Quick answer: Aging-in-place remodeling means designing your kitchen and bathroom so they stay safe and easy to use as you get older. In the bathroom, the biggest upgrades are a curbless or low-threshold shower, grab bars with wall blocking, a handheld shower, a built-in bench and a comfort-height toilet. In the kitchen, drawers, pull-out shelves, a waist-height oven and better lighting make the most difference. These features cost far less to build into a remodel you are already doing than to add later.
Most people want to stay in the home they love for as long as they can. The rooms that decide whether that is possible are almost always the kitchen and the bathroom. A high tub wall, a dark hallway to the bathroom or a cabinet you have to kneel to reach can turn into a real problem after a fall or a surgery. As a Chicago kitchen and bath remodeling company, we plan these features into kitchen and bath remodels, and the best results come from planning them before they are needed. This guide walks through each room, what each feature costs, and what to ask before you start.
Why Plan Before You Need It
Aging-in-place features are cheapest and look best when they are part of the original design. Wood blocking for grab bars costs very little when the walls are open and a lot more once new tile is up. A curbless shower requires the floor to be recessed and sloped, which is a normal step in a full bathroom gut and a major project on its own.
There is also a design benefit. Features planned from the start look intentional: matching grab bars, a tiled bench, frameless glass. Features added in a hurry after an injury often look clinical. As we explain in why to build a curbless shower before you need one, accessibility should never be the part of the budget that gets cut.
Aging-in-Place Bathroom Features
The bathroom is one of the most common places for falls at home, so it is the first room to plan.
| Feature | Why it helps | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Curbless or low-threshold shower | No step to trip over, and room for a shower chair or walker | Needs a recessed, sloped floor, so plan it during a full bath remodel |
| Grab bars with wall blocking | Support getting in and out of the shower and up from the toilet | Install blocking now even if bars come later; ADA guidelines place them 33 to 36 inches high |
| Handheld shower on a slide bar | Lets you shower while seated and adjust the height | Pair it with a fixed head for everyday use |
| Built-in shower bench | A safe place to sit while bathing | Tile it to match the walls so it looks built in, not added on |
| Comfort-height toilet | Easier to sit down and stand up | Seat height of about 17 to 19 inches |
| Slip-resistant tile | Reduces slips on wet floors | Choose a matte or textured finish, and smaller tiles in the shower pan for more grout grip |
| Lever handles and pressure-balance valves | Easy to operate and protects against sudden hot water | Levers are easier than knobs for hands with arthritis |
| Wider doorway | Room for a walker or wheelchair | ADA guidelines call for at least 32 inches of clear width |
| Layered lighting | Better visibility at night and in the shower | Add a low-level night light and a wet-rated shower light |
A walk-in or curbless shower is the centerpiece of most aging-in-place bathrooms. See our walk-in shower installation and tub-to-shower conversions for options.
Tub or Shower?
For many people, stepping over a tub wall is the hardest part of bathing, so converting a tub to a walk-in shower is the most common aging-in-place change. If your home has more than one bathroom, a good approach is to convert the most-used bath to a shower and keep at least one tub elsewhere for resale and for anyone who still prefers to soak. Our guide to when a tub-to-shower conversion is the right call walks through the decision.
Aging-in-Place Kitchen Features
In the kitchen, the goal is to keep everything you use often between knee and shoulder height, and to make the space easy to move through.
| Feature | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Drawers instead of lower doors | No kneeling to reach the back of a cabinet |
| Pull-out and pull-down shelves | Brings stored items to you |
| Wall oven or microwave drawer at waist height | No lifting hot dishes from floor level or overhead |
| A lower counter section | Lets you prep while seated; standard counters are 36 inches high |
| Lever or touch faucet | Easier on hands and wrists |
| Wider walkways | Room to move with a walker or cart; 42 inches is a common minimum for a work aisle |
| Under-cabinet and task lighting | Clear light on the counter where you cut and cook |
| D-shaped pulls instead of knobs | Easier to grip |
Cabinetry does most of the work here. With custom kitchen cabinets, we can size drawers, pull-outs and counter heights to the people who will actually use the kitchen.
