A Bathroom Designed for Staying in Place
A strategic makeover that’s fit for forever
Project: Make a bathroom accessible and safe in Brooklyn
Before: Elaine and her family moved into their brownstone in 1981 and the parlor floor bathroom hadn’t been renovated since. Aside from the outdated fixtures and decor, Elaine’s main focus was to make the bathroom suitable for “aging-in-place.” The bathroom is on the same floor as the kitchen, so if she ever needed to stay on one floor of the home, she’d have everything she required “My plan is to stay in my house as long as I can,” Elaine said. Design-wise, she wanted the bathroom to be clean, crisp, and something she’d never get tired of. Renovating a bathroom she said, “is like buying a sofa; you’re not just going to get rid of it right away.” When she heard about Sweeten and the selection of vetted, licensed, and insured contractors, Elaine posted her project.
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After: Elaine was matched with a Sweeten general contractor and they clicked instantly. “I could sense that I got along with him very well,” she said. They went to Home Depot together, and he suggested a few stores in Queens with better prices for fixtures and materials.
The bathtub was replaced with a walk-in shower featuring a handicap bar, a separate hand-shower, and a built-in storage nook. Elaine knew she wanted the shower floor to be a little rougher for extra traction, so she opted for a stone-effect material. Even though the bathroom had plenty of space for a separate towel rack, she preferred a clean, clutter-free space with essentials hidden away. The floating vanity provided enough storage for towels, toilet paper, and a hairdryer.
Overall, the renovation process went smoothly. When she ordered the wrong size toilet for the existing plumbing, her contractor helped find a new one for the plumbing. Since there weren’t any major changes to the footprint, they didn’t have to go through the NYC Department of Buildings for approvals, either.
“I was very fortunate I found the right person through Sweeten,” Elaine said. “I love everything about the bathroom.”
Bonus: Her contractor built a closet for even more convenient (and hidden) storage.
Style finds: Shower tile, shower fixtures, wall and floor tile, and floating vanity: Decor Planet
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Two bathrooms became one senior-friendly bath in the Bronx.
Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.
