Think about the bathrooms and powder rooms in your home – where does your mind go? They are an extremely personal place where we refresh and renew ourselves. Regardless of where your thoughts wandered, safety probably wasn’t the first thing that came to mind. Other than having a bathroom that is aesthetically pleasing, you also need to consider function and safety in your design plans. Follow these tips to ensure your bathroom is a safe space:

• Place slip-resistant mats in your shower. Slips and falls due to wet floors are the primary accidents that happen in the bathroom. To avoid this, get mats with a rubber backing for the floor and consider a mat with a suction cup backing for the shower. This makes your shower safe for people of all ages to use. 
• Install grab bars near the tub. Grab bars are also a way to prevent injury from happening. This provides something for you to grasp on to if a slip or fall were to occur. These are especially important if you live with senior citizens or those prone to slip-and-fall accidents. Traditionally, grab bars were seen as an eyesore, but you can find a variety of makes and models now that will pair well with your other bathroom decor.
• Use mildew resistant paint on the walls. Bathrooms are especially prone to mildew, making mildew-resistant paint vital when it comes to your bathroom design choices. This paint is specially designed to ensure mildew doesn’t form. Stopping mildew before it begins to grow is much easier than trying to treat it when it is already present. Morristown, NJ painters recommend Sherwin Williams line of mildew resistant paints for the best protection. 
• Swap old outlets with GFCI outlets. To prevent electrical shock, install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all outlets, switches, and light fixtures. These outlets are designed to monitor the electricity that flows to a circuit. When they sense any loss of current, the outlet shuts off to prevent electrical shock from occurring. GFCI outlets are vital in any areas where moisture is present. Be sure to contact a professional for installation and code requirements if you are unsure. 
• Light up the space. Make sure your bathroom is well lit especially if there are no windows that let natural light in. When everything is clearly visible, avoiding accidents becomes that much simpler. For night time hours, plug in a night light that can provide visibility.
• Choose door hardware with dual sided locks. Whether you’re in the market for a new bathroom door or you want to make sure your existing model is safe, check that the hardware has a lock that can be unlocked from both sides. With this kind of hardware in place, you can easily assist someone if an accident were to occur in a locked bathroom.
  
  Follow these simple yet safe design ideas to prevent any accidents from happening. For more safe design ideas contact Angela Rowe, a professional Marion, IL interior decorator.