When you hit retirement, the last thing you want to think about is having to renovate your home. But it can make life a lot easier down the track. Whether you are planning to completely revamp your current bathroom, or you want some ideas for simple changes to make your space a lot more comfortable, here are some of our best suggestions: 

Full Renovation

No sharp edges: some bathroom basins and vanities have sharp corners that are purely there for decoration – which could become more of a hindrance than anything else as you age. Consider round edges instead to lessen the chance of bruising should you accidentally walk into the edge. 

Easy access: bathrooms are renowned for being the one space in the house that never has enough room – and as you get older, the need for more space may be essential. If you have a walking frame, you want to make sure there is plenty of space for you to move around, turn the frame and even sit down. Larger door frames may be necessary or include smaller amenities so there is more floor space. 

Walk-in shower: if you need to step up or down to get into the shower, this can play havoc on your knees – and it could even lead to falls if you forget the floor levels aren’t even. When renovating, make sure you level out the floor space so that you can walk safely into the shower. 

Higher toilet: Again, your knees play a huge role in your health as you age. In fact, in 2017-18 the number of knee replacement surgeries in Australia saw a 38% increase compared to 2005-06. Crouching too close to the floor when sitting on the toilet can be extremely painful, not only as you stand up, but also when you try to walk afterwards. By ensuring your toilet is higher, you’ll lessen the impact. 

Simple Replacements 

If you don’t want to knock anything out, the following could simply be added to your bathroom to make life easier: 

Depending on your health problems, you may also want to consider whether your home renovation is NDIS approved. This will allow you to get support from the Government’s scheme to help you pay for the modifications. 

How Crystal Bathrooms Can Help 

Having the right equipment and accessories in a bathroom does not only help with day-to-day grooming, but also give you more confidence. Don’t be afraid to admit when it’s time to make a change – it’ll be of great benefit to your health and mental wellbeing. 

If you’re looking for assistance with bathroom renovations in Sydney, the bathroom designers at Crystal Bathrooms are on hand to assist, starting with the right advice. We can come and look at your bathroom as it currently stands. Then we’ll give you great ideas on how we think it could be designed to make life more efficient for you. Get in touch today.

Living life with a disability can raise different challenges. A non-accessible bathroom can have devastating effects on the quality of life of those with disabilities. Even in the cases of bathrooms designed to help users experience, they often feel clinical and medical, which is not something you want in your home. Designing an accessible bathroom renovation can dramatically increase the quality of life at home by offering a solution that is fitted to the needs of the user.

Designing accessible bathrooms do not only benefit those that need extra help, but they are also a legal requirement if you own a public or commercial property. The exact standards you have to comply with when you are installing an accessible bathroom in a commercial property may vary depending on several criteria, so be sure to consult with a bathroom specialist.

What to Consider When Designing Your Disabled Bathroom Renovation

Every disability is unique and therefore the accessible bathroom solution should also be unique. The type of design changes, considerations, and adaptations required will vary from person to person and bathroom to bathroom. When considering the options, it’s also important to take into account any building code standards. As a registered and qualified bathroom supplier Crystal Bathrooms can advise you on the best way to incorporate these adaptations in a stylish manner while remaining compliant with all the relevant building codes.

Fixtures and Toilets

Ensuring fixtures, fittings, and toilets are at the right height and easily accessible is one of the most important things to get right. Sinks and surfaces should be at an appropriate height to allow easy access without straining and maintain enough space for wheelchair usage. Accessible toilets are usually suspended, with an ergonomic seat design, and if required a tilting mechanism to make getting on and off easier.

Bathing and Showering

Adaptive baths and showers come in many shapes and forms. The biggest difference is that they are generally bigger to allow more space for adaptations such as shower chairs, grab rails, and maneuvering around. Higher baths can cause several issues such as climbing in and out for those with impaired movement. In these cases, walk-in, seated options or low-level designs may be considered.

