See The Before and After Images of this Aging In Place Bath Remodel

We recently completed an aging-in-place bath remodel for our client Nancy, an older woman living in the Maple Bluff neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin.

Nancy's bathroom was last remodeled in the 1990s and was the model of 90s style. The bath was going on thirty years old, and she wanted to update its functionality and aesthetics. She also desired aging-in-place features that could not be installed in her current bathroom’s layout. Since her previous remodeler is now out of business, she did her research to find the right design-build firm to do her project. After giving us a call, meeting with us, and seeing our previous work for aging-in-place projects, she chose us to remodel her bathroom to meet her changing needs.

Updating A 1990s Remodel to an Aging-In-Place Bath

Her existing bathroom was a classic 1990s remodel. The layout featured a simple long vanity, a soffit with can lights above a long mirror, and a built-in bath, but oddly enough, no shower. Instead, the shower head was mounted at the front of the tub, barely reaching into the tub.

Nancy had decided to stay in the comfortable home she loved as she aged. Her age meant the vanity and bathtub in the space no longer worked for her.

Creating an Aging-In-Place Bath

Nancy wanted to remove the existing tub and instead design a low-threshold walk-in shower with grab bars, an ADA-compliant comfort height toilet, and a new bath and make-up vanity. When working with Nancy during the design process, she informed us that it might be possible to relocate the shower to the opposite end of the bathroom from the current bathtub. During the last remodel in the 1990s, the shower had been located at the opposite end of the room and was removed, but the plumbing was left in place and just covered up.

A Traditional Look to Match Nancy's Style

Nancy loved a traditional look and wanted her new bathroom design to function and feel like an extension of her existing home design. Together, we devised a simple and traditional color scheme that she loved! We painted the custom Amish cabinetry a creamy off-white and the walls a warm coral color, which worked perfectly with the polished brass finishes.

For safety, we installed a low-slip hexagonal marble-pattern porcelain tile for enhanced traction. The flooring and Blanco Maple quartz vanity countertop work together beautifully—another safety feature we included in our design was Moen Secure Mount Grab Bars in the shower enclosure.

Bathroom Remodeling Challenges

Every remodeling project has challenges, and Nancy's bathroom was no exception! When we started construction, we ran into a few. The biggest challenge was successfully changing the layout of the existing bath by relocating the shower from the exterior to the interior wall. As Nancy informed us during the design meeting, the plumbing from the old shower was still in place but much of it needed to be updated and brought up to current building code standards.

We addressed this challenge and encountered another minor issue. The existing wall cladding contained lead paint. Following proper lead removal protocols, we carefully demoed and removed the cladding to keep both ourselves and our client safe.

The Result of This Bathroom Remodel

Nancy is thrilled with her updated bathroom. This complete bathroom remodel created a warm, aesthetically beautiful, and functional bathroom perfectly designed to meet Nancy's needs now and in the future. Nancy can now enjoy her new bathroom safely for years to come!

Are you considering a bathroom remodeling project? Let us help you create a safe and functional aging-in-place bath to meet your family's unique needs! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.