided they’re done properly.🤔

From a design point of view, I usually find lights work best at around 200–300 lumens each, spaced evenly rather than too far apart. A warm neutral tone (around 3000K) gives enough contrast at night without feeling harsh or clinical.

The key is avoiding deep shadows.

A very helpful thread PF. We have a few of the things mentioned and the ability to do more when the time comes. Actually we should do them before the time comes! Thankyou and welcome to GN!

Thank you for this useful thread. I put in a new bathroom when I moved to my retirement flat. The one thing I wouldn't do again is have glass shower doors on runners. The shower is in a corner an has a rounded front - which is aesthetically pleasing ... but requires hard to clean runners. If I was doing it now it would be squared off with a door.

I'm another one who likes "comfort height" loos. I don't think I'd like the perspex seat but not there yet! However grab rails are beginning to look likely in the next couple of years!

I have a floor to ceiling ladder type silver coloured radiator, which also acts as a grab rail when getting out of the shower. I make sure there is a towel placed strategically so I don't burn my delicate hands. I also have a comfort height loo, and it is fabulous. I gave thought to the lighting because bulbs had to be replaced easily, although mine have a 10 year life span.

I bought an adjustable height stool, which is easily washed, and post-surgery has been a boon.

I had bi=fold doors, which I changed to sliding, but I now have to exit sideways, which I don't like.

The floor and walls are tiled, and my bathroom would help to sell my house.

Ah. You have reminded me Charleygirl5 (how quickly we forget the positives) I don't have tiles. The bathroom was a bit public lavatory style when I bought the flat, every surface tiled up to the ceiling! I have aqua-boarding so no pesky grout to clean.