Your bathroom should be the most relaxing room in the house. For a lot of homeowners, though, it's the room that feels the most dated, and sometimes the least safe.
That's why two projects keep coming up at our showroom in Peterborough, Ontario: walk-in shower renovations and aging-in-place bathroom renovations. Homeowners across Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes want a modern, spa-like bathroom, and many are also planning ahead so they can stay in the home they love for years to come. The good news is that one well-designed bathroom renovation can do both.
Walk-in shower renovations: why Peterborough homeowners love them
A walk-in shower replaces the old tub-and-curtain combination with an open, tiled space and clean glass. It's one of the biggest visual upgrades you can make to a bathroom, and it's practical too.
• It makes the room feel bigger. Frameless glass lets light pass through, so even a small bathroom feels open.
• It's easier to clean. No curtain to wash, fewer corners, and large-format tile means fewer grout lines.
• It's easier to get into. No high tub wall to step over, which matters more every year.
• It feels like a spa. Add a rain head, a handheld wand and a built-in bench, and your daily shower becomes the best part of your morning.
Walk-in shower design ideas
• Glass: fully frameless for a clean, high-end look, or a fixed glass panel with an open entry.
• Tile: large porcelain slabs, natural stone looks, or a feature wall with a pattern or texture.
• Shower base: a tiled base that matches the floor, or a solid marble or stone base for a seamless finish.
• Fixtures: rain heads, handheld sprays, thermostatic valves that keep the water temperature steady, and body jets.
• Storage: built-in niches for shampoo and soap, so there's no clutter on the floor.
Aging in place reno, a bathroom that grows with you:
Most people would rather stay in their own home as they get older, and the bathroom is usually the first room that makes that harder. An aging-in-place renovation plans for the future now, before an injury or a sudden change forces a rushed decision.
The features that make the biggest difference:
• Curbless or low-threshold showers. You walk straight in, with no ledge to trip over. It also works for a walker or wheelchair later on.
• Grab bars that don't look like grab bars. Today's designs double as towel bars, shelves or toilet paper holders, in finishes that match your faucets.
• A built-in shower bench. A safe place to sit, shave or simply relax.
• Handheld shower heads on a slide bar. Easy to use whether you're sitting or standing, and set at the right height for everyone in the house.
• Slip-resistant tile. Smaller tiles and textured finishes give your feet more grip when they're wet.
• Comfort-height toilets. A few extra inches make sitting down and standing up much easier on the knees.
• Lever handles and good lighting. Levers are easier on stiff hands than knobs, and bright, even lighting, including a night light, helps prevent falls.
• Wider doorways and a bit more floor space. Room to turn around comfortably, now and down the road.
If you're renovating anyway, adding solid backing inside the walls is a smart move. It means grab bars can go up anywhere, any time, without opening the wall again.
Accessible bathroom design doesn't have to look clinical
The biggest myth about aging-in-place design is that it has to look like a hospital. It doesn't. A curbless walk-in shower with frameless glass, beautiful tile and a built-in bench is exactly what people want in a luxury bathroom anyway. The safety features simply blend in.
That's why walk-in showers and aging-in-place design go so well together. You get a modern, spa-like bathroom today, and a space that will still work for you in 10 or 20 years.
Tips before you start your bathroom renovation
1. Think about the next 10 years, not just today. It's much easier and less expensive to plan for future needs now than to renovate twice.
2. Choose one experienced team. Curbless showers need proper floor slope and waterproofing. This is not the place to cut corners.
3. See and touch the materials. Tile texture, glass and fixtures look very different in person than online.
4. Ask about funding. Accessibility renovations may qualify for tax credits or government programs, so check what's currently available before you begin.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a walk-in shower renovation take?
Most walk-in shower and bathroom renovations take a few weeks from demolition to final walkthrough, depending on the size of the space and the materials chosen. We'll give you a clear timeline during your design consultation.
Can my tub be converted into a walk-in shower? Yes. Tub-to-shower conversions are one of the most popular bathroom renovations we do in Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes. In most bathrooms, the shower can go right where the tub used to be.
What is a curbless shower? A curbless shower has no ledge or step at the entrance. The floor slopes gently to the drain, so you walk straight in. It's the safest option for aging in place and gives the bathroom a clean, modern look.
Is an aging-in-place renovation only for seniors? Not at all. Walk-in showers, grab bars, good lighting and slip-resistant floors make bathrooms safer for everyone, from young kids to visiting parents to anyone recovering from an injury.
Do you renovate bathrooms outside Peterborough? Yes. Anden Kitchen and Bath Centre serves homeowners throughout Peterborough, the Kawartha Lakes and surrounding communities.
Let's design your bathroom together
For more than 35 years, Anden Kitchen and Bath Centre has helped homeowners in Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes create bathrooms that are as safe as they are beautiful. From the initial consultation and custom design to expert installation, our team takes care of every step of your bathroom renovation, so you don't have to lift a finger.
Visit our new showroom at 686 Crown Drive in Peterborough to see walk-in shower displays, frameless glass, premium shower systems, high-end vanities and hundreds of tile options in person. Or book a design consultation, and we'll help you plan a bathroom you'll love today and for years to come.
Your dream space starts here.