By Elmira Magomedova, Creative Designer at Altro
For healthcare specifiers and designers, creating accessible bathrooms and wet rooms that meet compliance requirements while delivering an attractive, welcoming environment can often feel like a balancing act.
Research shows that healthcare design can have a significant impact on patient wellbeing, staff satisfaction, and the overall user experience. As healthcare environments evolve, there is growing recognition that practical, hygienic spaces can also be contemporary, calming, and design led.
Designing with visual contrast
Visual contrast is one of the most important considerations when designing healthcare bathrooms and wet rooms. A 30-point LRV difference is also required under Approved Document M of the Building Regulations for adjoining surfaces in new-build and major refurbishment projects. In addition, BS 8300 recommends this level of contrast as best practice to help create more accessible and inclusive environments for everyone. While these requirements are essential, they shouldn't be viewed as a barrier to good design.
Compliance doesn't have to mean clinical
There is often a perception that accessible healthcare design results in stark, institutional spaces. In reality, thoughtful colour selection can achieve the required LRV contrast while creating environments that feel welcoming, premium, and modern.
To demonstrate this, at Altro we've developed a range of healthcare bathroom and wet room concepts that achieve a 30-point LRV difference between Altro walls and floors while showcasing contemporary colour palettes. These designs show how colour can be used confidently within healthcare settings without compromising on accessibility guidance.
From soft, nature-inspired tones to richer accent colours, designers have more flexibility than ever to create spaces that support both wellbeing and compliance.
Looking beyond walls and floors
While achieving the correct contrast between floors and walls is an important starting point, accessibility should be considered holistically.
Ceilings, sanitaryware, grab rails, fixtures, fittings, and accessories all contribute to the usability of a space. Careful consideration of contrast throughout the environment helps ensure clear visual definition and supports the needs of all users.
While our concepts focus on achieving a 30-point LRV difference between Altro walls and floors, we recommend reviewing the LRV values of all surrounding elements to help create a fully accessible healthcare environment.
By combining evidence-based healthcare design principles with thoughtful colour selection and robust product specification, healthcare bathrooms and wet rooms can achieve the ideal balance of accessibility, hygiene, durability, and visual appeal, proving that compliant spaces can still feel clean, contemporary, and inspiring.
You can explore our carefully curated colour combinations for bathrooms and wet rooms developed by the creative team at Altro in our healthcare design manual for bathrooms and wetrooms: www.altro.com/uk/explore-altro/learn-and-engage/brochures/healthcare-design-manual-bathrooms-and-wet-rooms If you need something tailored to your project, get in touch for more support.
