Accessible Bathroom Design: Where to Install Grab Bars
Bathrooms are among the most hazardous rooms in the home, grab bars provide essential stability, helping prevent slips and falls for older adults, those recovering from surgery, or anyone with mobility challenges. In Rhode Island, where one in three adults over 65 experience a fall every year and many injuries occur at home, installing properly placed grab bars can be transformative.
At Oakley Home Access, we specialize in grab bar installation across Massachusetts and Connecticut, offering safe, code‑compliant installations tailored to each home. Read on to see where grab bars belong, how to avoid common mistakes, and why local experience matters.
What Are Grab Bars and Why They Matter
Grab bars are sturdy support handles installed on walls to help users stabilize, stand, sit, or transfer without losing balance. Most bathroom injuries, especially among seniors ,are caused by slips while bathing or at the toilet (over 80 %).
According to the Department of Health, falls remain a leading cause of hospitalization among older adults. Installing grab bars near key spots significantly reduces that risk. These fixtures promote independence, reduce caregiver strain, and offer peace of mind to families.
Types of Grab Bars for Bathrooms
1. Horizontal bars
Ideal beside toilets to assist with sitting and rising, typically 33″ above the floor.
2. Vertical bars
Helpful near shower entrances or at tub edges to provide a steady handhold.
3. Angled or diagonal bars
Often installed between vertical and horizontal to facilitate pulling up from a seated position.
Finishes matter,stainless steel offers durability and grip, while knurled textures help even wet hands maintain control. Decorative finishes are available too, blending style with safety.
Where to Install Grab Bars
Near the Toilet
Install a 36‑ to 42‑inch horizontal grab bar on the side wall, and optionally a shorter one behind. Typical height is about 33 inches from the floor to the top of the bar. This placement helps many older Rhode Island clients avoid common injuries when standing or sitting.
Inside the Shower or Tub
Place both a vertical grab bar near the entry point and a horizontal grab bar on the rear wall. This dual design supports balance when standing and safe entry/exit. One recent Narragansett homeowner commented: “I would never have made it into the walk‑in shower without that bar.”
Outside the Shower or Tub
Mount a vertical bar just outside the shower to assist with stepping in or out, especially important for clients in Bristol and South County areas who transition in and out of tubs daily.
Along Key Bathroom Walls or Hallways
Sometimes clients need extra support moving from sink to shower or navigating tight spaces. A short grab bar on the wall adjacent to the sink or hallway adds a helpful security.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mounting grab bars too high or too low: Bars placed more than 36 inches above the floor or below 30 inches reduce effectiveness.
- Using towel bars as support: Towel racks are not anchored for weight and can fail catastrophically.
- DIY without proper anchors: Installing into drywall or tile alone can lead to failure. Bars must anchor into studs or secure wall blocking.
- Skipping professional assessment: Clients occasionally underestimate where falls occur,they need home safety walkthroughs to uncover high‑risk zones.
Oakley Home Access avoids these mistakes with a free in‑home safety assessment, ADA‑compliant planning, and installation by insured professionals.
How Oakley Home Access Installs Grab Bars Safely
Free Rhode Island Home Safety Assessment
We begin with a full walkthrough to identify fall‑risk zones, ask about individual mobility patterns, and recommend the best grab bar types and placements.
Certified, ADA‑compliant Installation
We use grab bars rated to withstand over 250 lbs of force, adhere to ADA spacing standards, and mount directly into wall studs or engineered blocking.
Trusted Local Perspective
As a Narragansett‑based company serving all of Rhode Island, from Providence to Newport and South County, our team understands local building codes, VA programs, and Rhode Island Medicaid waiver options. We also source feedback from satisfied local customers and display real testimonials,from Woonsocket retirees to Warwick homeowners.
Real Rhode Island Customer Situations
- Elder client in Middletown: after hip surgery, a client requested grab bars inside and outside the shower. Our team installed vertical and horizontal bars, and the client regained confidence in daily bathing within a week.
- Veteran in Providence: after using wheelchair ramps and a stairlift installed by Oakley Home Access, they opted for grab bars near the toilet and sink. With these additions, they reported feeling entirely independent in their own bathroom.
- Senior couple in Newport: wanted aesthetically pleasing fixtures. We installed satin stainless grab bars that complement their decor while maintaining full ADA strength. They appreciated our balance of function and design.
Contact Oakley Home Access for Grab Bar Installation Service Now!
Installing properly placed grab bars in your bathroom is one of the most effective ways to reduce fall risk and support independence, especially for those aged 65 and older here in Rhode Island. With over 80 % of bathroom injuries attributable to falls and many cases requiring hospitalization, proactive safety investments pay off in peace of mind and quality of life.
Oakley Home Access is your local expert in grab bar installation and accessible bathroom design. If you’re ready to make your home safer for yourself or a loved one, we offer:
- Free in‑home safety assessments
- ADA‑compliant, stud‑anchored grab bar installation
- Locally trusted service across Rhode Island
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward a safer, more accessible bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where should grab bars be installed in a bathroom?
A: Ideally near the toilet, inside and just outside the shower or tub, and along walls where balance is needed.
Q: Can grab bars be installed in tile or fiberglass showers?
A: Yes,professionally, using anchors or blocking designed for those surfaces. Oakley Home Access uses proper tools and techniques to secure bars into studs or reinforced backing.
Q: Are grab bars covered by insurance, Medicare, or VA in Rhode Island?
A: Coverage varies by provider. Many clients qualify for VA benefits or Medicaid waiver programs. We can help guide you through local options.
Q: Do grab bars have to be installed into studs?
A: Yes. For safety, bars must anchor into studs or use approved wall reinforcement. Drywall or plaster alone is insufficient; steel toggles or reinforced backing are used when studs are not available.