Aging in Place for Southwest Florida Homeowners: Bathroom Edition

At Green Mountain Builders, we don’t just design home builds and remodels to look nice; we also greatly consider functionality. We strive to create homes that are beautifully crafted, but more importantly, built to serve the unique needs of the homeowner. When you work with Green Mountain Builders, you work with a team of dedicated designers and craftsmen who bring your vision to life with attention to detail.

Southwest Florida is a premier destination for retirees thanks to its leisurely living, year-round sunshine, and top-rate healthcare. However, life carries on even after retiring to paradise. New challenges and changes are always on the horizon, no matter your age or ability. We understand this and are ready to serve our local homeowners to ensure they can continue getting the most out of the Southwest Florida living experience.

Aging-in-place features are designed to configure a home to help individuals remain independent. Although many of these features can help anyone of any age, whether it’s a child using crutches or a young adult recovering from surgery. Consider these remodeling projects not only to accommodate the residents and guests of your home that also to give your home greater long-term value.

The Bathroom Upgrades We Swear By

There are numerous bathroom additions and small upgrades that can make a great impact on accessibility and function. Consider the following:

1. Nonslip Floor

A simple addition that adds an extra layer of safety is the implementation of a nonslip floor. Even the most dexterous of us are not immune to a wet and slippery tile floor. While nonslip floors add great functionality and safety, they also open up new ideas for freshening up the look of your bathroom floor. Matte finishes and mosaic tiles can support a nonslip surface while looking great at the same time.

2. Curbless Shower

One of the most popular options we’ve seen is the curbless shower. By removing the threshold of entry, this greatly increases ease of access to the shower. This is a fantastic option for homeowners who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or who are otherwise affected by limited mobility.

3. Grab Bars

A grab bar is another one simple addition that can add function and style to a bathroom. Grab bars are strategically placed to work with the structure of the house. Grab bars are affixed to the structural backing of the bathroom/shower space, so it is great to plan ahead.

Even if you are remodeling a bathroom and shower without the intent of installing a grab bar, we believe it is valuable for a homeowner to plan ahead and make sure the necessary structural backing is in place in case there comes a time when grab bars are needed. Grab bars make a great addition for safety, but early installation can also allow them to seamlessly integrate into the design. They can be made in various styles and even double as wall-mounted towel holders.

4. Shower Bench

Another popular and highly impactful addition is a shower bench. The bench allows for comfortable seating, which is greatly complemented by a handheld showerhead. Benches can feature an angled design for a more ergonomic position or be built as freestanding units that can be moved around to accommodate a helper in the space, if needed.

5. Lighting

A bathroom lighting upgrade is a great and easily implemented option to improve visibility. But we don’t just mean brighter light bulbs. We consider the flow and function of the space, making sure a room can be fully illuminated with one switch. Furthermore, we can strategically install small LED light strips at the bottoms of drawers and cabinets and in the toe-kicks. We can extend this practice into hallways to reduce falls caused by a lack of visibility that can lead to lapses in balance.

6. Easy-Grip Handles

When considering the various uses and furniture applications in a bathroom, an easy-grip handle for drawers and medicine cabinets is essential. When designing for any homeowner, we take this into account and curate an elegant selection of handles and hardware for homeowners with any level of dexterity and grip strength. For some, the twisting motion of traditional faucet knobs might not be conducive to their needs, so we can install options such as no-touch faucet handles or choose levers over round, hard-to-grip knobs.

7. Built-In Vanities

A Built-in Vanity or wheelchair-accessible vanity is a bathroom counter and sink specifically designed for individuals in wheelchairs for greater access with room.

The open space allows for front wheels and the user’s legs to fit comfortably underneath the counter. To achieve this function, plumbing pipes and fixtures are strategically fitted away from the wheelchair user to avoid bumps and scrapes, while lowering the threshold of the countertop and sink bowl to relieve strain on arms and shoulders.

Ready to Improve Your Home?

Remember, there is no need to sacrifice style and comfort to make a bathroom space easier to navigate today or to prepare for what comes in the future. These simple upgrades and renovations can seamlessly blend into a beautifully designed bathroom while providing functionality and future-proofing accommodations for homeowners and their guests.

At Green Mountain Builders, we design homes built for today and tomorrow. Whether it’s a completely new home build or a single-room remodel, our team personally works with you to identify solutions that fit you and your lifestyle, complement your design preferences, and help create the home of your dreams to enjoy life in Southwest Florida.

Contact Green Mountain Builders today to start planning your next project and bring your dream home to life. Email us at info@GMBswfl.com or call 239-313-5355 to get started on your vision today.