What is Inclusive Design?

Retailers have long been asking Ideal Bathrooms about Inclusive Design products; a fashionable concept that is often talked about within the industry. However, the UK ’s number one bathroom distributor believes that Inclusive Design is only just beginning to make its way onto the high street.

Danielle Lillis, Commercial Director observes, “If you ask what Inclusive Design is you will get a different answer from everyone you talk to, most will include the words Special Needs or Less Able which is really only half the story. Inclusive Design is simply a term used for products that are suitable for many different types of people and this could mean children, the elderly, less able, people with special needs or anyone wanting to make life a little easier. Inclusive Design products are versatile, safe and well designed - they not only look good but work well for different people and it is all about choosing the right products to suit the particular needs of the client.

Designing a bathroom should not just be about where the client is now in their life and should not only be for them. Think about the future, will the bathroom be used by any children or elderly people in the next few years? Is the client going to be selling the house within the next 10 years? The probability is that the bathroom is going to be used by a variety of people within its lifespan and it should be designed with products that are suitable for all. Everyone selling, installing them and specifying bathrooms should be considering Inclusive Design in all bathroom decisions particularly those designing or specifying bathrooms for multi users for example in hotels, housing association, rental properties and holiday homes.”

Surprisingly, many of Ideal Bathrooms core range products could be used in an inclusive designed bathroom. The examples are endless; however here is a few that show just how easily your bathroom can incorporate the virtues of inclusive design:

Walk in showers and low level shower trays – these super stylish products not only look great, but importantly remove unnecessary obstacles whilst giving easy access to the shower area, which is beneficial to everyone.

A lever operated thermostatic bath/shower mixer which is easy to manoeuvre, reduces the risk of scalding and is beneficial for anyone including parents with small children, the elderly or those just having a bad day - and a sliding shower rail can be adjusted to the height of whoever is using it. Ideal Bathrooms stocks thermostatic bath/shower mixers and sliding rail kits from the top shower brands including Mira, Trevi and Grohe.

Seats in the shower are not just for the infirm. Most people would find a seat in their shower helpful at times. Sitting under a constant stream of hot water can be incredibly relaxing after a tough day in the office and are excellent for getting younger children used to the benefits of taking a shower.

Lower level baths improve access for all and stooping over the bath to bathe the children becomes much less arduous. Wall hung W.C.’s and basins help to increase manoeuvrability in smaller spaces and hygiene is much improved due to them being easier to clean; plus the height of the W.C. can be set to suit the users. The beauty and practicality of Wall Hung is so much more achievable in the ordinary home and no longer belongs to the elite.

Handy accessories such as sturdy chrome grab bars are also becoming increasingly popular, whilst an attractive looking soap dispenser resolves the problem of losing the soap.

Danielle comments, “Our aim at Ideal Bathrooms is to ensure we have in stock the top brands and have all the right products for our retailers to sell, whilst providing the best delivery and customer services that we possibly can for all our patrons, whether they are purchasing inclusive design products, luxury high end goods or even the most basic of bathroom items – customer service is key to our business and is something that we pride ourselves on.”

For further information: www.idealbathrooms.com

BACK TO HOME PAGE