At Blue Copper Design, we’re often asked, “What makes a bathroom accessible?” The truth is, accessibility isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist. What works for one person might not work for another. There are a few essential features we recommend in almost every accessible bathroom design. These features go beyond just meeting code and actually make a space usable, empowering, and beautiful.

Whether you’re remodeling for yourself, a family member, or thinking ahead about aging in place, designing an ADA-compliant or barrier-free bathroom is one of the smartest investments you can make. Not only does it increase functionality for every user, it also significantly boosts the value and future-readiness of your home.

In this post, we’re breaking down three foundational features of accessible bathroom design: floating vanities, roll-in showers, and handheld shower heads. These elements may seem simple, but trust us, they make all the difference.

1. Floating Vanities: Function Meets Flexibility

Let’s start with the sink.

A floating vanity is mounted to the wall with open space underneath. This is one of our go-to features in accessible bathroom design. Why? Because it creates the necessary knee clearance for someone in a wheelchair to roll right up to the sink. That ability to get close enough to wash your hands, brush your teeth, or do your skincare routine is something many people don’t even think about until it’s suddenly impossible.

As a full-time wheelchair user, I’ve experienced this firsthand. I’ve adapted to pulling up sideways to the sink, angling my body, and doing my best. But let’s be clear: that’s a workaround, not a solution. Having a vanity I can roll under completely transforms the experience and brings back the dignity of independent care.

Storage Considerations

Yes, floating vanities do limit under-sink storage but we don’t see that as a drawback, we see it as a design opportunity. With a little creativity, you can easily supplement storage with wall-mounted cabinets, drawer towers, or recessed shelving. In fact, redistributing storage often leads to a cleaner, more organized space overall.

Accessibility Tip: Ensure the vanity height allows for both seated and standing users. Standard ADA-compliant height is typically 34 inches from floor to countertop, but it can vary based on individual needs.

2. Roll-In Showers: The Gold Standard of Accessible Bathroom Design

If there’s one feature that absolutely defines an accessible bathroom, it’s the roll-in shower.

You might have heard them called by different names: curb-less shower, zero-entry shower, or barrier-free shower, but the goal is the same: create a smooth, uninterrupted transition from the bathroom floor into the shower space.

No step. No lip. No trip hazard.

This isn’t just a nice feature for wheelchair users. It’s a safety upgrade for everyone from young kids to aging adults. A roll-in shower supports independent living, safer transfers, and better caregiving scenarios across the board.

Why Roll-In Showers Matter

A traditional step-in shower or tub can be a literal dealbreaker for people with mobility challenges. Without the ability to safely enter the shower, bathing becomes a task that requires assistance. Needing constant care just because your home is not designed properly can impact dignity, privacy, and overall quality of life.

That’s why we say roll-in showers aren’t just about access, they’re about autonomy. Plus, they look incredible!

When designed well, roll-in showers can feel spa-like, luxurious, and open. We often use continuous flooring, and sleek linear drains to create a seamless, modern aesthetic.

Construction Tips

If you’re doing a remodel, there are multiple ways to achieve a roll in shower. Depending on your home’s age, foundation type, and plumbing layout there are many options. Talk to your contractor or designer about using a recessed slab, shower pan systems, or even pre-sloped underlayment to make it happen.

Accessibility Tip: Don’t forget the slip resistance. We recommend matte-finish tiles or textured stone flooring for traction, and always include a well-placed grab bar (or better yet, multiple grab bars).

3. Handheld Shower Heads: The Unsung Hero of Bathroom Functionality

This one gets overlooked far too often, but we’re here to change that.

A handheld shower head dramatically improves the usability of a shower for all kinds of people, including kids, pets, caregivers, and anyone who doesn’t want to wash their hair every day (which is… most of us).

But in accessible design, the importance of a handheld shower cannot be overstated.

If a person can’t move their body easily to get water where it’s needed, then the water needs to move to them. A fixed shower head just doesn’t cut it when seated bathing is required. A handheld model gives users the freedom to rinse and clean their body in a way that’s comfortable and dignified.

Why We Recommend Them in Every Shower

Besides supporting better hygiene and independence, handheld showers are also incredibly convenient for caregivers and housekeepers. They make it easier to help someone bathe, clean the shower itself, and adjust water flow for different tasks.

We often pair handheld units with a vertical slide bar, which allows the user to adjust the height. And yes, we advocate for installing one in every shower we design, accessible or not.

Accessibility Tip: Be sure the controls are mounted in a reachable position, and opt for thermostatic valves to maintain a safe and consistent water temperature.

Final Thoughts: Accessible Design is Good Design

When we design accessible bathrooms, we’re not just ticking boxes to comply with ADA standards. We’re thinking about real people and real lives. We’re asking questions like:

• How does this bathroom make someone feel?
• Can someone use it independently and comfortably?
• Will this still work 10 years from now?

These aren’t just design details, they’re decisions that affect how people live every single day.

So, if you’re remodeling a bathroom and thinking about accessibility, don’t stop at bare minimum compliance. Create a space that works beautifully for every body. Prioritize access as well as aesthetics, quality, and long-term usability.

A floating vanity, a roll-in shower, and a handheld shower head may seem like small things, but together, they create the foundation of an accessible, empowering, and elevated bathroom.

Ready to Start Your Accessible Bathroom Remodel?

We’d love to help. At Blue Copper Design, we specialize in Barrier Free Design that blends form and function — because no one should have to choose between accessibility and style.

Contact us today to start your project or download our Barrier Free Design Guide for more insights and tips.