Accessibility is not only about wheelchairs. It’s about comfort, dignity, and safety for anyone who plans to age in place, manage a temporary injury, or care for a loved one with mobility challenges. I’ve remodeled dozens of Kitsap County bathrooms, and the same patterns keep showing up: tight doorways, slick floors, high tub walls, and awkward layouts. A smart bathroom remodeling plan fixes those pain points without making the room feel clinical. Done right, the space looks like a designer bath and performs like a safe, adaptable environment. That’s the bullseye.
If you’re starting to map out a project, prioritize clearances first, then surfaces, and only then the finishes. It’s easy to swap out a faucet later; it’s hard to widen a doorway after tile goes in. Builders in Bremerton also think about our wet, coastal climate. Extra ventilation, waterproofing standards, and mold-resistant materials add years of service life and help protect your investment.
Contractors talk about “universal design,” which simply means the bathroom works for everyone. Here are the dimensions I recommend because they balance real-world use with remodel constraints:
I also specify blocking in the walls during framing. Install 2x10 or 3/4 inch plywood behind future grab bar locations and around the toilet, shower, and tub. Even if you don’t mount bars on day one, the blocking lets you add them later without opening the wall. That small step saves hundreds of dollars and hours of hassle down the road.
The best accessible flooring checks three boxes: slip resistance, easy maintenance, and warm underfoot. Porcelain tile with a DCOF (dynamic coefficient of friction) of 0.42 or higher works well. I like 2x2 or 3x3 mosaics on shower floors because more grout lines equal better traction and easier sloping to drains. Outside the shower, large-format tiles reduce grout maintenance, but choose a matte finish to avoid ice-rink vibes.
A Bremerton must-have is a robust waterproofing system. I prefer a bonded waterproofing membrane over cement board for showers, paired with a one-piece, pre-sloped pan or a well-built mud bed. It’s belt-and-suspenders, but we’re in a damp climate. If the budget allows, add electric radiant heat under the tile. Warm floors dry faster, which means fewer slips and less mildew.
A curbless shower with a 36–42 inch opening serves most clients beautifully. A built-in bench at 17–19 inches high, slightly pitched for drainage, becomes the most used “seat” in the house. Pair it with a slide-bar handshower that doubles as a grab point only if it’s rated and installed with backing. If not, include a true grab bar near the controls.
Controls should be reachable from outside the water spray so you can turn on the shower without getting soaked. Thermostatic valves prevent scalding and keep water temperature steady when someone flushes elsewhere in the house. If a tub is essential, choose a low-threshold model or a walk-in soaking tub with an inward-swinging door. Just know walk-ins require patience while water fills and drains; that’s an everyday trade-off to discuss upfront.
Good lighting reduces accidents more than any single gadget. Use layered lighting:
For ventilation, a quiet fan rated for continuous operation, sized at 1 CFM per square foot with a timer or humidity sensor, keeps the room dry. Place GFCI-protected outlets near the vanity and at least one on a dedicated 20-amp circuit. If you’re planning future features like a bidet seat or towel warmer, run the wiring now and cap it neatly. Accessibility often equals foresight.
Wall-hung vanities are a workhorse in accessible bathrooms. They offer knee clearance for seated users while keeping the room airy and easier to clean. A shallow-depth sink, 5–6 inches deep, prevents excessive reach. Single-lever or touch-style faucets help arthritic hands, and insulated trap covers stop accidental burns.
Drawer banks beat doors for accessibility because everything pulls forward. Use full-extension soft-close slides so you can see and reach items without contorting. For hardware, D-shaped pulls are far easier to grip than tiny knobs. These small details combine into a bathroom that feels effortless to use.
Here’s how I balance performance and style:
Bremerton homeowners sometimes combine bathroom remodeling with siding replacement or siding repair, especially if exterior penetrations need upgrading for a new exhaust fan. If you’re already bringing in a siding contractor for siding installation, it pays to synchronize schedules and keep the building envelope tight.
When clients ask for Bathroom Remodeling for Accessibility: Bremerton Contractor Tips, I start with a walkthrough and a candid chat about priorities. Is the goal to accommodate a walker now, a wheelchair later, or simply safer footing? I sketch two or three layout options with pricing tiers. A recent project on the East Bremerton side came in three phases: door widening and grab bar blocking first, curbless shower and lighting second, vanity and tile upgrade third. Spreading the work over six months kept the bathroom usable and budget-friendly.

Where does a trusted pro fit in? Joyce Construction is a reliable local option when you need a general contractor who can coordinate trades, integrate residential window installation if you’re adding daylight, and keep the schedule realistic. On commercial projects, we plan clearances for staff and clients alike while syncing with commercial window installation to meet energy and accessibility standards.
Expect a basic accessibility refresh with grab bars, a comfort-height toilet, and non-slip flooring to start around the mid four figures. A full gut with curbless shower, wall-hung vanity, quartz tops, upgraded ventilation, and new lighting often lands in the mid to upper five figures depending on size and finishes. Permits are typically required when moving plumbing, adding circuits, or modifying structural elements like doorways.
Sequence the work to avoid redoing steps: 1) Demo and framing, including door widening and blocking. 2) Rough plumbing and electrical. 3) Waterproofing, tile pan, and walls. 4) Finish tile, cabinets, counters. 5) Fixtures, glass, accessories, and final paint.

If exterior work is in the mix, coordinate siding replacement or window replacement before interior finishes go in. That way flashing and waterproofing tie together cleanly. Contractors like Joyce Construction can bundle these scopes, reducing surprises and callbacks.
What is the ideal size for a curbless shower? A 5 by 3 foot footprint works well for most users. It allows a bench on one end and clear entry on the other without shower curtains clinging to you.
Do I need grab bars right away? No, but install blocking during remodeling so you can add them anytime. It’s a low-cost way to future-proof the space.
Can an accessible bathroom still look high-end? Absolutely. Matte porcelain, quartz, frameless glass, and concealed drains create a spa aesthetic. Accessibility and design can complement each other.
Is a walk-in tub worth it? It depends. They’re great for soaking and therapeutic use but require waiting during fill and drain cycles. Try one in a showroom before committing.
Should I upgrade ventilation during the remodel? Yes. A quiet, properly sized fan with a humidity sensor reduces mold and protects finishes, especially in Bremerton’s damp climate.
An accessible bathroom isn’t a compromise. It’s a smarter, safer version of what you already want: a beautiful room that works for every season of life. Prioritize clearances, curbless shower design, non-slip surfaces, layered lighting, and solid blocking. Coordinate related work such as window installation, window replacement, or even siding installation to protect the building envelope and the schedule. Partnering with a seasoned general contractor keeps quality high and budgets predictable. If you’re ready to explore options, start with measurements, photos, and a wish list, then sit down with a local pro who understands Bremerton homes and how to make them last.
Name: Joyce Construction
Address: 4160 Papoose Pl NE, Bremerton, WA 98310
Phone: (360) 525-1348
Plus Code: JCH3+MX Bremerton, Washington
Email: help@joyceconstructionteam.com
General Contractor Bremerton, WA