Washrooms


dignity, comfort, and autonomy, without highlighting or isolating users with additional needs. A grab bar need not look medical. A shower seat should not feel like an afterthought. When well-designed, these features blend seamlessly into the space and serve all users – not just those with reduced mobility. Designing for all is also about supporting


rehabilitation and wellbeing. Whether in respite care, temporary accommodation, or long-term residency, users benefit from environments that feel like a home-from- home, not institutional. At DELABIE, this philosophy informs


every product we develop. We collaborate with designers and occupational therapists to ensure that our ranges are not only compliant, but inclusive and intuitive to use. In our view, a truly inclusive space is one that you hardly notice is accessible because it simply works for everyone.


Bridging the accessibility gap – form meets function To be truly inclusive, accessible products must bridge the gap between functionality and form to provide the performance expected in a clinical setting, with an aesthetic suitable for high-end care environments. Working in collaboration with industrial


designers and occupational therapists, it is possible to develop grab bars and shower seats that are both ergonomic and visually refined. When the multiplicity of user’s needs is central to the design brief, the result is products that support users safely and comfortably, without detracting from the space’s overall design. Shower seats and accessories should


follow the same design principles: compliance, practicality and aesthetic; designed to meet user needs and to integrate discreetly into any space and within social housing and NHS budgets. Design does not have to compromise on


performance – and accessibility does not have to look clinical. The right product can be both inclusive and beautiful.


Cost vs value – budgeting for long-term impact When discussing accessibility, cost is often a sticking point, but it is essential to shift the focus from short-term expense to long-term value. Too often, accessible washroom fittings


are viewed an afterthought with budget left over after flooring, lighting, and decorative


Good design creates spaces


that integrate and empower users


finishes have been chosen. Yet, a poorly chosen grab bar or budget shower seat can quickly undermine the entire environment visually, functionally, and, in worst-case scenarios, in terms of user safety. The irony is that accessibility fittings


typically represent a very small proportion of the overall project budget, especially in large-scale care home developments or refurbishments. And yet, their impact on residents’ dignity, comfort, and independence cannot be over-stated. Moreover, cutting corners in this area


often leads to higher maintenance costs or premature replacement – especially when products designed for domestic use are installed in public or semi-public settings. By investing upfront in fit-for-purpose, tested, and professionally specified solutions, care home operators will save money over the long term while also improving the user experience. And finally, we must ask: is dignity ever


too expensive? Accessible design is not about luxury; it is about equity. Every resident, visitor, and staff member deserves to feel safe and respected in their environment. And when accessibility is well-executed, the entire care home benefits – operationally, ethically, and reputationally.


Designing for dignity, not just for compliance At its core, accessibility in care home environments is about more than compliance, it is about dignity. It is about placing people at the centre of design, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, and about recognising that mobility challenges are not rare or niche, but part of the reality for many residents, visitors, and even staff members in care facilities. Accessible design should not be


institutional or clinical. It should be subtle, intelligent, and integrated, supporting independence without drawing attention to limitations. Through thoughtful product development, informed by regulatory guidance, user experience, and design expertise, it is possible to create washroom


solutions that are both inclusive and inspiring. Specifying products that meet the highest standards of performance, hygiene, safety, and aesthetics while respecting the budgets and practicalities of real-world care home environments should not have to mean stretching the budget. The future of accessible design in


care homes is not about doing the bare minimum. It is about creating spaces that welcome everyone, preserve dignity, and support meaningful independence at every stage of life. Because design is not just about what looks good, it is about how it makes people feel. And everyone deserves to feel at home.n


Bibliography HM Government: The Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document M, Vol. 2 Buildings Other than Dwellings, 2015 (incorporating 202 and 2024 amendments) HM Government:The Building Regulations 2010, Toilet accommodation: Approved Document T1, 2024 edition Health & Safety Executive HSG274 Technical guidance Part 2:The control of legionella in hot and cold water systems, Published 2024.


Carole Armstrong


Carole Armstrong is the senior marketing and communications manager for DELABIE UK Ltd. She has 16 years’ experience in the healthcare and public washroom sector, and is responsible for media relations and technical translations for the UK market. DELABIE is the European market leader for tap ware and sanitary accessories, providing innovative and sustainable solutions for the public and commercial sectors, including healthcare, education, and catering.


October 2025 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 35


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