Aging In Place Bathroom Redesign

Accessibility Without Compromise

Our clients had lived in their nearly 100-year-old Seattle home for decades and wanted to stay. But health was declining rapidly, and the husband needed wheelchair accessibility. The existing doorways were too narrow, the layout could not accommodate a wheelchair, and the bathroom was not safe for someone with limited mobility.

The Challenge

• Nearly 100-year-old home with narrow doorways
• Wheelchair accessibility required throughout the bathroom
• Existing bathtub created barriers to safe entry and exit
• Clients wanted to honor their love of Spanish and Italian architecture

Our Design Approach

We removed the bathtub entirely and converted the bathroom into a continuous wet area, barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible from entry to shower. The entire floor slopes to a central drain, allowing freedom of movement throughout the space. We widened the doorway and selected slip-resistant tile that reads as intentional design rather than clinical accommodation.

The clients travel extensively through Spain and Italy, and those influences shaped every material choice. Hand-painted tile accents reference Mediterranean craftsmanship, while warm earth tones and wrought-iron details bring the richness of Southern European interiors into their Pacific Northwest home.

Design Details

• Full wet-room conversion with barrier-free wheelchair access
• Slip-resistant tile with Spanish-Italian design influences
• Wall-mounted vanity at accessible height with lever-handle fixtures
• Grab bars integrated into the tile pattern as decorative elements
• Hand-painted tile accents inspired by Mediterranean craftsmanship

This is what thoughtful design looks like: a space where safety features disappear into beauty, and the people who live there feel dignified every single day.