Getting Around

One thing all accessible bathrooms have in common is that they are designed with ample free space and accessible openings to allow ease of access and maneuverability. Keeping storage solutions to a minimum, installing sliding doors, and other adaptations such as slim-line radiators can free up valuable space in your bathroom renovation to make getting around easier.

Why You Need to Work with a Registered NDIS Provider

NDIS is the Australia wide, national scheme to help people with disabilities get the help and support they need. Working through the NDIS scheme with a registered and approved NDIS provider, you may be entitled to help and support for your accessible bathroom renovation. An assessment will be carried out to determine the needs and requirements that can be fulfilled under the scheme. Working with an NDIS registered provider not only ensures that you are eligible for all the support you may be entitled to, but also guarantees that the renovation is designed and installed to meet all the relevant regulations, rules, and building codes, preventing unwanted surprises further down the line.

Accessible Bathroom Renovations with Crystal Bathrooms

Crystal Bathrooms offer premium quality bathroom renovations to properties and businesses throughout the Sydney area. We understand the problems caused by non-accessible bathroom solutions to those that need them. Therefore, we work closely with our customers, working to the latest industry standards, to design your bathrooms based on your specific needs. We are registered as an NDIS provider and only use the finest quality materials to make your bathroom renovations stand out in quality, durability, and style.

The importance of clean and germ-free commercial and working environments has been of much greater focus over the past year. In a bid to reduce the transmission of germs and viruses, we have all been doubling our efforts to regularly wash our hands and keep our working environments clean.

There has been a lot of advances in recent years, with new materials and technologies being developed that make keeping commercial bathrooms cleaner and easier than ever before. With the increased focus on keeping germs at bay, there has never been a better time to consider incorporating these advances into your commercial bathroom with a bathroom renovation.

Why Touch-free Is Becoming Such a Big Importance in Public Areas

Keeping public areas, and especially bathrooms, clean has always been a priority, but over the past year with the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping any area with high traffic and risk of people mixing clean and free from germs, bacteria, and viruses has become an even greater focus. Cleaning can only go so far in the reduction of the spread of viruses—it’s impossible to thoroughly clean and disinfect high-traffic surfaces in bathrooms after every user. To best control the spread, we need to reduce the amount of contact in combination with regular cleaning, and that’s where touch-free technologies come in.

Ways You Can Improve a Bathroom to Become Touch-free

There are several different ways in which you can incorporate touch-free technologies into your new commercial bathroom renovation. Understanding the technologies that are on offer is the first step in making an informed decision about which options are right for you, and which options may be best suited to your company. With a variety of options on this technology, Crystal Bathrooms designers are here to assist you in making the right choice.

Taps

Taps are one of the most obvious areas for contamination in the bathroom. With the increased focus on hand-washing, the taps in the bathroom are being used more than ever as people come solely to wash their hands. Touch-free sensors on both the taps and soap dispensers make sure there is as minimal contact as necessary, preventing the spread of germs when both turning the taps on and off.

Toilets

After using the toilet, it needs to be flushed which offers a great opportunity for bacteria to spread from our hands to the flushing mechanism. Touch-free sensors can either detect when somebody stands up from the toilet or operate by a wave of the hand, preventing any surface contact before hand-washing. 

Hand-drying

While hand-dryers are generally only used after people’s hands have been washed, they still shouldn’t be overlooked as a receptor for germs and bacteria. Even when used with entirely clean hands, the constant presence of moisture can act as a breeding ground for new bacteria. Modern hand-drier designs are touch-free and are designed in such a way as to disperse the moisture effective to prevent build-up.

Lighting

Light switches can be a breeding ground for germs just like any other fixture, but they are often something most people overlook compared to the toilets, taps, and hand-drying facilities. Removing the need for light switches with motion sensors both negates the need for contact and helps to save energy by automatically turning the lights off when nobody is present.

