2025 PRO Grand Award Winner – Universal Design for Bathrooms
Our homeowner loved her home and neighborhood, but never loved her primary bathroom. She was sure that the design was someone’s idea to create a “fancy” bathroom; but the layout was a bit like an obstacle course, dated, unattractive and unsafe.
With a goal to age-in-place, our client wanted to reimagine the bathroom to make it safer, more functional, and update the overall look of the 20-year-old space with easier to care for products in neutral, soothing pallets.
BEFORE: The 20-year-old primary bathroom had two water closets, two single vanities, a large raised tub in the middle of the room and a large walk-through shower. With a goal to age in place: The shower openings were narrow and had a tripping hazard threshold • the tub was hard to get in and out of safely • the two single vanities weren’t ideal for this single homeowner in terms of maximizing space for one person • she didn’t need two water closets • the bathroom finishes/materials were difficult to maintain
AFTER: The new primary bathroom has: One water closet that was made larger to be a more gracious space • one larger double bowl vanity • a safer tub tucked away on one wall rather than in the middle of the room • a larger linen closet • a shower with easy to maintain tile on the floor and walls • a no-threshold opening with wider access
BEFORE: The primary bathroom was a mirror image of itself with the tub in the middle…
Single vanities and water closets on both sides of the tub and walk-through shower
BEFORE: The raised tub, with wide surround, in the middle of the room was hard to get in and out of safely. The two single vanities weren’t ideal for this single homeowner. She wanted one larger vanity to maximize space for herself. Lighting was poor and the room often felt very dark. Natural light from the two windows in the shower was blocked by the tub wall.
AFTER: The new primary bathroom meets all the clients needs. It is: More attractive • Safer for aging in place • Has easy to maintain products • Has greater functionality
AFTER… CLIENT NEED – MORE ATTRACTIVE: Our client wanted a neutral, calming color palette: Paint is Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath and Spa… an adaptable beige with a nice balance of warm and cool tones • Cabinets in rift cut white oak with custom stain in vanity and on tub surround • 12 X 24 Atlas Concorde tile in beige covers the main floor area and the shower floor for a consistent look • 12 X 24 Piemme Purestone tile on shower walls and tub wall in beige • Posssini pendant light in brushed nickel • Tops are Cambria quartz in Darlington with wisps of khaki and olive
AFTER… SAFER: The new primary bathroom is safer: Non-skid, matte finished tiles throughout • Tub is more conducive to an older body getting in and out • No threshold on the shower reduced risk of falls • Wider access to the shower increases accessible for any level of capabilities and assistive devices • Recessed and accent lighting provides plenty of illumination
AFTER… SAFER: The new 60-inch soaker tub is safer: The tub surround is not too wide, making it easy to get in and out of the tub • Strategically placed grab bars improve safety • Tub filler and hand-held body spray enhances ease of use and tub safety • Lever plumbing fittings are easily graspable
AFTER… SAFER & MORE FUNCTIONAL: A special safety feature is shown in this photo: We installed a motion detector at the door leading from the bedroom to the bathroom so that when the client gets up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, toe kick lighting comes on to illuminate the bathroom just enough to ensure safe walking but not so bright that it is shocking to the eye. (This feature is one of our client’s favorites).
The mirrors have integrated lighting with push touch dimming controls • We installed a two-outlet power strip with C-type charging outlets in the top vanity drawer and the tower cabinets so that electric tools could be kept plugged in yet out of sight • Level plumbing fittings for easy operation
BEFORE: The former shower had tiny tiles with lots of grout, making it hard to keep clean. The tile colors looked dated.
The small raised threshold on a very narrow shower opening was a tripping hazard.
AFTER: The new no-threshold shower with non-skid 12 X 24 matte tiles is both beautiful and safe. A pocket door to the toilet room eliminates obstacles at entry.
AFTER: Safety and Beauty Meld: Multiple grab bars for added safety • Large bench seat • Towel hooks inside the shower’s dry zone • Multi-function shower heads and body sprays • Hand-held sprayer has hose that can reach the bench for added safety while bathing • Linear shower drain creates an obstacle free shower surface • Natural and task lighting • Wider opening and no threshold makes shower more accessible
Close up of all the shower features including built-in niche for storing soaps and shampoos. Niche is specifically installed at a height reachable while standing or sitting on an accessibility device. Hand-held shower spray has extra long hose to reach the bench seating.
AFTER: New shower has plenty of light, but also an unobstructed view of the whole bathroom.
AFTER: Close up of toilet room (with pocket door for ease of access) and linen closet.
The linen closet is larger than the former one and has been outfitted with an automatic ceiling light when the door is opened.
BEFORE: The former bathroom had a vanity outside the bathroom door. This space was unused.
AFTER: We have replaced it with a wall of storage, a more practical use of the space with a bench seat for assistance in this dressing area part of the bathroom space.
AFTER: The Details Matter
The 24 X 10 medicine cabinet mirror has a touch feature to adjust the mirror’s lighting.
The four-bulb pendant light in brushed satin nickel matches the cabinet and door hardware.
The new bathroom French doors have beautiful frosted glass and satin nickel hardware. The frame is fitting with a motion sensor that trips the vanity toe-kick light at night.
DURING: During photos reveal the meticulous work behind a beautiful finished product
Demo nearly complete
Before toilet room was too narrow, so we reframed the area to create more space
Framing the toilet room and space for new tub
Framing the toilet room doorway for a pocket door for greater space
Editing the shower subflooring to create a curb-less threshold
Manipulating the plumbing within the floor joists without disturbing the ceiling below
Client’s needs for her new bathroom were met:
- Safer bathroom so that she can age-in-place
- More attractive, neutral palette, bathroom finishes
- More modern features like the motion sensor lighting, lighted medicine cabinets and multi-function plumbing fixtures
Award Winning Remodelers in Northern Virginia – Bowers Design Build has specialized in providing the best overall experience in the remodeling industry since 1990. Bowers Design Build specializes in Northern Virginia Remodeling and Northern Virginia Custom Homes. Our numerous industry remodeling awards have been great, but the true measure of our success has been high marks in overall customer satisfaction
Service areas: McLean, Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Oakton, Great Falls, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Middleburg.
Specializing in: Northern Virginia New Custom Homes, Northern Virginia Whole House Renovations, Northern Virginia Kitchen Renovations, Northern Virginia Master Bathroom Renovations, Northern Virginia Interior Renovations, Northern Virginia Basement Renovations, Renovations for Aging-in-Place and Northern Virginia Outdoor Living Spaces.
