Do you want to update your home? Renovate the bathroom. It is one of the most common renovations when you need to make a change in your house. Renovating the bathroom can improve both the functionality and aesthetics of the space, as well as increase the value of your home. Renovating the bathroom opens up a world of possibilities: you can make a complete change by modifying the structure and layout, or simply make some improvements. You can renovate the bathroom for safety, by replacing the bathtub with a safe shower for the elderly, or for comfort, by expanding the space and choosing sustainable materials. It all depends on the goal you want to achieve with the renovation and the budget.

H2 Bathtub to shower conversions

Bathroom renovations are typically done every 10 to 12 years, when continuous use starts to show signs of wear on the fixtures. However, renovations can also be carried out to adapt the bathroom to personal circumstances. When children are small, the bathtub is an essential element for convenience. However, when there are elderly people in the house, the shower becomes a key part of the bathroom for safety and accessibility.
By replacing the bathtub with a shower, architectural barriers are removed, creating a greater sense of space and providing safer and more accessible access—something essential when there are elderly or mobility-impaired individuals in the home. What should be considered in this change? The type of shower suited to the bathroom space and the finishes. Current trends point to the use of spacious showers with glass screens to enhance the feeling of space and non-slip materials to prevent slips and accidental falls.

H2 Bathroom renovation prices

Although the bathroom is usually one of the smallest areas in the house, the cost of renovating it is higher due to its many requirements.
The price of renovating a bathroom depends on the complexity of the work, whether it is a complete or partial renovation, the duration, and the quality of the materials used. The average price for renovating a bathroom of about 6 m² is around 3,500 €, which is approximately 650 €/m². This average budget varies depending on the type of renovation. For example, if tiles don't need to be removed, the price can be somewhat lower; but if high-quality materials are chosen, the budget can reach up to 25,000 €.

H3 Factors that influence the cost of the renovation

The bathroom renovation budget is influenced by the size of the space, the floor area, the number of pieces (sinks, toilet, bidet, bathtub, shower, etc.), and the quality of the materials and finishes. The quality of the materials can increase the budget by more than 10%. In addition to these basic expenses, you must also consider the cost of other auxiliary elements such as countertops, bathroom furniture, faucets, accessories, mirrors, lighting, and more.

When updating an old bathroom, over 15 years old, it is necessary to renovate the plumbing and electrical installations, which increases the budget. Renovating these installations accounts for between 20% and 30% of the total budget. On the other hand, when changes are made to a new bathroom, this expense can be avoided as the installations are in perfect condition.

H3 How much does it cost to replace a bathtub with a shower?

The budget for replacing a bathtub with a shower tray varies depending on the size of the bathtub and shower, the type of shower, and the materials used. An average price can range from 500 €, with the most basic materials, to 2,000 €. There is a wide variety of shower materials to choose from when renovating the bathroom: natural stone, ceramics, acrylics, synthetics, polyurethane, or porcelain-coated steel. The most economical option is the ceramic or acrylic tray, but it has a drawback: not all of them fit the dimensions of the bathtub space.

The faucets are also affected when replacing the bathtub. Generally, the taps are too low to be used in the shower, so if the faucets are replaced and thermostatic ones are installed, the budget increases. Similarly, if the entire shower wall is tiled, it is more expensive than just covering the area that the bathtub previously occupied with new tiles.

The shower screen is another essential element of the shower that, depending on the style, size, and material, can increase the budget. The average price for installing a shower screen is around 400 €. If you want a more economical option, choose an acrylic screen instead of glass, but if you opt for a designer bathroom, install an iron and glass screen, although it has a higher cost.

H2 Examples of renovated bathrooms

H2 Bathroom renovations for elderly people

Replacing the bathtub with a shower is the main renovation done in the bathroom to make it more accessible for elderly people, but it is not the only one. The shower is more accessible and safer than the bathtub, so this change helps prevent many falls in the bathroom.

To increase the safety of the shower, safety and support bars should be installed, allowing elderly people to hold on to enter and exit with ease. Seats inside the shower are also essential as they provide security and comfort for elderly people while bathing. To further enhance safety, it is crucial to install non-slip floors, as they offer better grip and help prevent falls.

When remodeling the bathroom for elderly people, it is advisable to choose high toilets to make it easier to sit down and get up without straining the knees. Additionally, these toilets promote the autonomy of older adults when performing their personal hygiene for a longer time.

The most suitable faucets for a bathroom adapted for elderly people are thermostatic ones, to prevent sudden temperature changes, and lever-type faucets, which are easier to handle.

Another element to consider when adapting the bathroom is the access door. Replacing the traditional hinged door with a sliding door makes access to the bathroom more convenient, which is especially important when the person has limited mobility and uses a wheelchair.
In the quest for comfort in the bathroom for elderly people, furniture plays an important role. The furniture incorporated should have easy access to facilitate movement. In this sense, it is advisable to use furniture with drawers instead of doors, which take up more space. Additionally, the height of the shelves should be considered to ensure they are accessible: they cannot be placed too high, as this would force the person to stretch too much or use an accessory that could cause a fall, nor too low, as it would require bending down and negatively impact the knees.

H3 Risks of a non-adapted bathroom

The main risk of a bathroom not adapted for reduced mobility is falls due to slipping or loss of balance. In fact, falls in bathrooms are the most common accidents for elderly people in their homes. The problem with these falls is the injuries they can cause, ranging from hip fractures to brain injuries, which result in a significant loss of quality of life for older adults.

A common fall occurs due to slipping when the floor is wet, which is why it is recommended to install non-slip flooring. Falls can also happen from a loss of balance when performing movements such as entering the bathtub, getting up from the toilet, or reaching for bathroom cabinets. This highlights the need to address these elements when adapting the bathroom for elderly people.

H3 Benefits of accessible renovations

An accessible bathroom allows elderly people and those with reduced mobility to use it safely, which greatly impacts their quality of life. With an accessible bathroom, they can maintain their autonomy and privacy when performing personal hygiene, and if caregiver assistance is needed, it also makes their work easier.
The installation of adapted showers for people with reduced mobility, raised toilets, support bars, or sinks with space to access with a wheelchair helps improve the quality of life for individuals who can stay in their homes safely.

H3 Showers adapted for elderly people

It is essential that showers adapted for elderly people are installed at floor level, meaning there should be no step or unevenness to access them. The shower tray should be extra-flat and made of a non-slip material, such as resin.

The showers should have grab bars or support bars so the person can hold on, and a seat, which is safer if it is fixed inside the shower. The faucet should be installed at a comfortable height, appropriate to the person's stature.

The shower screen in an adapted bathroom for elderly people must open fully to allow access with a walker or wheelchair. It can be a sliding door or a hinged one, but it should provide enough space for easy entry.

Avoid placing rugs on the floor that could hinder movement and cause trips and falls for elderly people.
If you're considering remodeling the bathroom, consult with specialists who can advise you on the improvements you can make and provide a budget estimate.