Importance of Easy to Clean Spaces

Touch-free technology can only go so far to keeping a commercial bathroom clean and germ-free. The nature of a bathroom means that even when all the latest technological advancements have been added, it is still a breeding ground for germs and bacteria if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Research shows that the bathroom doors are often just as contaminated with viruses and fecal matter as the taps and areas surrounding the toilet. Designing your bathroom renovation as an easy to clean space is just as important, if not more so, than incorporating touch-free technology.

Metal finishes are best as they are easy to wipe down and don’t have the crevices and grouting that tiling does, allowing space for bacteria to collect and grow. 

An easy clean bathroom space doesn’t have to rule out tiling completely, though. The big problem with tiling is the grouting between the tiles which is traditionally a porous material allowing bacteria and germs to get beneath the surface. Epoxy resin grouting solves this problem by mixing a hard finishing, durable, and waterproof resin into the grouting, sealing it and preventing the bacteria from getting beneath the surface. It is also better suited for use with harsher cleaning chemicals without affecting the finish.

Touch-free with Crystal Bathrooms

Crystal Bathrooms are the premier provider of stylish, modern, high-quality commercial bathrooms and renovations in Sydney. We believe that style and function can be perfectly blended into an ideal bathroom solution that makes your property stand-out. Our team of designers and engineers work closely with the best suppliers to offer you a simple, easy, and stylish touch-free bathroom renovation. When you choose Crystal Bathrooms for your commercial bathroom, you can be guaranteed to get the highest quality bathroom products that are easy to clean and maintain.

A sudden illness or disability is life-changing, and often, people require modifications to their home for it to serve them properly. Home is where the heart is, and if it doesn’t serve your needs, then changers are necessary, especially in the bathroom. 

What Is A Registered NDIS Provider? 

The NDIS (Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme) offers financial support to the people, under 65, who live with a disability. With over four million Australians living with some type of disability, the purpose of this scheme is to provide support, both health and housing, and improve community service access. One of the key offerings is the home modification assistance they provide. However, to get the best of the bathroom renovation process you should always choose a Registered NDIS Provider. This is simply a supplier, such as Crystal Bathrooms, which has been approved by the scheme to carry out the work for which you have received funds.  

You may be entitled to NDIS assistance for your bathroom renovation if you: 

Why Work With A Registered NDIS Provider? 

If you require a bathroom renovation for modifications due to disabilities, then a Registered NDIS Provider is a must. Before your support is approved, you will need to complete an HM assessment to provide evidence to show that the modifications are necessary. You will also have to give the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) permission to discuss potential modifications with your chosen Registered NDIS provider. Once you have secured the support, you have to work with a Registered NDIS Provider to use that support. 

Whether you have experienced a sudden illness, injury, or you have a long-term impairment, you will likely require a bathroom renovation. There is a range of options available to you when carrying out a bathroom renovation to modify the room for your unique needs, including: 

While you must choose a Registered NDIS provider it is also beneficial. As a Registered NDIS Provider, Crystal Bathrooms is uniquely equipped to undertake your project and ensure your bathroom renovation ticks all of the boxes. As an experienced company, we are well versed in the Building Codes and Australian Standards. 

How Crystal Bathrooms Can Help 

We can help you design, renovate, construct, and install a bathroom renovation that provides you with the assistance you need. Accessibility is an important factor in every area of life, but the bathroom is perhaps one of the most crucial areas. 

At Crystal Bathrooms, we always seek the latest technology and advances within the industry to offer our customers the best experience possible. This is particularly true when it comes to improving disability-friendly designs. We work with specialists within the industry to choose the right components at every step of the way. In addition to open-plan designs and height adjustment to provide a wheelchair friendly area, we can also offer anti-scald mixers to add a layer of safety without impacting function. 

Our design team will work with you and medical experts, such as your occupational therapist, to create an accessible bathroom which will meet all of your needs. Before work begins we will provide you with the design in 2 and 3D to show you exactly what you have to look forward to. Once work begins, we are happy to work around you to ensure the disruption is minimised. We’ll create a schedule that suits you, your caregivers, and family.

At what point do you decide it’s time to tackle an ensuite bathroom renovation? Let’s take a look at some of the signs it’s time to consider a bathroom renovation.

