How to Plan for an Accessible Bathroom | Dallmer

Dallmer, a company that develops innovative sanitary technology to enhance drainage performance, reliability, and design in contemporary architecture, presents this guide to outline key design considerations for barrier-free bathrooms.

A barrier-free bathroom plays a crucial role in supporting personal mobility and independent living. In countries such as Scandinavia and the Netherlands, the construction of accessible buildings has long been an established practice, grounded in clear planning, construction, and furnishing strategies. With a broader approach, designers can respond to a wide range of physical abilities, ensuring that residential, commercial, and public spaces address diverse user needs with care and precision.

As populations age and the number of people with limited mobility continues to grow, the demand for barrier-free homes is expected to increase accordingly. Accessibility follows the same trend, becoming no longer a niche requirement but a fundamental aspect of comfort, habitability, and long-term architectural quality.

The following points can guide designers in the general considerations for planning an accessible, barrier-free bathroom.

CeraFloor Shower Channels

1. Design for independence without sacrificing architectural quality

The arrangement of the bathroom should support users with reduced mobility, strength, or vision, enabling them to move through their environment as independently as possible. Accessible design enables users to use the shower and toilet without assistance, directly affecting their privacy, autonomy, and overall quality of life.

Barrier-free design does not imply a loss of comfort, domestic character, or architectural quality. Contemporary hospitality projects, where current building standards are often applied more consistently than in private homes, demonstrate how generous layouts, thoughtful planning, and carefully selected furnishings can create accessible bathrooms that combine architectural clarity with a warm, inviting atmosphere.

CeraWall Shower Channels

2. Use space and clearance as the foundation for barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible design

Barrier-free design is not synonymous with wheelchair accessibility. A barrier-free bathroom must provide a minimum clear floor area of 120 × 120 cm in front of the WC, washbasin, bathtub, or shower, with these areas remaining unobstructed and non-overlapping. Doorways must allow a minimum clear width of 80 cm. In contrast, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms require larger manoeuvring spaces of 150 × 150 cm and door clearances of 90 cm, allowing users to turn and move freely.

Adequate space is the primary condition for independent and safe use. In particular, wheelchair users depend on sufficient clearance to manoeuvre comfortably, while generous layouts also reduce the risk of falls or injuries and provide carers or assistants with greater freedom of movement when required.

Accessibility considerations should also extend beyond mobility. Measures such as high-contrast colour schemes can significantly improve orientation for users with visual impairments. While minimum dimensions are defined in regulations, the precise planning of each bathroom must respond to on-site conditions, including available floor space and the intended spatial configuration.

Sample layout of a barrier-free bathroom	Sample layout of a wheelchair-accessible bathroom

3. Plan level-access showers to meet full barrier-free requirements

Many senior users prefer showers over bathtubs, as level-access showers are easier and safer to use. Without steps or raised edges, they allow comfortable access for people using walkers or wheelchairs. However, it is important to note that not every level-access shower automatically meets barrier-free requirements. In addition to dimensional criteria, several design factors must be considered:

• The floor should provide slip resistance
• The transition between the bathroom floor and the shower area should be flush and free of protruding edges wherever possible
• The wall structure should be sufficiently reinforced to allow for the installation of shower seats or grab bars, supporting adaptability over time

Fittings also play a key role in usability and safety:

• Single-lever mixers or contact-free fittings are easier to operate, particularly for users with limited strength or dexterity. Levers should be oriented downward to reduce the risk of injury
• Contact-free systems should include temperature limiters to prevent scalding
• In wheelchair-accessible showers, fittings should be installed at a height of approximately 85 cm above the floor to ensure they remain within easy reach from a seated position

Zentrix Shower Channels

4. Plan a reliable slope for level-access showers

The shower area must be designed with a slight slope to ensure proper drainage of the water. The required slope depends on the position of the drain and the floor surface. A centrally placed point drainage is recommended for wheelchair-accessible showers.

• Slopes for low-floor structures
  • Although modern drain bodies are considerably flatter than earlier models, available floor constructions do not always provide sufficient depth to accommodate the slope required for a level-access shower. This challenge is particularly common in renovation projects involving older buildings. In such cases, drainage systems equipped with a pump offer a practical solution, as they are capable of transporting wastewater through pipes installed above the level of the drain.
• Slopes in the door area
  • As a general rule, the slope should direct water toward the drain and away from the door, ensuring that moisture from waterproofed zones does not enter non-waterproofed areas. Depending on the expected water load, additional measures (such as a raised threshold of approximately 1 cm or a drainage channel in the doorway) may be required. In private residential bathrooms, however, such interventions are often unnecessary.
• According to the standard DIN 18534-1, the waterproofing must also be extended up the
  reveal and be laid behind the frame. However, how the waterproofing is executed in the area of the door will always depend on the location of the door, the slope of the shower area and whether there is a shower enclosure.

Dallmer's Shower Channels
CeraFloor Select & CeraFloor Pure		CeraFloor Individual

CeraWall Select & CeraWall Pure	CeraWall Individual	Zentrix, CeraNiveau & CeraFrame Individual

5. Install wheelchair-accessible washbasins

Flush-mounted and space-saving traps require significantly less space than conventional solutions, allowing sufficient leg clearance beneath the washbasin for wheelchair users. This additional clearance also benefits users who prefer to remain seated while washing.

• Space-saver traps reduce the risk of injury from impact or accidental scalding, while appropriately selected fittings further support barrier-free use
• Single-lever mixers and contact-free fittings are recommended not only at the washbasin but also in the shower, as they are easier to operate and improve overall safety
• Accessibility is further enhanced by positioning storage shelves within easy reach and installing mirrors at lower heights, ensuring they can be comfortably used from a seated position

Concealed traps for washbasins, ideal for vanity units and wheelchair-accessible installations in barrier-free bathrooms

6. Design WC areas that enable safe sitting, standing, and side transfer

According to DIN 18040, a WC height of 46 to 48 cm significantly facilitates comfortable and pain-free sitting and standing. In households with multiple users, investing in a height-adjustable WC can further improve usability and long-term flexibility.

It is also important to provide adequate lateral clearance from adjacent walls or sanitary fixtures. For wheelchair users, this includes a minimum clearance of 20 cm, with 90 cm of free space on one side and 30 cm on the other to allow safe side transfer. The integration of drop-down grab bars on the accessible side provides additional support, enhancing stability and ease of use.

Seat height to aid easy, pain-free standing and sitting

7. Take into account the recommended dimensions according to local regulations

The standard DIN 18040 provides a framework for the planning, dimensioning and construction of accessible buildings. Its objective is to enable people of all abilities to move independently and participate fully in everyday life, without unnecessary barriers or reliance on assistance. By establishing clear accessibility requirements, DIN 18040 supports the equitable use of existing infrastructure. While the standard is specific to Germany, it serves as a valuable reference for accessible bathroom design in other contexts.

Explore Dallmer's product catalog, visit their website or download the supplementary PDF file.