D

o you want a bathroom update 
that will be stylish and functional 
for many years to come? More 
homeowners than ever are renovating using 
universal design principles that allow these 
spaces to serve people of varying ages and 
abilities. This provides numerous important 
benefits, including higher levels of safety 
and increased property value.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN BASICS
Universal design creates an environment 
that is accessible to all people to the great-
est extent possible. That means a bathroom 
will function as well for a child as it does 
for a senior. Basic principles of universal 
design focus on functionality and, in the 
bathroom, that might mean adding stra-
tegic lighting, slip-resistant flooring and 
features like grab bars.
You don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to 
achieve the functional goals of universal 
design. More options than ever are avail-
able for enhancing the bathroom’s safety 
and functionality while adding luxurious 
upgrades that are as useful as they are 
eye-catching.
When function and fashion blend like 
this in home improvements, it can add sig-

nificant value to your property. Consider 
one of the year’s top bathroom design 
trends: curbless showers with linear drains. 
This creates a barrier-free experience that 
is visually appealing, making it ideal for the 
universal design home.

CURBLESS SHOWER FEATURES
A curbless walk-in shower eliminates 
hazards like curbs or thresholds that can 
cause people to slip or trip. It’s easier to 
use whether you walk or utilize a device 
for assistance, such as a shower wheel-
chair. Curbless showers also provide an 
open feel, which makes the space feel 
larger because visual lines are not dis-
rupted.
Curbless showers are enhanced by lin-
ear drains that are installed flush to the 
flooring, further reducing trip hazards 
while adding a sleek appearance to the 
space. With no barrier to cross, the floor 
more easily accommodates a freestanding 
bench, a walker or other mobility aids.
An added benefit is that linear drains 
generally avoid looking institutional, like 
some wheelchair-friendly bathrooms 
can. An excellent example of this count-
er-institutional trend is QuickDrain’s 

WallDrain, which practically disappears 
into the wall, offering an ultra-clean and 
contemporary look.
A curbless shower is achievable with 
various drainage points, therefore offering 
versatility in terms of design. A curbless 
shower also provides flexibility regarding 
its location in the room since the designer 
and contractor are not tied to placing the 
drain in a specific spot. Learn more at 
LRBrands.com/QuickDrain.
Deciding on shower doors is another 
important aspect of universal design. Glass 
doors work well for curbless walk-in show-
ers because they open the space and let in 
light. Another option is to design the space 
to be completely open as a wet room. Glass 
dividers are a hybrid option that provide a 
partition without a door but can be easily 
removed if you want to potentially open 
the space in the future.
Universal design is important in bath-
rooms because these spaces are used 
every day. Whether your goal is to age 
in place or you want to make home 
improvements to improve your property 
value for a future home, bathrooms with 
stylish universal design will help you meet 
your goals. 

80 | JULY 14 • 2022 

REAL ESTATE

Universal Design Principles 
Are Improving Safety and Increasing Property Value

BPT