What To Consider

Make a List

The first thing to do is make a list – cover the features you’d love, the elements you consider must-have, and then items you may need or want (whether now or in the future). 

It’s important to think about what you truly want from the space, but if you have plans to sell in the near future (within 5-7 years), then you will want to consider the needs of a potential buyer as well. For example, if you want to ditch the old bathtub and replace it with a sleek shower stall, you should only do so if another bathroom in the house has a bathtub. 

Colour Scheme

The easiest way to date a room is by choosing the wrong colour scheme. A neutral colour scheme is ideal as neutral colours don’t age and because they are light and bright it will make the room feel bigger. One thing that works against you in an ensuite renovation is that ensuite bathrooms are generally smaller than other bathrooms. That doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate colours, of course, this is where your accessories can shine. Use pops of colour in your towels, bath mats, and wall art. You can also mix it up with different fixtures and fittings like concrete or stainless steel.

Use Natural Light To Your Advantage

If your ensuite has a window, then use the natural light it brings to your advantage. If not, why not consider a skylight? It will elevate the room immediately and makes the lighting job a much easier prospect. 

Storage

It is one of the most overlooked aspects of a bathroom renovation, but one of the most important! Do not forget storage because the last thing you want is all your bathroom gear moving to the master bedroom. Consider: 

◦        A mirrored medical cabinet

◦        An alcove in the shower to hold products

◦        Vertical shelf storage for space-saving

◦        Choose a vanity rather than a simple basin. If you are fixed on a wall-mounted basin, consider mounting baskets beneath it for additional storage.

Fixtures & Fittings

Before you embark on an ensuite bathroom renovation, remember just how much time you spend in the room. You want to use your budget wisely to opt for fixtures, fittings, and tap-ware that you love and will serve you well. Remember, you want a cohesive room so aim for matching fixtures, fittings, tap-ware, and hardware throughout (rails, hooks, etc). 

How Crystal Bathrooms Can Help 

A wholly Australian owned business, Crystal Bathrooms proudly serves Sydney’s bathroom design, supply, and installation needs. With over three decades of combined experience in the industry, we aim to exceed your expectations at every twist and turn in the process. We are fully committed to providing you with a bathroom you love, whether it’s your home or business. As such, we pledge to provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation. The design team will be with you every step of the way as they walk you through the design process right up until installation. 

If you have an upcoming bathroom renovation project you would like to discuss or you have questions, please contact Crystal Bathrooms today to get the ball rolling.

A bathroom addition or remodel can be difficult and challenging at times. It’s a big investment in a room that is used numerous times a day so getting the look, style, function, and durability just right is crucial. When everything does come together perfectly it’s a wonderful experience.

At Crystal Bathrooms, we want to help make this progress as simple and as smooth as possible, one of the ways we are doing just that is by implementing the latest in 3D modelling and walkthrough technology to allow you to preview every aspect of your new bathroom before the plans are finalised. 

What is a 3D Walkthrough? 

3D walkthrough technology is an innovative technology utilising 3D design and visualisation techniques to allow designers to create realistic 3D representations of the design for clients to virtual ‘walk-around’ in and review. It is another tool in the designers’ toolbox to enable them to better work with the client to assess and develop the design in the early stages. 

The process starts by creating a layout model of your space using the real-world dimensions. This is the most crucial step as having an accurate template to work from is an essential part of the process. Next, the key elements of the room such as doors and windows are placed, while sometimes these can be moved, in most cases you will want to prevent additional costly construction by designing your new bathroom around existing entrances and windows. Finally, the design process begins. The process starts by adding stock shapes to represent the various fixtures of the bathroom before more realistic models and textures can be added to provide a more finalised look. 

The Benefits of 3D Walkthroughs 

Improved Layout 

A 3D model allows the designer and the client to work together in ways never imagined before. The usage of 3D walkthrough and visualisation techniques to render the final design enables issues with movement, access, sight-lines, and flow to be highlighted earlier than ever before. This means the designer can take action earlier, allowing for easier and cheaper modifications and refinements as the progress moves along.

