Your Guide To Disabled Showers & Mobility Wet Rooms

A wet room is a perfect bathing solution for individuals with disabilities, mobility challenges, or older adults who need additional support and space while showering.

A fully waterproofed, level walk-in or roll-in floor provides seamless access to the showering area, significantly reducing the risk of falls commonly associated with traditional step-in showers.

A floor former tray, like the AKW Tuff Form Wet Floor Former, offers exceptional strength, supporting up to 60 stone (381kg) of point-loaded weight when installed directly across standard floor joists—eliminating the need for additional underboarding. Designed for both vinyl and tiled floor finishes, it provides a durable, accessible solution, allowing for safe and comfortable wheelchair use without risk of damage to the tray itself.

A variety of support bars, shower seats, and grab rails are available to enhance safety and independence while showering. Options like the AKW Grab Rails and AKW Shower Seats & Chairs provide reliable support, allowing users to maintain as much freedom as they need.

Browse our shower seats HERE

Browse our Grab Rails & Support Bars HERE

Choose from AKW's wide range of plastic & stainless steel grab rails, including:

• AKW 1400 Series Plastic Grab Rails (White, Blue, Dark Blue)
• AKW 1800 Series Fold Up, Drop Down Hairpin Support Rails (White & Stainless Steel)
• AKW 1000 Series & AKW 1200 Series Metal Grab Rails 
• AKW Onyx Grab Rails 

Planning Your Accessible Wet Room – Essential Considerations

Creating a safe, practical, and future-proof wet room requires careful thought. Whether designing for current accessibility needs or planning ahead, here are key factors to consider:

Assessing Current Needs

It may seem obvious, but evaluating the user’s current requirements is crucial. For example, shower controls may need to be positioned lower to accommodate those who shower while seated or using a wheelchair.

Future-Proofing for Changing Needs

Will the user require a wheelchair-accessible shower in the future? If so, choosing the right under-tray is essential. Consider whether a wheelchair will need to roll into the shower area easily and whether the tray can support point-loaded weight.

Is the Wet Room Wheelchair-Friendly?

Not all wet room under-trays are built to support wheelchairs or point-loaded devices (such as shower stools). If you’re unsure which tray is right for your needs, get in touch with our friendly team @ info@essentialbathrooms.co.uk or call us on 01704 627 399.

Choosing the Right Flooring

For disabled and mobility-friendly wet rooms, a non-slip vinyl floor is the most common and safest choice. However, not all under-trays are compatible with vinyl flooring. We recommend the AKW Tuff Form Wet Floor Former or the Impey Level Dec for a seamless and durable finish.

Placing Support Bars & Grab Rails

Modern support bars and grab rails come in a variety of styles and functions, including options with integrated shower head holders or even toilet tissue holders. Selecting multi-functional grab rails helps reduce clutter while maintaining style and accessibility.
Always ensure that support bars are fully weight-tested to provide reliable assistance.

Access & Showering Space

For wheelchair users, the entryway to the shower area needs to be wider than standard access points. Additionally, extra space may be required inside the wet room to allow for easy manoeuvrability.
If a carer or assistant is needed during showering, make sure to allow ample space for both users to move comfortably.

Find the Best Wet Room Solutions at Essential Bathrooms

From wheelchair-friendly shower trays to support bars and grab rails, we offer a wide range of products to make your wet room both practical and stylish. Explore our collection today HERE