Accessible Bathroom Renovation in an Aging-in-Place Remodel
Built around aging in place, this Kensington co-op renovation opened the kitchen and dining area, reconnected the den to the living room with six-foot pocket doors, and brought more natural light across the apartment.
It also turned a former powder room into a primary bath with a shower, making the accessible bathroom renovation part of a larger plan that added low-maintenance materials and details suited to the couple’s long-term needs.
- Homeowners: Grandparents Marie and John posted their renovation on Sweeten
- Where: Kensington, Brooklyn, New York
- Primary renovation: The apartment was redesigned for aging in place, with the kitchen and dining area opened up and the den reconnected to the living room to improve flow and bring in more natural light. The renovation also included turning a former half bath into a primary bathroom with a shower by taking space from a bedroom, along with accessible updates, added storage, and low-maintenance finishes.
- Homeowner’s quote: “Our new space feels comfortable and cozy. The natural light combined with our light fixtures makes it a happy place to live. We feel very much at home…like we have been here for a long time.”
A return to Brooklyn with room for family
Marie and John are both New York City natives who had lived in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., for many years. When their first grandchild was born in Brooklyn in 2014, they started planning a move back to their hometown.
After John retired in 2017, the couple decided to buy a home that could comfortably host large gatherings with friends, their five children, and a growing group of grandkids.
After a four-month search and two lost bids, Marie and John visited an open house in Brooklyn’s Kensington neighborhood. “Even though it was a very wet, snowy day in early 2017, there were many potential buyers,” Marie said.
“We both liked the size and layout and could see the space had real potential. The 12 large windows and three exposures won us over. We ended up paying over the asking price, but felt good about the deal.”
The 3-bed, 1.5-bath co-op boasted about 1,300 square feet of living space and was close to Prospect Park, as well as their children. The closing occurred in May; the couple turned to Sweeten to find an architect and general contractor to help with a thorough renovation.
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Designing a brighter home for years to come
Although serviceable, the apartment needed work, including remodeling the kitchen, updating the bathroom, and turning an existing half-bath into a master bath with a shower. They also wanted to open up the layout so the apartment’s three exposures could bring natural light into every corner.
Those conversations with their Sweeten architect led to architectural renderings that reimagined the home as an age-in-place oasis for an active couple, giving them the ease of city living along with enough space to host their large extended family.
To support the couple’s plan to age in place and stay in the apartment for years to come, their architect incorporated accessible design features in the bathrooms. The team also chose materials that would be easier to maintain over time, including closets to keep clutter out of sight, large-format bath tile with less grout, and moisture- and heat-resistant Caesarstone kitchen countertops.
Opening up the kitchen and living spaces
In the common areas, the reworked layout created more open space for entertaining and cooking. A windowed den that had once been accessed through the kitchen was instead connected to the living room, a change that made the overall flow feel much more natural.
The den could still serve as a guest room when needed, but on most days it worked as a corner office. Six-foot pocket doors could be left open, helping natural light travel farther into the living room.
The kitchen’s old tile floor was replaced with hardwood to match the living room, helping unify the newly opened living area. That continuous flooring made the space feel brighter, calmer, and more connected. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate expertly with Sweeten
“Our new kitchen was outfitted with gray IKEA Bodbyn cabinets and glossy, deep crimson glass tiles for the backsplash. It’s the extra special spark to our gray kitchen,” Marie said. The tall upper cabinets made the most of the high ceiling and added much-needed storage.
“Based on our own past experience, we chose quartz countertops,” she added. “The fact that it is practically indestructible met our desire for a low-maintenance lifestyle.”
Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining alcove turned a once-dark area into a brighter, better-integrated place to eat and gather. Their Sweeten architect also replaced the closets at the back of the dining area with additional cabinetry that matched the kitchen.
The upper cabinets were finished with glass fronts, and a mirrored backsplash added even more light to the space. Above the dining table, a bronze spherical chandelier served as a simple but striking focal point.
Accessible bathroom renovations plus soundproofing
The next major change centered on the primary bathroom, which had originally been just a powder room. To make it work, the renovation took square footage from a second bedroom so the space could accommodate a shower.
That was not a simple update. Because the expanded bathroom would place plumbing over dry space, the architect had to make a careful case to the co-op board that the plan would not create problems.
To address the board’s concerns, the architect met with both the board and the building engineer to review the safeguards, materials, and installation methods planned for the project. That persistence paid off with strong water- and soundproofing measures designed to protect the neighboring apartments.
For the finishes, they chose light-colored tile for the floors and walls, along with accent tile in the shower floor and niche. The shower also included a long safety bar for added stability, one of several details meant to support the couple over time. A large square Duravit sink sits on a stand with clean, modern lines and a shelf below.
The guest bath featured a large mirror with a stone shelf beneath and lighter colors. Safety handlebars were also added to the inside of the bathtub wall.
For easy cleaning and to free up the floor space, wall-hung sinks were installed. “This bathroom has no window, but looks bright, large, and attractive,” Marie said.
A collaborative renovation that feels like home
The renovation was a true collaboration between the homeowners and the architect. Marie explained, “Our Sweeten architect was extremely helpful, making suggestions, listening to our opinions, and helping us decide. She seemed to be totally invested while following our tastes and budget.”
How do they feel about their new home? “Our new space feels comfortable and cozy,” Marie said.
“The natural light combined with our light fixtures makes it a happy place to live. We feel very much at home…like we have been here for a long time.”
Thank you, Marie and John. We hope you’ll have many happy family gatherings in your new home!
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Renovation materials
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM RESOURCES:
- Bodbyn cabinets: IKEA. Quartz countertops: Caesarstone.
- Loft Cherry Red polished glass subway tile backsplash: TileBar.
- Franklin Iron Works Ellery bronze sphere dining room pendant: Amazon.
MASTER BATH:
- Volcano Bianco floor tile, ivory matte wall tile, No. 12 porcelain wall tile in Super White: Nemo.
- Duravit DuraSquare Sink: YLiving.
- Wall-mounted polished chrome console: Quality Bath.
GUEST BATH:
- 24” Happy D.2 wall-mounted sink: YLiving.
- Haisa Picollo shower floor tile, Tread neutral floor tile, Stacked Dove trim tile: Nemo.
Frequently asked questions
What does aging in place mean?
Aging in place means staying in your own home safely, comfortably, and independently as you get older. It usually involves thoughtful changes like easier layouts, safer bathrooms, and features that support long-term mobility and day-to-day living.
What is a powder room?
A powder room is a small bathroom that usually has just a toilet and sink, without a shower or bathtub. It’s typically meant for guests or quick everyday use, which is why it often sits near common living areas.
What are some features of an accessible bathroom?
Some features of an accessible bathroom are grab bars and wall-hung sinks. In this renovation, those details were added to make the bathrooms safer, easier to use, and easier to maintain over time.