Better Visualisation 

2D drawings can be hard to interpret without decades of experience and years of formal training. This can make it difficult for the client and designer to work together in the early stages of the design process where the client may not be able to fully visualise the 2D drawings into the 3D space. With 3D walkthrough technology, the client and the designer can both be on the same page from day one. This is especially useful when working with a group on commercial projects where there is a greater chance that one or more members may not be able to read 2D design drawings.

Easy Revisions 

Revising a design can be a costly and time-consuming experience, especially so if you are unsure a change is what you want and are just looking to see what works. 3D walkthrough and visualisation technology allow for fast and easy revisions allowing both the client and designer to experiment with the design in a more cost-effective and time-effective manner.

Simple Conversion 

2D drawings still have their place in the design and construction world. They are generally still required for submitting planning applications and contractors will certainly want to work from 2D drawings. 3D drawings can still be easily converted/displayed in a 2D format, offering you the best of both worlds—construction ready plans that are easy to visualise for clients.

How Crystal Bathrooms Can Help 

Crystal Bathrooms are the leading provider of intelligent and sophisticated bathroom solutions in the Sydney area. We service all types of bathrooms from residential to commercial, new builds to renovations. Our expert team of designers will work with you hand-in-hand to design a customised bathroom solution that is functional, blends seamlessly with your interior design, and is guaranteed to stand the test of time.

Crystal Bathrooms employs the latest advances and technologies to help you achieve a bathroom design you are sure to love. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you with your next bathroom project.

Nobody wants to have to renovate and update their interior decorating too often, and this is especially true when it comes to bathrooms. Bathrooms are often one of the least renovated rooms in the house. The time and cost involved, combined with losing access to a critical room during renovations often causes people to shy aware from regular renovations. Keeping renovations to a minimum makes the challenges of finding and designing a colour scheme even harder than normal; you don’t want to spend significant time, money, and resources redesigning your bathroom only for it to be left feeling dated a year or two down the line. 

An all-white bathroom will, of course, be timeless—white never dates—but can also be dull and boring. There is no reason you can’t add a touch of flair to your bathroom, while still maintaining a timeless look. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the great colour options to consider that will give your bathroom a new look and feel for years to come. 

Black and White 

Black and white combinations are one of the most obvious choices when people think about timeless colour schemes. While it’s true that pure black or white designs can feel bland, finding the right combinations can create a truly distinctive and timeless design. 

Monochromatic designs saw their rise to prominence during the Art Deco movement of the 1920s, and have remained popular ever since so it really is a time-tested design. One great feature of black and white designs is that they work well with almost any design and colour of fixtures so the choices are endless. 

The Natural Look 

Natural style never goes out of fashion so it’s a perfect choice for the bathroom. A natural effect design created beiges, brown, and wood finishes will look great in any sized space. Whites and greys work well for the main elements and surfaces, while aged metals look great for fixtures. 

Shades of Grey 

Grey is a perfect choice for timeless bathrooms. From subtle and warm shades, to heavy and distinctive, there is something for everybody here and it never seems to feel dated or out of style. Grey works especially well as an accent or background colour, which you can then enhance with easily changeable finishes (towels, soap bowls etc) to add a touch of flair that can be updated easily and quickly. 

Refreshing Blues 

The range of blues available are almost endless from deep and rich ultramarine blues to light and spacey ocean and sky blues; blue is a great way to add some distinct colour to your bathroom. Blue walls and tiling pair particularly well with stainless steel fixtures and natural wood finishes. 

Warming Yellows 

Yellows and oranges are beautifully warming and relaxing colours. Similar to greys, yellows make an excellent backdrop colour to be combined with flourishes of a different accent (blue works particularly well), to create a fresh, warm, and relaxing space. Just be careful not to be too heavy-handed as too much can feel cramped and overpowering, especially in small spaces. 