Small Changes Throughout the Home
- Flush transitions between flooring types, so there is no lip to catch a foot
- Rocker light switches, which are easier to press than toggles
- Lighting on the path from the bedroom to the bathroom
- Lever door handles instead of round knobs
- Outlets raised slightly higher so you do not have to bend as far
What Aging-in-Place Remodeling Costs in Chicago
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Walk-in shower | $8,000 to $20,000 (curbless costs more) |
| Full bath gut in the same footprint | $18,000 to $35,000 |
| Primary bathroom remodel | $40,000 to $90,000 |
| Mid-range kitchen remodel | $25,000 to $50,000 |
| Moving plumbing | $1,500 to $5,000 |
Building aging-in-place features into a bathroom or kitchen you are already remodeling usually adds far less than doing them as separate projects later. Our guide to bathroom remodel costs in Chicago has the full breakdown.
Permits
Changing plumbing, electrical or walls usually requires a permit. Our Chicago remodeling permit guide explains which kitchen and bathroom projects need one, and we pull the permits on every project we build.
How AMG Proline Plans an Aging-in-Place Remodel
- A walkthrough focused on daily routines. We ask how you use the room today and what is getting harder.
- 3D designs before construction, so you can see where the bench, grab bars and storage will go.
- Materials you can touch at our Crestwood showroom, including slip-resistant tile and hardware finishes.
- Our own glass and shower door division for frameless enclosures sized to a curbless shower.
- A fixed, written price before you sign, with a free in-home measure and estimate.
We have been remodeling Chicago kitchens and bathrooms since 2000. See our bathroom remodeling services and kitchen remodeling services for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aging in place mean in a remodel?
It means designing your kitchen and bathroom so you can keep living in your home safely and comfortably as your needs change. Common features include curbless showers, grab bars, comfort-height toilets, lever handles, better lighting and storage you can reach without bending or climbing.
When should I plan for aging in place?
The best time is during a remodel you are already doing. Adding wall blocking for grab bars or building a curbless shower costs far less when the walls and floor are already open than it does as a separate project later.
How much does a curbless or walk-in shower cost in Chicago?
Walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions typically run $8,000 to $20,000. Curbless showers cost more because the floor has to be recessed and sloped so water stays in the shower without a curb.
Do grab bars have to look institutional?
No. Grab bars now come in finishes that match your faucet and towel bars, and some double as towel bars or shelves. Installing wood blocking behind the wall during the remodel lets you put them exactly where you need them.
What height should grab bars be?
ADA guidelines place horizontal grab bars 33 to 36 inches above the floor. Many homeowners use these guidelines as a starting point and adjust placement for the people who will use the bathroom.
What is a comfort-height toilet?
A comfort-height toilet has a seat about 17 to 19 inches from the floor, close to chair height. It is easier to sit down on and stand up from than a standard toilet.
Should I remove my only bathtub?
Think carefully. If your home has more than one bathroom, a common approach is to convert the most-used tub to a walk-in shower and keep at least one tub elsewhere. Our guide to walk-in showers vs. bathtubs covers the trade-offs.
What kitchen changes help most with aging in place?
Drawers instead of lower cabinet doors, pull-out shelves, a wall oven or microwave drawer at a comfortable height, lever faucets, bright under-cabinet lighting, and a section of counter low enough to use while seated.
How wide should doorways be for a wheelchair?
ADA guidelines call for at least 32 inches of clear width through a doorway. Widening a bathroom door during a remodel is much easier than doing it later.
Will aging-in-place features hurt resale value?
Well-designed features usually look like good design, not medical equipment. A curbless shower with frameless glass, matching grab bars and good lighting appeals to buyers of every age.
Do aging-in-place remodels need a permit?
Many do, especially when plumbing, electrical or walls are changing. See our room-by-room permit guide for Chicago kitchen and bath projects. We pull the permits on every project we build.
Can you see aging-in-place options before deciding?
Yes. We show your layout in 3D before construction, and you can see tile, fixtures and finishes in person at our Crestwood showroom.
Plan Your Aging-in-Place Remodel
Visit our showroom at 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood, IL 60418, call (708) 979-3298, or request a free quote online. We are open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 7 PM, and every project starts with a free in-home measure and estimate.
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