Accessible and Ageing-in-Place Bathroom Design

By the Baroco team, Mount Waverley · Updated October 2026

01Plan for current and future needs

Before you choose tiles or tapware, think about who will use the bathroom over the next ten to twenty years. Mobility can change gradually, and a design that works for a walking frame, wheelchair or carer will save you another renovation later.

You don't need to turn your bathroom into a hospital room. Select practical features that fit your home, such as a step-free shower, a comfort-height toilet and lever taps. If you are unsure, build in flexibility now, like wall blocking for grab rails, so you can add rails when needed.

• Allow clear space in front of the toilet, basin and shower.
• Think about reaching distances from a seated position.
• Choose finishes that are easy to clean and maintain.

02Step-free showers and wet areas

A step-free shower has no hob or raised lip at the entry. The bathroom floor continues into the shower area, which removes a trip hazard and lets a shower chair or wheelchair roll straight in. The floor must be graded carefully to direct water to the drain without ponding.

Waterproofing is the most important part of this work. The membrane must extend across the entire bathroom floor and up the walls to comply with AS 3740. This is not a DIY job; use a licensed waterproofer and have the membrane inspected before tiling.

To manage splash, use a fixed glass panel or a half-screen instead of a full door. A handheld shower on a slide rail makes seated showering easier and is useful for washing children or pets.

• Use a strip drain or channel drain at the shower entry.
• Choose a slip-resistant tile for the shower floor.
• Keep shampoo niches within easy reach, around 900–1100mm from the floor.

03Grab rails and wall blocking

Grab rails must be fixed into something solid. Standard plasterboard will not hold a rail if someone grabs it. During the framing stage, ask your builder to install timber blocking or plywood sheeting in walls at likely rail locations: beside the toilet, inside the shower, and near the bath.

Decide where rails will go before the walls are closed up. Common positions include a vertical rail at the shower entry, a horizontal rail along the back wall of the shower, and an angled rail beside the toilet. If in doubt, add extra blocking; it is cheap and hidden behind the tiles.

Choose rails that are designed for bathroom use, with a non-slip grip and a corrosion-resistant finish. Modern rails come in a range of styles and colours, so they don't have to look institutional.

• Typical mounting heights are between 800mm and 900mm, but confirm with your installer.
• Use stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium.
• A fold-down rail is a good option for tight spaces.

04Toilet height and placement

A comfort-height toilet has a seat height of around 450–480mm from the floor, which is higher than a standard model and much easier for people with stiff hips or knees. Wall-hung toilets can be set at your preferred height, while many floor-mounted pans are available in a taller version.

Leave enough space beside the toilet for a wheelchair transfer or for a carer to assist. A clear space of at least 900mm on one side is a good target. Position the toilet roll holder within easy reach, and consider a bidet seat or washlet for improved hygiene and independence.

An elongated bowl gives more support and is often more comfortable than a round bowl. The flush button should be easy to see and reach from a seated or standing position.

• Check the seat height before you buy.
• If you are planning for a wheelchair, allow space for a side transfer.
• A wall-hung toilet can be set at exactly the height you need.

05Lever taps and easy-to-use fixtures

Lever or mixer taps require much less grip strength than twist knobs. A single-lever mixer for the basin, shower and bath lets you control temperature and flow with one hand or even an elbow. Sensor taps are another option but may need a power source.

Thermostatic mixing valves keep water temperature stable and prevent scalding. They are now standard practice in Australian bathrooms; your plumber can confirm the required temperature settings for your home.

A handheld shower on a slide bar is one of the most useful additions for ageing in place. It works for seated showering, carer assistance and general cleaning.

• Choose lever handles with a long, easy-to-grip shape.
• If wheelchair access is needed, position basin taps to the side rather than the centre.
• Clearly marked hot and cold indicators help prevent accidents.

06Slip resistance and door widths

Wet floors are a common cause of falls. Choose floor tiles with an appropriate slip resistance rating for wet barefoot areas; R10 or R11 is typical for bathroom and shower floors. Avoid high-gloss polished tiles in wet zones, and consider smaller tiles with more grout lines for extra grip.

Keep all floor transitions flush. A raised threshold at the bathroom door or shower entry can catch a foot or wheel. If you are replacing the door, aim for a clear opening of at least 820mm to suit a walking frame or wheelchair.

If you are planning a renovation in Melbourne, Baroco's showroom in Mount Waverley displays many of these fixtures and fittings, so you can test them before you commit. Talk to our team about your needs.

• Use a matte or textured floor finish.
• Check that the floor falls evenly to the drain.
• A wider door opening is easier to achieve during a renovation.