How Crystal Bathrooms Can Help 

Crystal Bathrooms are a wholly owned Australian bathroom designers, supplier, and installer, servicing both commercial and residential customers throughout the Sydney area. Our team has over 30 years of combined experience in the design and installation of high-quality bathroom solutions to our customers. 

We are committed to ensuring that you get a bathroom you love for your home or business, which is why we offer free, no-obligation, consultations and are fully licensed and insured. Our design team will work with you at every step of the process to create a bathroom solution that is tailored uniquely to you. 

Give us a call today to find out how the Crystal Bathrooms design team can help you with your next bathroom project.

If you, or someone you care for, is living with a disability, you know how debilitating it can be. And if your home isn’t up to scratch, it can make life even more difficult. The good news is you don’t have to sell your home and start again or move to another rental. In fact, it could be as simple as making some minor modifications and alterations to your hallway, doorways, garage, kitchen or bathroom.

Making home modifications can have a huge positive impact on your life or the life of the ones you’re caring for. Keep reading to find out how home modifications and bathroom modifications, in particular, could make life a whole lot easier on everyone. 

NDIS Home Modifications

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides financial support to people who are living with a disability, under the age of 65 years. The scheme aims to provide housing and health support, as well as better access to community services. One of the things they do is assist people with home modifications, provided your modifications fall under their assessment guidelines. 

According to the NDIS, home modifications are defined as “any changes to the structure, layout or fittings of an environment that are required to increase the ease and safety of access with which tasks can be performed”. 

The NDIS may fund home modifications if carers and the person living with a disability are unable to reasonably access particular rooms in the house, such as the bathroom. It can include adding fixtures and fittings, or full redesigns to suit. 

NDIS home bathroom modifications 

A sudden illness or injury, or longer-term impairment could mean a revamp of your current bathroom is now necessary. When it comes to handicap bathrooms for residential tenants, there are a range of modifications you might consider, particularly if you’re planning on applying for financial assistance with the NDIS. These include:

Assessing Your Requirements

If you require NDIS assistance for your bathroom renovation, you first need to undergo a home modifications assessment. The home modification assessments are completed by NDIS registered provider, who must prove to the NDIS that modifications are necessary within your bathroom. This is completed by an Occupational Therapist (OT) who will visit your home. They will look at the current layout of your home, observe the activities you complete daily, and assess what you need further assistance with (if anything). They’ll then discuss their findings with you and make recommendations. 

The OT will complete a report that includes measurements of the changes required, including doorway widths that need changing, rail heights and diameters, and so on. They’ll even come back after the work is completed to evaluate the changes. Get in touch with your local NDIS office to find out more.

How To Choose The Best Home Modifications Company

Once you’re approved for NDIS home modifications, the next step is to find a reputable company to complete the work for you. The best way to do this is to get on Google and search for local companies. Give them a call or send them an email and ask them the following questions: 

It’s best if you have an idea in mind of what you need, but that doesn’t have to always be the case, and many bathroom renovations companies are happy to provide advice. 

At Crystal Bathrooms, we provide NDIS home modifications to ensure your disability bathroom provides everything you need for comfortable living. We also offer aged care bathroom renovation services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a home modification?

Home modifications are changes to your home, whether this is the structure, the layout of the house or fittings. It allows someone who is living with a disability better access to the home and features within it, including safer access, to enter the home and to move around inside. Home modifications could include a full redesign of your bathroom or adding rails in the toilet, to building a ramp at the front door. NDIS home modifications are generally only made if it is expected that the home will remain the primary residence in the long term.

How do I get permission to make alterations to my home?

To make alterations to your home, there are several laws and regulations you must adhere to. These include the Building Codes and Australian Standards, which regulate the type of home modifications you can complete. Minor alterations usually don’t need anyone’s permission, unless you are renting or you require assistance from the NDIS – in which case you need both your landlord’s permission, and you need to see if you’re eligible for financial assistance. Major alterations, however, could be subject to Council approval, so your best bet is to contact your local City Council to discuss your requirements.

