Walk-in baths, Accessibility and Inclusivity

When you think of a walk in bath, what’s the first thing that springs to mind? For many, it’s newfound independence, being able to enjoy life’s little luxuries and the ability to receive support which doesn’t inconvenience the caregiver. However, others may associate walk in baths with chunky pieces of bath furniture that cause an eye sore in their carefully designed bathroom.

At JT Spas, we’re specialists in luxury bathroom furniture. And we’re here to talk about accessibility, inclusivity and just why walk-in baths promote both.

A history of walk-in baths

When Arthur E Fowler and Jr Albert Dressler first had the walk-in bath patented in 1946, understandably, they focused mainly on the mechanism over design. To some people, being able to regain an element of their life was such an incredible feeling, that it didn’t really matter what the bath looked like. However, over time, where social media has come in to play and interest in home interiors has rocketed, the overall look and feel of a walk-in bath and what it does to your bathroom is just as important as ever.

But because of the historic practical, but not pretty walk in bath designs, people tend to instantly associate them with furniture that will likely ruin the overall aesthetic of their bathroom. But how wrong these people are!

Walk in baths in 2021

In 2021, walk-in baths are so much more than helpful pieces of bathroom furniture that aid accessibility and inclusivity.

Thanks to modern designers, walk-in baths are now not only designed to blend into your bathroom, but also to stand out and act as a centrepiece. A combination of popular colours, stylish materials and chic designs means that worrying about bathroom aesthetics is no more.

As well as design, walk in baths also come with a range of added luxury features that not even standard baths come with. Such features include hydrotherapy options like air bubbles and water jets and underwater LED lighting. Opting for a walk-in bath has never felt more rewarding.

These features, along with the improved design, make walk in baths much more attractive to people without accessibility issues too.

The Calypso Right Hand Walk In Shower Bath from JT Spas

So why has the transformation of walk-in baths helped accessibility and inclusivity go hand in hand?

Thanks to modern design and improved features, there are no huge barriers in the way of opting for a walk in bath anymore. If you’re living with family at home, but require some physical assistance, you can opt for a walk-in bath that not only fits into the standard family bathroom, but also provides added benefits for other members of the family which, in essence, actually out-do normal baths!

Likewise, if you work in a facility where multiple residents would benefit from a walk-in bath, and are looking for a design that fits in with the interior of the building, you have plenty of options to keep things on budget, on brand and also to provide a better quality of life for those who require use of the bath.

The transformation of walk-in baths as a whole, in terms of design and functionality has skyrocketed levels of accessibility and inclusivity across the world - for those less abled and their families.

If you’re worried about selling a house with a walk-in bath installed, did you know that just 7% of UK houses meet basic accessibility features? There’s a huge demand for accessible homes to help disabled people live independent lives, so you may get a pleasant surprise when you come to sell.

And with the ease of opting for other items that aid inclusivity and promote independence, such as grab rails and wet rooms, accessible living has never been easier to achieve.

Walk-in baths and the logistics

Another common misconception about walk in baths is that they’re difficult to install, but this isn’t true! A walk-in bath will be installed in the same way as a normal bathtub and it shouldn’t even be a worry for you if you’re getting a plumber/bathroom fitter to install your bath for you.

There may be an added installation requirement if your walk in bath has a lift. This is because it has an added electrical supply to power the lift. However, the manufacturer of your chosen bath will assemble the lift for you, leaving your plumber/bathroom fitter with the simple task of making the necessary connections.

Thinking of the future of your home 

If you’ve been inspired by the transformation of the walk in bath and are considering making an investment for your home or facility, take a look at our wide range of baths which come in multiple styles, shapes and sizes.

We’re experts in luxury bathroom furniture and we’d be thrilled to help you find the right bath to suit your bathroom.