Designing for Dignity: The Power of Universal Design in Bathroom Remodeling

As we grow older or support loved ones through life’s changing seasons, the way we live in our homes must also evolve. One of the most impactful ways to future-proof your home is by remodeling high-use spaces with accessibility in mind, especially the bathroom. For Phoenix-area homeowners, incorporating universal design into a bathroom remodel is more than a smart investment in safety and functionality. It’s a commitment to comfort, independence, and dignified living—without compromising on beauty.

At Homework Remodels, we specialize in aging-in-place renovations, transforming bathrooms into stylish, accessible, and barrier-free spaces that meet the needs of every family member—whether they’re 8 or 88 years old. With over two decades of remodeling experience in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and surrounding cities, we understand how to design and build accessible bathrooms that blend safety with stunning design.

What Is Universal Design?

Universal design is a design philosophy that promotes accessibility, usability, and comfort for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities. It goes beyond meeting minimum accessibility standards—it anticipates diverse physical needs and incorporates thoughtful features that make life easier for everyone.

In bathroom remodeling, universal design principles include barrier-free access, adaptable fixtures, non-slip surfaces, and smart layouts that support both current and future needs. Importantly, these features are seamlessly integrated into the aesthetics of the room, ensuring that your accessible bathroom still feels like home—not a hospital.

Why Choose a Universal Design Bathroom?

Whether you’re planning for retirement, supporting a loved one with mobility challenges, or simply making your forever home more livable, a bathroom remodel with universal design principles offers several benefits:

Increased safety with features that reduce fall risks
Improved functionality for users with temporary or permanent disabilities
Long-term independence for aging adults
Increased home value through forward-thinking upgrades
Peace of mind for caregivers and family members

Let’s explore the most effective universal design features that can transform your bathroom into a safe, inclusive, and beautiful space.

Curbless Walk-In Showers: A Safer, Sleeker Solution

Traditional tubs and high shower thresholds are among the most common culprits in bathroom-related injuries. A curbless, walk-in shower removes this barrier, allowing for smooth, effortless access. These zero-threshold showers are perfect for people using mobility aids like walkers, rollators, or wheelchairs—but they also offer a modern, spa-like aesthetic that appeals to all homeowners.

We custom-design curbless showers with stylish touches like:

Linear drains that manage water flow discreetly
Textured tile flooring for better traction
Built-in benches for seated showering
Handheld showerheads with slide bars for adjustability

In Arizona’s desert climate, tile is a popular material—but selecting the right texture is essential for safety.

Accessible Doesn’t Mean Institutional

One of the myths about universal design is that it results in sterile, clinical spaces. Today’s accessible bathroom fixtures and features come in a wide variety of colors, finishes, and styles that enhance your overall design.

Take grab bars, for example. While they once screamed “nursing home,” modern grab bars are now available in elegant finishes like matte black, brushed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze. At Homework Remodels, we install grab bars with hidden fasteners and contemporary profiles that blend seamlessly with the rest of your fixtures—so they look more like stylish towel bars than assistive devices.

Our team ensures that all grab bars are anchored into reinforced walls or blocking during construction, guaranteeing their strength and reliability.

Comfort-Height Toilets and Accessible Fixtures

Comfort-height toilets—also known as ADA-compliant toilets—sit about 17 to 19 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 15 inches. This makes it easier for people with limited mobility or knee issues to sit down and stand up without strain.

Other universally designed bathroom fixtures we often recommend include:

Lever-style faucets that are easy to operate with limited grip strength
Touchless faucets that reduce germ spread and improve hygiene
Anti-scald valves to prevent sudden changes in water temperature

These features are especially useful for people with arthritis, cognitive impairments, or sensory sensitivity.

Non-Slip Flooring and Seamless Transitions

Arizona homes often feature beautiful but slick tile flooring. In a wet environment like the bathroom, that can be a hazard. We help clients choose slip-resistant tile with higher Coefficient of Friction (COF) ratings, ensuring stable footing without sacrificing elegance.

In addition to non-slip surfaces, we eliminate level changes between rooms. This means no awkward steps or transitions between your bathroom and adjoining areas—especially important for those using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.

Wider Doorways and Optimized Layouts

A truly accessible bathroom considers not just what’s inside the room but how you get in and out of it. Standard doorways are often too narrow for wheelchair users or even wide walkers. We widen bathroom doorways to a minimum of 36 inches to allow safe, easy access.

We also rework floor plans to ensure:

At least 60 inches of turning radius for wheelchairs
Clear knee space under sinks and vanities
Easily reachable shelves, mirrors, and towel bars

Whether you live in a historic Phoenix bungalow or a newer home in Gilbert, our team can help you create a smart, navigable layout that works for your space.

Layered, Motion-Activated Lighting

Good lighting is critical in a universally designed bathroom. Many bathroom injuries happen due to poor nighttime visibility. Our lighting plans include:

Bright general lighting
Focused task lighting at the vanity
Ambient lighting in the shower or around mirrors
Motion-activated toe-kick or under-cabinet lighting for nighttime use

These layers of light improve visibility, reduce eye strain, and support safe movement throughout the day and night.

Mirrors and Storage Within Reach

It’s the little things that make a big difference. A universal design bathroom features:

Tilting mirrors for seated and standing users
Pull-out drawers or pull-down shelving to avoid reaching and straining
Accessible medicine cabinets at lower heights

We customize cabinetry and storage solutions to your needs, whether that means adjusting the counter height or adding soft-close hardware to prevent slamming doors.

The Homework Remodels Difference: Phoenix’s Aging-in-Place Experts

Our passion is helping people live fully and independently in the homes they love. Whether you live in Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, or Scottsdale, our team brings design-build expertise, certified universal design knowledge, and local insight to your bathroom remodel.

We’re not just contractors—we’re trusted partners. We’ve helped countless Arizona families plan for aging in place with confidence, creating homes that are both accessible and elegant.

We work closely with our clients through every step of the process:

Design consultations to understand your mobility needs and style preferences
Space planning to optimize layouts and flow
Product selection that combines form and function
Construction management to bring your vision to life, safely and efficiently

Led by nationally certified remodeling professionals, Homework Remodels is proud to deliver solutions that are practical, beautiful, and built to last.

Ready to Age-Proof Your Bathroom with Universal Design?

If you’re exploring aging-in-place renovations or want to create a safe, accessible bathroom for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to help. Universal design is about more than accessibility—it’s about freedom, dignity, and peace of mind.

Let Homework Remodels be your guide to safer, smarter living. Call us today at (602) 478-5102, or visit www.homeworkremodels.com to schedule your consultation.

Proudly remodeling homes throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, and Gilbert, we’re honored to help families create spaces that welcome every generation.