With the rise in ‘luxury accessibility’ taking off in recent years, Garry Kirkbright, senior designer at More Ability, explains how accessible bathrooms can still be on-trend and stylish.
The most common request from our clients is for their new bathroom to “not look like a hospital bathroom”, which is the typical image that many may have for an accessible toilet space.
Noticeably, the features of an accessible bathroom (non-slip flooring, raised height sanitary ware, etc.) are also common features found within contemporary luxury bathrooms. However, there are other features that could be incorporated into an accessible bathroom to offer a luxurious look:
Material adaptations
Bathroom accessories to support accessibility are now being produced in more luxurious designs.
Grab bars are typically created using white plastic. These can be switched out for chrome grab bars, choosing a metal design that matches the overall colour scheme and feel of the bathroom.
Shower benches often consist of plastic fold-down seats that may look hospital-inspired. If you switch these out for a Corian bench instead, you can blend the seating with the shower’s own aesthetic.
Floor-to-ceiling mirrors
Large mirrors or mirrored walls can create the illusion of space, especially if you have a small bathroom. Large mirrors also allow for those who are in wheelchairs or using mobility aids to see every angle of themselves when they are getting ready, in an independent and effective manner.
Additionally, these larger mirrors can act as a safety barrier when someone has limited movement and can’t see behind themselves clearly. To create a more contemporary look, consider incorporating mirror backlighting into your design or source mirrors with built-in LEDs.
Sliding doors
Entering a bathroom using traditional doors can be tough for those with different mobility needs, especially if they are a wheelchair user. Instead, using sliding doors will allow for improved access whilst using up minimal space.
Sliding doors can combine a modern touch with a sleek feel. In addition, features such as frosted glass panels can also improve light quality in the room.
Smart tech solutions
Advancements in voice activated tech and smart solutions offer greater independence for users, and should be considered in modern accessible bathrooms.
Built-in wash and dryer systems are a recent feature that are becoming more mainstream in households. Heated seats and motion-activated lids are a significant selling point for luxurious bathrooms in 2025, but these systems also have huge benefits for those with accessibility needs.
The combination of a toilet, bidet, and dryer in one easy-to-use product enables an accessible bathroom to integrate sophisticated elements whilst offering practicality and comfort.
New tech that enables products such as wash basins and bathtubs that rise and fall are gaining in popularity for accessible bathrooms. These products are excellent because they allow for different access requirements within the same home meaning they offer great solutions for families. They can even be “disguised” as standard bathroom features.
The rise in smart tech is also becoming commonplace with smart bathroom lighting and voice and touch-controlled showers.
As smart tech becomes increasingly common across society, it is also important to consider that many elderly people still lack access to WiFi. Bathroom design experts should remain conscious of this.
Futureproofing
With the UK having a rapidly ageing population, combined with the fact that bathrooms are replaced on average every 14 years, an often-undervalued feature of incorporating accessibility is that homes are futureproofed against unknown changes that may arise.
An example of this could be as simple as choosing an accessible walk-in shower, rather than a bathtub.
Having these types of conversations with homeowners and other clients can make it much easier when visualising how you would like each bathroom to stand the test of time.