What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is also known as the NDIS, which is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The organisation is jointly funded and governed by the Australian Government and State governments. It provides financial support to people who are under 65 years of age, who are living with a disability, as well as their families and carers. The role of the NDIS is to provide a range of support packages to eligible people. It also aims to help people with a disability have better access to mainstream services, such as housing and health; provide better access to community services, and to help those living with a disability maintain their own support systems.

Does NDIS cover home modifications?

There are some instances in which the NDIS will consider funding your home modifications. 

These include:

How do I request a modification?

As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, arranging a home modification varies depending on where you live. It also depends on if you are renting or an owner. If you’re renting and your home is public or community housing, you need to contact your local Housing Provider. If you’re renting privately, ask your landlord’s permission to make any changes to the home. If you own your property, you can simply undertake the modifications yourself. This changes if the property is part of public or community housing, in which case you need to contact the operator of the retirement village or the Owner’s Corporation.

Now more than ever, companies and businesses have realised how important it is to do their part to help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, especially in public places. Buildings like malls, shopping centres, hotels, and restaurants are high traffic areas, and, no matter how vigilant the cleaning staff may be, an ill-equipped bathroom can be a breeding ground for germs that are able to survive on surfaces for hours or days at a time.

What’s worse, a dated or poorly cleaned bathroom will turn customers off and may reflect poorly on your business and brand. Luckily, technology has helped bathrooms automate in many ways that help individuals come into contact with fewer surfaces, and make cleaning much easier and more effective. 

Renovation ideas that will improve public bathroom hygiene

When renovating a bathroom that will be subject to high traffic, there are many things you can put in place now that will not only keep germs at bay but can even help your business save money in the long run.

Installation of sensor taps and flushing mechanisms

Traditionally, those using the bathroom would need to come into contact with a number of surfaces, from door handles to toilets, to sink taps. By choosing bathroom fixtures that are sensor-driven, individuals lessen the number of surfaces they need to come into contact with. When renovating a high traffic bathroom in places like shopping centres or hotels, it makes sense to install fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers that have sensors so there are less communal items to touch. The best part: they also require less energy and help conserve water as well!

Choosing wall-hung toilets

A full public bathroom renovation should include the addition of wall-hung toilets. By mounting toilets on the wall, the entire surface of the floor is visible and accessible, making it easier to clean. That means conditions in the bathroom will remain more hygienic over time, and no moisture will pool around the base of the toilet – which means less mould/mildew build-up and less odour.

Hand drying options

Older bathrooms typically come equipped with paper hand towel dispensers. This not only encourages far too much unnecessary consumption of paper, but it can also lead to a bathroom looking untidy (if paper is strewn across the floor by individuals, or if wastebaskets are allowed to overflow). By replacing hand towel dispensers with hand dryers, you are reducing the amount of waste the bathroom produces and curbing the spread of germs by removing one more item a person needs to touch in the bathroom. 

Passive Infra-Red Sensor Lighting

Passive Infra-Red sensor lighting, or PIR, is an effective lighting mechanism that also saves on energy costs while yet again removing a surface area (the light switch) that collects bacteria and viruses from repeated touching. By installing PIR lighting, the bathroom will be illuminated only when in use. It’s a great way to reduce electricity costs while also reducing germs.

Opt for wall and floor cladding over tiles and grout

Grout is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould due to its porous nature. While large-format tiles will help reduce grout lines, an even more effective material for high traffic bathroom walls and floors is Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) and anti-slip safety grade flooring. These materials not only remove the need for germ-loving grout, but they also make cleanup a breeze. With a variety of styles, colours, and finishes to choose from, you also never have to sacrifice style for function.

Use Higher End Epoxy Grout

Epoxy grout has become more and more popular among tile contractors and builders. Unlike cement grout, which is made from a cementitious powder mix, epoxy grout is made from epoxy resins and a filler powder. The grout is extremely durable and almost completely stain-proof. Regular grout isn’t waterproof, so unlike epoxy grout, it can absorb water when it’s wet and stain easily. If you’re tired of scrubbing the gunk off your grout, epoxy grout could be your solution.

