Up for Grabs: Stylish, Practical Ideas for Bathroom Safety Bars

Bathroom safety bars are something most of us don’t think about adding to our homes when we’re picking out all the beautiful finishes to make them look exactly the way we want. In fact, if you’re like most people, the thought of bathroom safety bars makes you inwardly cringe and think of institutional environments like hospitals and convalescent homes: they’re a product of unfortunate necessity.

Image Courtesy of American Standard

Luckily, though, not all bathroom safety bars are created equal.

American Standard recently introduced their Invisia™ Collection of dual-purpose support bars. Integrated into the design of products such as towel bars (pictured), toilet roll holders and soap dishes, these safety bars are modern and aesthetically pleasing: they don’t even look like safety bars. Available in either a polished chrome or satin nickel finish, these structurally-mounted products will make your bathroom safer and more beautiful.

But what if you have an immediate, temporary need for safety bars?

Surprise! You tripped over the dog and broke your ankle, and learned the hard way that it’s not easy to get in and out of the shower with a cast. You’re not ready for permanent bathroom safety bars (no matter how lovely you think the Invisia Collection is) but it’s obvious that you do need something.

Image Courtesy of No Drilling Required

The great thing about the No Drilling Required safety bars from German manufacturer Nie Wieder Bohren (which, in case your German is a bit rusty, literally translates to “no more drilling”) is that you can install these ADA compliant grab bars that support up to 250 lbs. without – you guessed it – any drilling. Their patented installation process allows you to place their attractive safety bars (as well as other bathroom accessories) on natural stone, tile, glass, metal, wood and some plastics, affording you simple, non-damaging installation of bars produced in a wide range of finishes (pictured, right). When that ankle is all healed, an equally simple removal method returns your surface to its previous state. Of course, you still have the dog, so maybe removing those grab bars isn’t such a great idea…

Don’t forget: if you’re in the Seattle area and are planning to remodel a bathroom to be stylishly accessible for aging family members or for someone with limited mobility, please contact us. We can give you more information on these products, as well as help you with a bathroom design that’s right for you.