Aging-in-place Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

Image: Cosmic Grey 24 x 48 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile & Grigio Elegante Polished Quartz Countertop

As baby boomers reach retirement and beyond, aging-in-place is becoming increasingly popular in home design. If you’re not familiar with this term, aging-in-place involves older generations seeking ways to live out their years in the comfort of their own homes.

A critical component of this design focus is aging-in-place bathroom design, as bathrooms are one of the spaces that often need to be tailored to support independence and well-being. By incorporating universal design principles into every aspect, age-in-place bathroom design modifications create a safe, accessible, and comfortable environment while maintaining modern style and elegance.

Image: Mont Blanc Satin Quartzite Bathroom Countertop, Smooth White Matte 8 x 24 Ceramic Wall Tile, Smooth White Matte Ceramic Pencil Liner & CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Lotus Mesh Marble Floor

Aging-in-place Bathroom Designs

Find some of the top age-in-place bathroom design features below to get ideas for your own space, the space of a loved one, or for a client project.

Wide Shower Entrances with No Threshold

Like in any home design, aging-in-place bathroom design should marry aesthetics with functionality. Wide shower entrances with no threshold are one design aspect that does this beautifully. They ensure that accessibility is never an issue, easily welcoming everyone whether on foot or wheels. The absence of a threshold eliminates a common hazard, drastically reducing the risk of trips and falls. This aspect of universal design is also chic and provides a more open and spacious look and feel to any bathroom.

Lower Countertops for Those in Wheelchairs

Incorporating lower countertops for individuals in wheelchairs is another smart aging-in-place design, enabling access to the sink and counter space without strain or difficulty. This modification significantly enhances accessibility  as people age. By designing bathrooms with this in mind,  it provides enhanced accessibility which fosters more comfortable living and a sense of independence and dignity.

Comfort Height Toilets

Comfort height toilets have also transformed the landscape of aging-in-place bathroom design. They are taller than standard toilets and make daily routines more manageable for those with limited mobility. Slightly taller than standard toilets, they are designed to be the same height as a wheelchair seat making transferring from one to the other as easy as possible. Additionally, the taller toilet height improves usability and allows an easier transition from standing to sitting and vice versa, reducing strain and the risk of falls.

Shower Seats

Shower seats can also have a huge impact in an age-in-place bathroom design. This addition not only increases safety but elevates the bathing experience to new levels of comfort and accessibility. Essential in promoting elderly living, shower seats are a cornerstone of universal design and ensure the bathroom remains a safe haven for relaxation and self-care at any age.

Grab Bars

Grab bars have also become a fundamental feature for aging-in-place bathroom design. By offering support and stability, these tools significantly reduce the likelihood of falls, making the environment safer for elderly living.

The strategic placement of grab bars is key. Ideally, they should be installed near toilets to assist in transitions. Additionally, when surrounding bathtubs and inside showers, grab bars facilitate easier accessibility and enhance confidence, providing individuals with more independence in their daily routines.

Other Aging-in-place Bathroom Design Elements

When mastering the art of aging-in-place bathroom design, there are other elements to consider beyond the ones listed above. Anti-slip flooring, discussed in more detail below, stands as a critical guardian against falls, which is a common concern in bathrooms as people age.

Additionally, incorporating adequate lighting illuminates the path for those whose vision might not be what it used to, helping to minimize the risk of trips and falls. And the simple yet effective switch to lever-style faucet handles can significantly ease the burden on arthritic hands, making water access an independent and comfortable task.

Each of these additional design components work together to create an environment that promotes safety, accessibility, and comfortable living – without sacrificing style and aesthetics.

Image: Reside Beige 24 x 48 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile, Reside Beige Straight Stack 1 x 12 Porcelain & Mont Blanc Quartzite Countertop

Importance of R11 Anti-Slip Tile

The selection of appropriate flooring plays an extremely important role in creating a safe and accessible environment for aging-in-place bathroom designs. R11 Anti-Slip tile stands out as an ideal flooring option for wet environments such as shower floors, as this specific finish is engineered to prevent slips and falls, a common concern within bathrooms and other wet environments. It offers much-needed traction underfoot, even when wet, making it an ideal choice for areas prone to moisture and spills.

For anyone considering an aging-in-place bathroom remodel, integrating R11 Anti-Slip tile into the design is a decision that will greatly pay off in the long run. Since bathrooms are a common area where home accidents occur, especially for individuals with limited mobility or those who utilize assistive devices, incorporating this can reduce the risk of these accidents.

Image: Cosmic Grey 24 x 48 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile, Paloma Cotton Glossy Rhomboid Ceramic Shower Wall Tile& Grigio Elegante Polished Quartz Countertop

R11 Anti-Slip Tile Options at Arizona Tile

At Arizona Tile, we carry a variety of options that are not only safe and functional but also enhance the overall look and feel of any bathroom.

A few of our most popular tile designs with an optional R11 Anti-slip Finish include:

• Aequa – The Aequa Series is a rectified color body porcelain that gives the appearance of reclaimed wood, providing warmth and inspiring relaxation.
• Borgo – The Borgo Series is an American-made rectified color body porcelain tile that delivers a French limestone look to simulate a natural stone appearance.
• Konkrete – The Konkrete series is an Italian-made rectified color body porcelain with a pattern that mimics the look of concrete to offer an organic appearance.
• Reside USA – The Reside USA Series is a rectified color body porcelain tile with a simplistic, clean look and is available in four neutral colors.

Check out these and our other R11 Anti-Slip tile options to see which one may go best with your bathroom design.

Bathroom Tile to Complement R11 Anti-Slip Tile

When selecting the anti-slip flooring for your aging-in-place bathroom design, we advise to incorporate tile designs that complement your other surfaces, such as countertops,  and shower walls for a cohesive look.

Some of our favorite options for these surfaces include:

• Cosmic – Rectified body color porcelain
• CS Calacatta Gris – Honed marble
• Mont Blanc – Polished quartzite
• Mont Blanc Satin – Satin quartzite
• Paloma – Ceramic tile in glossy or matte finish
• Smooth – White body ceramic wall tile

Have questions or concerns about aging-in-place bathroom design? For additional information about this design concept or the tile options provided in this post, reach out to us to speak with one of our design consultants or visit a store near you. Also, feel free to use our tile and slab visualizer tool to check out the various product options we offer and get a better feel for how your bathroom will look with the different types of tile available.