03.07.2025 | A bathroom for life

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Comfort in everyday life: Accessible bathrooms do not just benefit older and disabled people. Washing area, toilet, and shower are above all comfortable and convenient in use. (Image source: Duravit AG)

Today’s wisely planned, comfortable bathroom is tomorrow’s age-appropriate or even accessible bathroom. Comfort, flexibility, and safety can go hand in hand with sophisticated design and a welcoming atmosphere.
It therefore always makes sense to think of the future during any bathroom renovation. This is due to increasing numbers of people who would like to continue living autonomously in their home as they grow older – or if they become disabled. Surveys* suggest that the bathroom may even be the most important room in the home when it comes to features appropriate for older or disabled people.


Between necessity and free expression: accessible bathroom features

Guidelines that prescribe how an accessible bathroom has to be designed exist in many countries. For example, in Germany DIN 18040 needs to be complied with for a bathroom in a public building to attract funding and be deemed accessible. The main requirement is sufficient space to move freely or maneuver a walking frame or wheelchair. It is also important to remove or reduce heights of thresholds and access points. Showers that are flush with the floor are crucial, for instance the Sustano and Tempano ranges from Duravit. An accessible bathroom should be wheelchair-accessible beneath the washbasins, as is the case for instance with models Duravit D-Code Vital, DuraStyle Vital, or Starck 3 Vital. Contactless faucets such as Sensor 1 from Duravit additionally make everyday life easier. Toilets with a raised sitting position and a projection of 700 mm enhance the quality of life for people with limited mobility.
Other essential elements for an accessible bathroom are grab and support rails and a non-slip floor covering. Doors should be wide enough and open outward – especially for wheelchair users. Bright lighting makes it easier to find one’s way around.


Comfort that grows with you – multi-generational planning

However, relying on standards to manage this complex topic is not enough. Future-oriented planning based on an individual needs assessment is useful here. A multi-generational bathroom with accessible elements can also be adapted to users’ needs in later phases of life. It is designed to be welcoming and aesthetically appealing – a feel-good space that integrates accessible access as discreetly as possible. As a complete bathroom manufacturer, Duravit offers a range of design products that enable both inclusive and attractive bathroom design.


Universal design: when beauty knows no bounds

The principle of “universal design is geared toward the same approach: rooms should be designed to be accessible for everyone while still being aesthetically appealing – for greater inclusion and quality of life. Duravit offers a comprehensive product range that intelligently combines function, form, and emotional impact to support planners, architects, and private developers. After all, a beautiful bathroom knows no barriers.

*According to a representative study conducted by the German Sanitary Industry Association (Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitärwirtschaft, VDS) in conjunction with the Forsa Institute, 95 percent of respondents consider age-appropriate bathroom design to be important or very important in enabling autonomous living for older people. The fact that 66 percent consider such features to be “very important”, with even 60 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds agreeing with this opinion, deserves special mention. (Source: Trends, Talks and new products - Accessible bathroom Campaign)