Multigenerational bathrooms | PRODUCT FEATURE
Triton’s Omnicare Design thermostatic electric shower offers audible feedback and tactile temperature dial
With a simple button control, Duravit’s D.1e tap features a coloured display to indicate temperature
how to future-proof the bathroom for changing household needs
LOOKING AHEAD:
and ease of functionality is a pivotal design consideration.”
CP Hart designer Rosie Fowley agrees: “If the bathroom design does not cater to everyone, those who fall outside of the design parameters may not fully enjoy the intended experience. Multigenerational bathrooms can also increase a property’s value.” As a nation, we are all living longer. The number of people over
65 in years 2011 in
England and Wales increased from 9.2 million
to
more than 11 million a decade later, according to the Census of 2021. For the bathroom, these statistics underline the need for increased
design
awareness. “While multi gene- rational design is important in all
might need in the coming years. This might be planning for more children in the future or thinking about how to make the bathroom more comfortable for older family members.
“Flexibility and usability should be integrated and at the heart of any space,” agrees Jo Cole, product group manager at Häfele UK. Future-proofing a bathroom can
Multigenerational design is important because everyone uses the bathroom. The focus is on fulfilling as many user needs as possible, not just as many users as possible
Louise Murphy, head of marketing at Sonas
aspects of the home, it should be deemed as a priority for bathrooms,” according to John Scho field, sales and marketing director at Just Trays. “Slips in bathrooms pose significant hazards, especially to individuals who are older or have mobility difficulties. In fact, Age UK reported that six people over the age of 65 fall every minute in the UK, with around 3.4 million people over 65 suffering a fall that causes a serious injury, or even death. “Here at JT, we conducted our own research, which revealed that out of 1,000 UK residents
surveyed, a
shocking 82% of people have experienced a slip in the shower. And yet while over half of consumers view the thought of slipping in the bathroom as a concern, many do absolutely nothing about it.” It’s pivotal that retailers talk through what the consumer wants from their bathroom today – as well as what they
December 2023 •
depend on indi vidual circum - stances, but key elements include wet room style showers, comfort height toilets, lever b r a s s w a r e , adjustable hand- held showers, ther mostatic sho - wer controls and non-slip flooring. “A switch from bath to shower is a good future- proofing measure, especially if a low-level shower tray is used,” adds
Harris at Showerwall. “And there’s also the option to add seats and grab rails to suit different generational needs.” “We often design spaces based on current preferences and trends, but it’s important not to forget how bathrooms
Grohe’s Sensia Arena shower toilet offers touch-free personal care
must provide for a variety of gene- rations as we move through life,” puts in Ashley Cooper, marketing director at Triton Showers.
Rethinking space and storage should also be key factors, says Jon Walker of The Roxor Group: “Where space allows, homeowners should consider incorporating another bath- room or cloakroom.”
Demand
The demand for multigenerational bathrooms is only set to increase. But how established is the market, both in terms of product offerings from the bathroom brands and retailer awareness?
Product innovation is highly attuned
to universal design principles, whether that’s infra-red, hands-free lighting, lever basin mixers or seamless, non-slip shower trays. It’s not simply the function of a bathroom product that has come under the spotlight and today’s multigenerational bathrooms need to look as good as they work.
“Products that aid inclusive living
have historically been seen as bolt- ons with little aesthetic appeal,” adds Cole at Häfele. “However, manu- facturers
are evolving their designs with aesthetics in mind.” • GRAB RAILS:
ensure walls are reinforced from the outset so bars can be added in the future
• COMFORT-HEIGHT TOILETS
suited to users with a variety of mobility issues. Plus push-button controls
• THERMOSTATIC SHOWERS
for safe and stable water temperature even when water is being used in other parts of the home
• HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE HAND SHOWERS for every member of the family
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• LEVER BASIN MIXERS more suitable for people facing dexterity challenges
• SHOWER TOILETS including automatic flush and lid opening and closing, personalised washing and drying functions controlled by an app
• LARGE OPEN SHOWERS OR WET ROOM
with wide access point and level access trays to increase accessibility and reduce the possibility of tripping
• NON-SLIP FLOORING AND ANTI-SLIP SHOWER TRAY for accessible and safe showering
• SHOWER SEAT: a flip down shower seat or bench to help users with mobility challenges
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