The last visit I made do by using a small two step stool (meant for children to use to be able to access the sink) to get in and out of the tub and used the back of a chair to hang onto while I did so. But honestly, the lack of grab bars, and the problem of being able to climb in and out of tubs (I have two artificial knees) is a real problem that has kept me from booking a number of Airbnbs I think I would have enjoyed staying at.
@Keugenia: we aren’t installing a tub, just a walk-in shower. There won’t even be a lip to trip over.
Similar to the timer switch I use a moisture sensor switch for the bathroom fan. You can always turn it on or off by hand but generally it comes on when it senses moisture (like from a shower) or if you set it extremely sensitive, even just summer humidity. You can adjust the sensor sensitivity and you can adjust the length of time it stays on after the moisture is no longer being sensed, as well as how long you’d like it to go off automatically when you engage it manually.
Be sure to let a guest know how it works if you are in a shared house. I had a guest who didn’t lock the bathroom door when he showered and when it went on automatically he thought I had actually opened the door and turned it on while he was in there! He only confided this to me several days later when he and I had become much more acquainted and he was comfortable I would be ok with it.
Consider whether a grab bar makes sense near the toilet (to help someone left themselves up) as well as the traditional ones in the bath/tub areas.
There are surfaces you can buy for the shower that are not tiles and so VERY easy to clean, thought as stylish.
If you have hydronic heating, heated towel bars are a no brainer. If not, you’ll need to evaluate cost/benefit tradeoffs. Heated floors are nice, though expensive both to install and operate unless you already have hydronic heating.
Wide doors for handicap accessibility if affordable.
If you get a hand held device/sprays for shower, consider additional plumbing to each such device so that water pressure is not lost when the handheld device/spray is used. Of course, cost/benefits on this and all throughout this post. This can be expensive.
Recessed mirrored cabinets look great; ideally two sinks.
Consider instant hot water dispenser so someone can make quick cup of tea. [Useful life of about five years.]. I assume you’ll have water shutoffs for all spigots.
Wall-mounted toilets save room.
If there is a ‘pony’ wall, consider making niche within.
If you have chlorinated water or chloramine in water, now is the time to consider whether you want a filter in shower/bath to get that out. Since you’re starting from scratch you’ll have options.
1 Like
This topic is almost 3 years old and some members are no longer hosts/active on the forum.