Epoxy grout is made from two different resins mixed with a filler, making it very waterproof and better suited to harsher cleaning products. Epoxy thin sets offer greater bond strength and chemical resistance than cementitious grouts.

Crystal Bathrooms: the experts in zero-touch bathroom installations

If your business needs a bathroom designed with zero-touch functionality in mind, you’ve come to the right place. We have the latest bathroom technologies that make designing high-traffic commercial bathrooms a breeze with effective solutions that are not just sleek and modern but also efficient and functional. 

When you’re ready for a commercial bathroom renovation, we’re here to help. Contact us today.

Office bathrooms can be a breeding ground for germs and viruses. They can also be unpleasant spaces if cleaning isn’t consistent, waste is allowed to build up, and water from sinks or toilets is allowed to pool or collect without being properly addressed.

Unkempt and dated bathrooms in the office can affect office morale. It also reflects poorly on the company and on management in general, if you can’t offer your employees or clients a clean and comfortable experience in such a high-traffic area.

More than that, bathrooms with poor hygiene can be dangerous and unsanitary.

The importance of office hygiene

Office hygiene has a profound effect on the happiness and efficiency of your employees. Whether you’re aware of it or not, office hygiene affects:

The health of employees

If your office bathroom isn’t cleaned regularly or has out-of-date equipment, your employees and their health may be at risk. Germs and viruses can flourish in unsanitary conditions, and, when employees have to come into contact with various surfaces (including door handles, toilets, sinks, etc.), viruses and germs can easily spread.

Office morale

No one wants to come into an office or share a space where sinks are leaky, toilets are smelly or out-of-order, and surfaces are wet or dirty. A dirty bathroom and the smells associated with it may affect how employees feel about their job or about their need to come into work, especially if the bathroom is situated close to offices and desks.

Air quality

Bathrooms that aren’t well ventilated can cause residual smells to linger in the air and permeate both the bathroom and, occasionally, surrounding areas.

Safety

A bathroom that isn’t cleaned regularly may have slippery floors or cluttered areas (think overflowing wastebaskets). Not having proper places to hang items like coats or place bags and purses may also cause tripping hazards. An unsafe bathroom may lead to slip and falls that can affect both clients and employees.

How to improve bathroom hygiene in an office environment

A bathroom renovation will go a long way in helping improve employee morale and general office hygiene. When looking for ways to improve office hygiene in the bathroom, start with:

No-touch/automated devices

The latest technologies make it easier to prevent the spread of viruses in germs by helping employees come in contact with fewer surfaces in the bathroom. It also cuts down on waste and helps a company save money. Consider implementing:

Shelves and hangers for personal belongings

By adding in shelves by sinks and coat hangers on stall doors, employees can place their belongings safely away from any dirt or water, and ensure nothing is on the floor to avoid slip and fall situations.

Easy to clean non-porous surfaces and tiles

When surfaces are porous, they can be magnets for mould and mildew. Seek out tiles and flooring that isn’t porous and is easy to clean with mild soap and water. This avoids the need for harsh chemicals that may be offensive to employees sensitive to smells.

Get the ventilation right

Good ventilation in the bathroom will help reduce odours, help disperse the smell of cleaning agents, and reduce the build-up of moisture that can lead to mould or moisture. It will also ensure that the space doesn’t hold any other airborne pollutants or germs.

Crystal Bathrooms can help improve your office bathrooms

At Crystal Bathrooms we handle renovations of all sizes, from residential to commercial. We not only have a wide selection of products available for office bathrooms, but we’re also always up-to-date on the latest codes and requirements for businesses and offices. We can help advise your company on everything from the number of bathrooms legally required according to your employee count to how to implement accessibility measures into your renovations to make sure bathrooms are available to everyone, no matter what their needs may be.

Speak to the team at Crystal Bathrooms to see how we can help make your office bathroom more hygienic.

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