ADA Bathroom Design Ideas

Featured Image: Reside Beige USA 24 x 48 Porcelain Tile Bathroom Floor & Mont Blanc Quartzite Countertop from Arizona Tile

When it comes to designing a space, there is careful consideration that needs to be taken to ensure adequate access for individuals with disabilities, especially in commercial spaces. In a commercial setting, certain set codes and guidelines need to be met in a different capacity than in a private residence. However, these guidelines can extend to a residential home as well and can be achieved with proper planning.

The ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, protects our peers with disabilities from discrimination. There are federal laws and regulations to be upheld for the continuation of their everyday activities.

What is the Americans With Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed on July 26^th,1990 by President George H. W. Bush in a strong effort to dissolve the struggles for those who are limited by disability. Relating this triumphant date to the Independence Day that was celebrated a few weeks prior, President Bush stated that this day, July 26, 1990, was indeed another Independence Day, and one that was long overdue. He says, “With today’s signing of the landmark Americans for Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through closed doors…”

The ADA states that it “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.”

Some examples of commercial settings that require ADA guideline adherence are restaurants, hotels, retail stores, doctor’s offices and hospitals, daycare centers, and gyms. In these places, it is essential to follow the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. When you are designing elements in a commercial setting, care needs to be taken to ensure fair entry for those with disabilities, especially for those with mobility issues who may be using a wheelchair, walker, or cane. There would be a large emphasis needed within a bathroom and shower room for proper space and accessory placement, like handrails, lower hand-drying stations, and slip-resistant floors to adhere to ADA regulations.

Image: Vetri Bianco 4 x 12 Porcelain Shower Wall Tile, Mont Blanc Quartzite Countertop, Reside Beige USA 24 x 48 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

For instance, in a water closet, there needs to be a 60” minimum that is measured perpendicularly from the side wall and a 56” minimum measured perpendicularly from the rear wall. This can certainly pertain to a residential design, too. If you or a family member struggle with mobility issues, knowing the ADA design guidelines will be beneficial to enhance safety and maneuverability within essential rooms of the home, like the kitchen and bathroom. For more information on ADA design standards, click here.

How Arizona Tile Can Help

At Arizona Tile, we recommend anyone needing to adhere to strict ADA guidelines should consult with an expert in this area.  With that information available, we can assist with choosing the products for the project. While we cannot design a full interior for you, we can offer great tile suggestions that would benefit those with disabilities. An ADA bathroom design idea would benefit from the use of R11 Anti-Alip flooring. This flooring is uniquely crafted to help limit falls due to slick surfaces, like in outdoor settings or in a bathroom in a home or business. While R11 Anti-Slip tile is designed for a specific purpose, it does not lack aesthetic appeal. Reside USA offers the R11 Anti-Slip option in four neutral colors that pair well in many settings.

Image: Unica Stone 24 x 48 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile, Unica Carbon 24 x 48 Large Format Shower Wall and Shower Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Large format tile makes use as an exceptional ADA bathroom design feature, especially in a shower. A wheelchair-accessible shower with no threshold and a wide door opening or no door at all, is an ideal design feature. Given the accessibility factors, this shower will be larger than a standard shower so therefore may be best suited with large format tile that is available in our R11 Anti-Slip Finish. Using this size tile will cover more surface area, which will lower maintenance responsibilities and reduce labor costs because of less grout work.

Anthea, Konkrete and Pietra Italia are all large-format tile porcelain available in our R11 Anti-Slip Finish that would look great in an ADA home bathroom design. These are also available in a mosaic 2 x 2. This is another great design option, for if any particular tile was suitable for a shower floor, mosaic tile would be it because 1) it conforms to the grade of the shower floor, and 2) the extra grout lines provide texture to lower the chances of slips and falls.

Beautiful Accents

Even though you may design with function in mind, accent, or focal, tile should never be overlooked. Some tile to consider in your handicap-accessible bathroom remodel are: Geo 2—a glass tile that features innovative, geometric patterns; and 3D—ceramic, white wall tile available in four multi-dimensional styles.

Image: 3D White Wave Matte Ceramic Shower Wall Tile, Terrazzo Black 4 Inch Hex Mesh Porcelain Shower Floor Tile & Montenegro Quartz Shower Seat from Arizona Tile

Design and Adherence

Following ADA guidelines creates another layer of consideration that may need to be added to your plans, whether for a commercial or residential project. Having the information and understanding of the requirement is half the battle; but, once you have it, the fun part of planning can begin.

Try the Just Imagine – Tile Visualizer when you have narrowed down your material selection because this can allow you to see the products in multiple environments. Or visit an Arizona Tile store or slab yard to see your favorite tile or slab designs in person. If you have any product questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful and knowledgeable staff.