In the fall, we had our son's bathroom remodeled from your typical small full bath to a accessible bathroom with a roll in shower area.
This has been a lifesaver in our household. Lifting a 80 pound child out of his wheelchair, into the bathroom and then up over the bathtub was doing a number on my back. Add to that the safety concerns of picking up a slippery wet child and this project was a necessity.
This allows us to roll his special shower wheelchair right into the room and into the shower. Lifesaver, I tell you.
I'll show you the decor photos first and put the technical information down toward the bottom, so all of you who want to bail early can just scroll through the pretty stuff.
This is what the bathroom used to look like. Bathtub with tub surround and shower, a typical toilet and vanity area. To give you perspective, the room measures roughly 5 ½' by 9'.
I sort of liked it as is with the vintage cowboy theme going on and little granite topped vanity, but this remodel had very little to do with looks and everything to do with function. So out with what was not working and in with something that would work.
Buying guide:
The wall color is Martha Stewart's Bedford Gray, but in Home Depot's Glidden paint.
The metal sap bucket, oil can and locker baskets were antique store and barn sale finds.
The Beacon Gasoline sign was from Hobby Lobby. I bought it when it was 50% off, because no one ever pays full price for anything at Hobby Lobby. Ever.
Now for the technical stuff.
This was not a DIY project. At all. Way too much plumbing, hvac, permits, inspections and structural stuff were involved.
I don't have any photos of the remodel in progress, because it honestly made me want to throw up. Having someone hammer, saw and drag stuff in and out of my house was a traumatic experience. The thought of taking a photo of it made me queasy. Yes, I have issues.
So in a nutshell, the room was demolished. Pam passed out and stayed in the fetal position for the next three weeks.
During that time, the sink and toilet were moved to the right to make room for a larger shower area. That means that the plumbing had to be redone. Although it's not technically handicap accessible, we opted to have a pedestal sink rather than a roll under sink, since my son doesn't actually ever roll up to the sink himself.
The shower area was increased as much as possible (and code would allow).
In order for the shower area to be able to be rolled into and the floor area to drain properly (there's no barrier or lip to keep water in the shower), the floor joists were cut and angled (this is the part that freaked me the heck out), so there is a slight slope toward the drain. Bracing was then installed in the crawl space below this area to reinforce the floor.
The hvac vent was moved from the floor to the wall, so water would not run into it.
Tile underlayment and rubber membrane were installed over the entire floor, because technically the shower floor is the whole room. Not that it really ever gets that wet past the shower zone, but, just in case, you want it to be very waterproof. The tile has an x like raised pattern on it, so it is pretty much non slip.
A movable shower head was installed and sheets of a cultured (man made) marble were used for the surround area. Grab bars were installed for the safety of the caregiver.
You may be asking, "Where's the shower curtain?"
Whoever is bathing my son stands right beside him in the shower and uses the handheld shower to bathe him. We tried it with the shower curtain and it seemed to just get in the way more than anything. And my husband kept banging his head into it. We've had no issues with over spray and when we have guests that will be using the shower, I have the tension shower rod and curtain ready to temporarily hang for them.
This was one of the best things we've done to our house to make it more convenient for a wheelchair.
OK, If anyone made it all the way through this post, you deserve an award! I don't have one for you, but go buy yourself something pretty. Maybe an oil can or two.
Lindah
What a practical and lovely bathroom. I can see how this would be so much better for you. Actually, Pam, I have dreamed of a shower like that. Easier to use and to clean, I would think.
Jenny @ Simcoe Street
Such a lovely bathroom!
Tazas y Cuentos
I love your wire baskets and all the other details. Your oil can reminds me the little collection I shared some time ago with my mother's vintage sewing machine.
Besides being so cute I'm glad you will all feel more comfortable now.
Congratulations!
Besos, Silvina
andrea@townandprairie
Of course I read the whole thing! That's an awesome project to take on and obviously a lot of fear into it, too! I hope you don't ever have to move. The vintage wooden box (I'm a box junkie) makes my heart go pitter patter and I Love what you did to make it cool and functional. I hope simple things like bathing are now less complicated and easier for all.
Eclectically Vintage
So glad the remodel makes your family's life easier! And it looks amazing too! Love those locker baskets and that gasoline sign (can't believe it's a Hobby Lobby find)!! Lots to pin here!
Kelly
JunkStuffTreasures
Your bathroom re-do is so nice. Functional & stylish! In the near future, we will re-do our master bathroom to eliminate the tub and enlarge the shower. Our autistic son can not wash himself properly, so my husband is the shower-giver. He's 6'5", and my son is 6'2"- both too big to fit in a standard shower. Thanks for the inspiration that it can be done!
Shabby chic Sandy
Love your bathroom--so need to do this for our son too--and it seems like it would be perfect for all of us! Thanks for showing it off 🙂
Ellie VanCaster
What a great remodel and even though it was probably hard I'm glad you've made things easier for everyone.
Have a good week.
TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic
It looks great and I'm happy that you'll be saving your back... you need your strength for thrifting! Love the vintage touches and LOL on the Hobby Lobby thing. We don't have them here, but it's the same for us at Michael's. Their regular price is extortion! Enjoy the workman-free atmosphere! 🙂
20 North Ora
Pam - That looks great and it will make it so much easier on everyone. Your decor looks really awesome. I'm sure that will be so much easier on your back. Great job!
Judy
Gretchen
That cowboy curtain was super cute, but I love the new look, too. And, yes, functional definitely trumps all--glad you have a set up that's working better for you now!
Leslie Harris
Pam. One word: Fantastic! There's so much to love about this new bathroom. If I could go into a fetal position and end up with this I gladly would! 🙂 Love your vintage baskets and all those details that make so Cool! And I'm going to check out that paint color for my next bathroom paint job.
Leslie (GwenMoss)
Kim K.
That vintage sign looks like something Frank and would have negotiated on American Pickers. Awesome find. Your bathroom makeover is perfect in every way. I'm so happy for you.
Vickie @ Ranger 911
You've created a space that works well for you and looks cool, too! I was surprised that the sign was from Hobby Lobby and not a vintage find. It looks like it's from the same era as the oil can. And I love the way you've hung the wire baskets on the wall for storage, too. Well done!
Joanne Noragon
I read right to the last period. Wonderful change for the family. My daughter made a room of the basement "facilities" in her hundred odd year house. A tiny sink went in the corner across from the toilet and you literally walk through the shower to use the toilet. The ingenuity of it all.
Jane
You created a very pretty as well as extremely functional space!! I know how much having an accessible space means. Your vintage touches really give the bathroom a lot of personality, great job!! I enjoyed reading in your comment to me that he also has a toxic green wheelchair!!
Jane