If you want to make your shower safer, a few well-chosen changes can prevent slips and falls. Whether you are planning ahead or helping a parent in Charlotte, NC, here are eight practical ways to build a safer shower with a walk-in shower remodel.
1. Replace the step-over with a low-threshold entry
Stepping over a tub wall is a common trip hazard. A tub-to-shower conversion turns it into an easy walk-in.
2. Add grab bars in the right places
Bars by the entry, on the back wall and near the seat give you something solid to hold. They need to be anchored into real blocking. See our grab bar placement guide.
3. Include a seat
A bench or fold-down seat lets you rest. Read our shower seating guide.
4. Choose slip-resistant flooring
The shower floor should give traction when it is wet and soapy.
5. Swap the curtain for a glass door
A curtain can cling and tangle. A sliding or hinged glass door is easier to manage and keeps water in.
6. Use a handheld shower head
It lets you rinse while seated and reduces reaching and twisting.
7. Keep everything within reach
Built-in shelves keep shampoo and soap off the floor and within easy reach.
8. Light the space well and keep it easy to clean
Good lighting helps you see the floor, and seamless acrylic walls mean less scrubbing and less soap film underfoot. See how to clean acrylic shower walls.
Put it together in one project
Most of these features come together in a single walk-in shower project, often finished in 1 to 2 days. See our shower safety features page and our accessible bathroom remodel options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest type of shower?
A walk-in shower with a low threshold, grab bars, a seat, slip-resistant flooring and a glass door is a very safe combination.
How much does it cost to make a shower safer?
Our simple conversions with a couple of grab bars and a low step run roughly $8,000 to $10,000, and added features raise the price. See our cost guide.