Aging in place is about creating a comfortable, safe, and functional home that adapts to your evolving needs, allowing you to remain independent in your own space long-term.
At S&W Kitchens, we specialize in thoughtful, beautiful designs that ensure your home supports you through every stage of life. Our remodeling pros are Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) so you can rest easy knowing we have the training and expertise for your project.
In this post, we're highlighting a recent bathroom remodel that perfectly showcases how practical considerations can merge elegantly with contemporary aesthetics.
What Is Aging in Place Design?
Aging in place design involves thoughtful planning and strategic changes to your home’s layout and features to ensure you to remain safely and independently in your home as you age. Key aspects often include:
- Accessibility: Designs focused on ease of movement, reducing physical barriers.
- Safety: Incorporating structural grab bars, non-slip flooring, and curbless showers.
- Convenience: Customized storage and functional cabinetry tailored to specific daily routines.
- Aesthetics: Modern, inviting designs with warm and welcoming tones.
Case Study: A Contemporary Bathroom Designed for Longevity
Our clients had built their dream home three decades ago, but due to timing, they missed the window for personalized design selections. As a result, they lived with bathroom design choices they disliked for 30 years. They were more than ready for a significant upgrade!
With the goal of updating their space and staying in their home long-term, they turned to us to transform their space with aging-in-place principles at the forefront.
BEFORE PHOTO
Storage Solutions Tailored to Daily Life
This remodel emphasizes smart storage that aligns precisely with the homeowners’ everyday routines. Each individual has a personalized pull-out drawer equipped with outlets—perfect for hairdryers and shavers—keeping counters clutter-free even during rushed mornings.
A specially designed tall cabinet provides accessible towel storage, eliminating the need for distant linen closets. Below, a built-in laundry basket helps maintain an uncluttered look, ensuring the bathroom always feels calm and inviting.
Enhanced Accessibility and Safety
A significant aspect of aging-in-place design is ease of use and safe navigation particularly for bathing. To meet these needs, we replaced the original cumbersome tub—rarely used and taking up valuable space—with a zero-entry shower featuring a linear drain. The lack of a curb as well as the door size makes the shower easily accessible, even for wheelchair users.
Definition: A zero-entry shower, also known as a curbless shower, is a shower that has no raised threshold or curb at the entrance. This means the shower floor is level with the bathroom floor, creating a smooth, barrier-free transition. These showers are particularly beneficial for accessibility, as they are easier to enter for people with mobility issues, seniors, or those using wheelchairs.
The shower slide bar doubles as a sturdy grab bar, adding an extra layer of safety without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. A custom bench provides a convenient place for sitting, dressing, or transitioning to or from a wheelchair.
Another unique design feature for this couple is the bench. This bench also includes specialized drawers to discreetly store cat food containers and litter, seamlessly accommodating the homeowners' pets into the design.
Modern Aesthetics with Practicality
This remodel embraces contemporary aesthetics with warm, natural tones, creating a welcoming ambiance. The cabinetry’s clean, linear designs effortlessly combine modern style with the functionality of ample drawer space, perfect for organizing small bathroom essentials neatly and efficiently.
Designing Your Home for the Future
At S&W Kitchens, we believe your home should evolve with you. Whether you're considering subtle enhancements or significant transformations, aging-in-place designs provide peace of mind, comfort, and lasting beauty.
Ready to explore how we can make your home adaptable, safe, and beautifully functional for years to come? Contact us today to discuss your vision and schedule your personalized consultation.
Design by: Roisin Wong, S&W Kitchens Winter Park