Future proofing a small bathroom

[KatyMac]

Planning a bathroom in a house im buying, it replaces the utility and is next to the existing WC so the new toilet is 40cm(ish) to the left of the existing soil pipe

This is one of many plans

I like a bath, DH likes a shower - im disabled and struggle from getting up from sitting on the floor of the bath and I hate a shower because of sensory issues

The door opens to a hall and will be a pocket or sliding door

Hopefully it will be a wet room (ground floor, concrete floor) & if i end up being unable to use the bath in the future we can just 'remove' it leaving a larger floor space foe a wheelchair

The bath is an omnitub or similar (happy to take recommendations) there will be a window on the back wall - not sure of position yet (it replaces the back door)

I love the built-in steps - but can't work out how to fit them in so im looking for a prettier version of the ikea stool

Ill climb up (2 steps each with 20cm rise) turn and sit on the plinth and swing my legs round, stand in the bath, step down and then sit down

Also looking for more decorative hand rails - can do chrome but the wood ones ive seen wontbwork in a bathroom

I can't work out where the sink goes!

Any helpful suggestions on my plans?

It is possible to get a loo with a built in washhandbasin but I don’t know how practicable that would be for someone with a disability.

Thanks but I dont think that will be accessible if I end up in a wheelchair

I have been looking at that sort of thing

I am no expert and you know yourself best in terms of stability and strength, but at first glance this I'll climb up (2 steps each with 20cm rise) turn and sit on the plinth and swing my legs round, stand in the bath, step down and then sit down doesnt sound easy on an unfixed step and there's still a need to get up from the bath floor.

Are side door baths an option?

I suppose it also depends on how far away the future you are proofing for is.

im not entirely sure I understand OP but would the shower not be better along the full wall where you are proposing the shower and plinth, easy to wheel into later if required. But the small bath in the middle where the shower is, with the window behind.

The bath has a seat in it, so i wont be standing from the bath floor just from a seat

The door baths arent apparently reccommended apparently

@Tortephant is that the left wall? It would only be 600 wide which seems a bit narrow - unlessni can move the loo, maybe?

The only place for the sink to go is opposite the loo. Probably a small corner sink would fit best.

Can the shower go over the bath? That would give you more room.

Would a sunken bath be easier? It’s likely to more work initially but safer long term.

No suggestions on layout but comfort height toilets are amazing-we fitted them as future proofing and I don’t know why they’re not the standard!

Are you likely to need a wheelchair at some point? If you are then I’d plan for that so enough space near the toilet so you can transfer. Maybe shower over bath for the moment and change to roll in shower if needed later.

is this the only bathroom in the property?

If you can move the toilet, would this be a workable solution? (Forgive the very basic diagram). The issue that I could see is if you had difficulty in the bath, how easy it would be for someone to help you out - but if you had an accurate drawing you would be able to measure the space. Could you visit a bathroom designer and get them to mock up a design using the products you want?

One thing that I have read recently is about putting strengthening blocks of wood between the battens/joists (sorry, can’t remember the technical terms) behind the plasterboard where you will put the grab rails.

@TwoBlueFish & @Catname if I use your plan, swop the shower and bath over then there would be spare floor space next to the toilet (in the shower - wet room so no lip/step) to do the transfer onto the toilet?

@Samewrinklesnewname already on the list! I've been hearing so nuch about them - plus a fold down step so your feet can be raised if needed

@Greenhippos I have been looking at partially sunken but there are huge issues with tanking and drainage (as its ground floor)

Upstairs there is an ensuite and a family bathroom and on the same level a single WC

This has been so useful thanks - keep the ideas coming

How does this look?

I dont have the plinth in (or fixed steps) - let me have a think

This is a nightmare my brain is going to go pop!

Can you have a shower in the middle of the wetroom?

Could you put the shower over the omnitub so the tub is effectively the shower tray? Then you have load of floor space to play with for steps, toilet transfer space, grab rails etc and if you remove the batj, you can just put a shower tray and a new shower enclosue in.

The base of the omnitub isn't very wide (from the pics)

my brother came up with this layout with a corner sink & a reminder that although a toilet needs 20cm round it - it isnt actually square

And have a folding screen so the toilet can be accessible in the future

Oh and the shower on the short wall

2 mock ups

I don’t know how disabled you are, but from seeing the bathrooms of disabled friends, I’d be concerned about whether your latest plans have enough space if you ever have to use a wheelchair. It might be different if you had a typical wet room with a curtain round the shower, but with a (glass?) screen, it may be difficult to manoeuvre - especially with the version that has the toilet in the right hand corner. It would be worth using some masking tape on the ground to mark out your design and see how much space you have.

Does the Omni tub have to have the shelf along the back or is that just a design feature you like? If it’s not necessary, it would give you a little bit more space to work with.

I think if I get to that point the bath will be removed - i intend to tile around/behind and under it (as it it wasn't there) and keep spare tiles to replace any damaged in the removal

I also hope that the screen would be folding either against the wall or against the shower and ill take advice from the fitter as to the most practical layout once I have it sorted in my head

The shelf was to out my cup of tea on 😁

I think "open the door and see the loo" is the most practical as the shower is on the end wall and the screen folds back flat against the back wall

& I have had a great idea about the steps