Accessible Bathing Solutions Guide

Studies estimate that around 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, making bathing comfort an essential consideration. Many disabled individuals experience pain when out of their wheelchairs, which can lead to reduced mobility and difficulty getting in and out of a bathtub or shower.

At Essential Bathrooms Limited, we understand the diverse needs of our customers and are committed to ensuring you feel safe, secure, and comfortable in your bathroom. We take every detail into account, from selecting the right wet room tray to incorporating shower seats, grab rails, and other essential features.

Adapting your bathroom to be more wheelchair-friendly can seem challenging, and deciding on the best solution may feel overwhelming. However, accessibility is about more than just ease of entry—it’s about creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable bathing experience.

Below are some key factors to consider when planning or designing a wet room for a wheelchair user:

Choosing The Correct Wet Floor Former Tray

Here are examples of the three wet room trays suitable for a VINYL floor finish and use with wheelchair showering from leading manufacturers AKW, Impey & Contour.

1. The AKW Tuff Form Wet Floor Former:

The AKW Tuff Form wet room and walk-in shower tray is a durable yet lightweight floor former, designed for wheelchair-accessible showering. It supports both vinyl and tiled flooring, making it a versatile option for accessible showers, family wet rooms, or shared-use spaces. With tens of thousands of installations worldwide, and over 9 size options available, it’s a trusted and widely used solution. See the collection HERE

2. Impey Level Dec Easy Fit Wet Floor Former:

The Impey Level Dec Easy Fit is a highly durable and rigid wet room tray, designed for exceptional strength. Featuring a built-in gradient for efficient drainage, it eliminates the need for underboarding and can support loads of over 300kg (47 stone) when installed directly onto standard floor joists. Ideal for VINYL flooring, it is also perfect for wheelchair-accessible showering. This wet floor former is also available in a wide range of sizes, see the collection HERE

3. Contour ShowerDec Wet Floor Former:

The ShowerDec from Contour is a highly durable wet room and walk-in shower former tray, designed for both tiled and vinyl floor finishes. It can be seamlessly installed on wooden or concrete subfloors, making it ideal for level-access wet rooms and shower spaces. Engineered to support wheelchairs and similar mobility aids without requiring additional under-support, the ShowerDec has been rigorously tested to withstand an impressive load of 635 kg (100 stone) across its entire surface. See the collection HERE

Choosing a shower chair:

A shower chair provides both convenience and enhanced independence, offering a comfortable place to sit while bathing—especially beneficial for individuals with reduced mobility. Below are three wet room shower seats designed specifically for mobility-friendly wet rooms.

Browse AKW Shower Chairs:

Grab Rails & Support Bars

A grab rail offers essential support while showering, improving safety and stability. With a variety of materials, styles, and sizes available, you can choose from practical plastic fluted grab rails to sleek, modern stainless steel designs.

Browse our wide range of AKW, Inda, and Pressalit Care grab rails in our extensive collection HERE.