Small Bathroom Changes That Improve Everyday Accessibility

Let’s be real—bathrooms in older homes? Definitely not designed with accessibility in mind. Tight corners. Slippery floors. Awkward everything. Whether you’re trying to age in place, bounce back from surgery, or just—honestly—help someone stay safe and independent… even the tiniest, most boring-looking bathroom tweaks can make a ridiculously big difference.

Honestly? It’s kind of amazing what a grab bar or a better lightbulb can do.

Start With the Low-Hanging Fruit

Here’s the good news: some of the best accessibility upgrades are painfully simple. Like, “why didn’t I do this sooner?” simple.

A lot of fixes get overlooked because they don’t feel exciting. But they work. And they make everyday life easier almost immediately. Small changes. Minimal effort. Big payoff.

Fair warning though—you might kick yourself once you realize how easy some of these really are.

Swap Out Door Handles

Knob-style handles are a pain. Literally. If you’ve got arthritis, or if your hands are wet (which—duh—they usually are in a bathroom), twisting those little suckers can be tough. Lever-style handles are way easier to grip and push down.

Install Grab Bars (And Not Just in the Shower)

Yes, grab bars help in showers. But also by the toilet, next to the sink, or even by the bathroom entrance? Very useful. You can get ones that look sleek and modern—some even double as towel bars. Don’t forget: grab bars need to be installed into wall studs.

The Genius of Tub Cut-Out Kits

Here’s where things get a little magical.

Climbing into a standard bathtub is a huge obstacle for so many people. It’s like asking someone with knee pain (or vertigo, or just plain bad luck) to step over a slippery wall while balancing on one foot. Not ideal.

This is where this tub cut out kit from Quick Tub shines. It’s a clever solution that lets you modify your existing bathtub—yes, the one you already have—into a walk-in shower setup. Basically, a section of the tub wall is cut out and fitted with a watertight insert, creating a low-step entry point.

Why It’s Awesome:

No need to replace your tub: Which saves you a lot of money.
Quick installation: Often done in just a few hours. Seriously.
Looks clean and professional: Not like a janky DIY hack.
Can be reversible: Some versions allow you to reinsert the cut-out if needed.

For households where a full bathroom renovation is out of budget (or just not realistic right now), this kind of tub cut-out kit is kind of a miracle. Especially in older St. Louis homes where layouts tend to be more rigid, it’s one of the few solutions that actually works with what’s already there.

Lighting: A Sneaky Culprit

Bad lighting = bad visibility = more accidents. It’s that simple.

Bathrooms often rely on a single ceiling fixture that casts weird shadows—very spooky, very unhelpful. Swapping in brighter, warmer LED bulbs can immediately improve visibility. Even better? Install motion-sensor night lights near the floor. So if someone needs to get up at 2 a.m., they’re not fumbling in the dark. (Been there. Stubbed that toe.)

Toilet Time (But Make It Safer)

This might sound funny—but toilet height really matters.

A standard toilet is about 15 inches tall. Not great for people with knee or hip issues. Consider switching to a “comfort height” toilet (around 17–19 inches), which is much easier to sit down on and get up from. If replacing the toilet isn’t in the cards, add a raised toilet seat. Some even come with built-in armrests—fancy, right?

Sinks That Don’t Suck

Pedestal sinks are pretty, but not always practical. Especially for folks who use walkers, wheelchairs, or just need a little more stability while washing up.

Consider wall-mounted sinks that leave space underneath, allowing someone to roll right up. Or at the very least, opt for a wide, easy-to-grip faucet handle (those old-school twist knobs? The worst).

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall (But Tilt It, Maybe?)

This one’s small but clever: if the bathroom is used by someone who sits while grooming (like in a chair or wheelchair), mounting the mirror slightly lower or at a tilt can make a huge difference. You don’t want to feel like you’re brushing your teeth blind, right?

Storage That Actually Works

If your toiletries are perched on the window sill, the edge of the tub, or stacked in wobbly, toppling piles—yeah, it’s time. There’s definitely room for improvement.

And no, you don’t need a fancy custom cabinet. Just smart, reachable storage. Install open shelves at a height that actually makes sense. Not too high, not weirdly low—just… reachable.

Suction-cup caddies? Also a win. They stick to tile, come in all sizes, and don’t require a drill (hallelujah). Look for ones with drainage so you’re not cleaning out weird water slime every week. Been there. Not fun.

And baskets—don’t sleep on baskets. A few well-placed bins can take clutter from chaotic to totally manageable.

Because accessibility isn’t just about grab bars and raised toilet seats. It’s about flow. It’s about making daily routines smoother, faster, and less annoying. When everything has a place? You feel it. Life gets easier. Even if it’s just a better spot for your shampoo.

Real Talk: Accessibility is Personal

Here’s the thing. Not every bathroom needs every change. What works great for one person might not be needed for someone else. And that’s okay.

The goal is to really think about the small, repeated moments in the day that could be easier, safer, or less frustrating.

It’s not about making your bathroom look like a hospital (please no). It’s about keeping independence intact, and making life a little kinder to navigate.

You don’t have to do everything at once. That’s just not realistic for most of us. But if your bathroom feels like a stressful zone instead of a safe one… it might be time to start somewhere. Anywhere.

And yeah, the process isn’t always perfect. Maybe the new lightbulbs are too bright. Maybe the first grab bar got installed slightly crooked (oops). It’s fine. Seriously. Accessibility is a journey, and it’s totally okay to fumble through it a bit. The important thing is that you care enough to try. Your knees, hips, and future self? They’ll thank you later.