A Guide to Hotel Design Pt 32: How to Make an Oddly Shaped Bathroom Safe

More Ability – a leading bath and shower room specialist for all types of stylish, accessible, safe and disabled solutions – takes a look at how you can make an oddly shaped bathroom safe.

Bathrooms can be a hazardous place for people with balance issues, whether that’s seniors or anyone with a disability. An awkward, or oddly shaped bathroom can be even more problematic.

Design is key when making a bathroom safe, and you should embrace the limitations, rather than fight them.

The truth is, with careful planning, executing clever designs and being selective with your product or solution choices, your oddly shaped bathroom could actually be the basis of a completely unique stylish and accessible suite.

The first, and arguably the most important step, is recognising potential limitations, embracing them and having a willingness to work with them. These limitations can present themselves in many different forms but traditionally speaking, it may include one of the following:

• Alcoves
• Sloping ceilings
• Angled walls
• Bulkheads
• Cylinder and boiler cupboards

Tips on how you can improve safety in your bathroom.

Alcoves

Alcoves should not be deemed an unusable or unattractive space because, with a little bit of imagination, they can be transformed into a bespoke storage area, enhanced further with the installation of featured spotlights, or purpose-built, easily accessible made-to-measure units.

As a result of exploiting every nook and cranny and utilising it to your advantage you can create a clean and minimalistic look by concealing unattractive, yet necessary, “clutter”.

Sloping Ceilings, Angled Walls and Bulk Heads

Sloping ceilings, angled walls and bulkheads are by far the biggest cause for concern when it comes to adapting a bathroom or creating a completely accessible shower room; especially if the area isn’t big to begin with.

The secret is to work with what you’ve got because, depending on a number of factors, there is often scope to incorporate the intruding feature into the refurbishment project by using it to your advantage.

Whether installing a bespoke level access shower unit, or a safe and practical wet room, there are ways and means to consume these limitations within the design and enhance your overall refurbishment.

Boiler Cupboards

The unattractive problem with a boiler cupboard that’s located in the bathroom, is the large chunk of space it takes up. When wheelchair access is required, it can present a whole host of manoeuvrability problems.

The truth is, if your room is simply not big enough to meet your individual bathing requirements you may have to consider removing or relocating it. However, it is also possible you may be able to embrace the offending intrusion and utilise the corner space it creates to your advantage.

Things like installing a wall-to-wall walk-in shower tray with bi-folding doors, an end-to-end easy access bath or a wet floor system with retractable shower curtain (be mindful the floor would have to be sloped to ensure water does not pool), are all possible. There will be things your designer can do to keep costs down, rather than moving your boiler, and the above is just a small selection of the possibilities.

Remember: the first and most important step in overcoming these limitations is to embrace them. Through careful planning, executing clever designs and being creative with your product or solution choices; your oddly shaped bathroom could actually be the basis of a completely unique, safe and practical adaptation.

To minimise the risk of falling in the bath, place a non-slip mat on the floor of the bath or shower. You may want to use slip resistant vinyl or anti-slip tiles if fitting a new bathroom. This will allow vulnerable people to navigate the bathroom easily without the risk of falling.

Another top tip is to put essential items within easy reach. When in the shower or bath, seniors and vulnerable people should be able to reach any toiletry items without having to stretch.

You may also want to install dispensers on the wall of the bath or shower, so there’s no need to worry about bottles slipping and falling over. Mounted dispensers are affordable and easy to install.

Perhaps make a few changes to lighting too? This can greatly improve safety, as poor lighting can increase the risk of falls. Poor visibility is a problem, so you should ensure that the path between the bedroom and the bathroom is well lit with no obstacles. Bathrooms are usually light, but they need to have adequate lighting. If you need to use the bathroom at night, holding a nightlight to lead the way can be a good idea, to ensure the path is well lit.

Finally, you might want to think about not locking the bathroom door. I know we all associate the bathroom with privacy, but in the event of an accident, such as a medical issue or a fall, you or your family might not be able to exit the bathroom.

These issues can happen to anyone, at any age; and it’s important to ensure that you are totally safe when you use your bathroom, especially if it’s oddly shaped.

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.