Some bathroom remodeling projects are primarily about updating finishes or modernizing an outdated space. This bathroom remodel in Manlius became something much more personal than that.
Bob and Elaine had talked for years about eventually remodeling their master bathroom. Like many couples, their life simply got busy. Other projects took priority, the bathroom still functioned reasonably well, and the remodel kept getting pushed further down the list.
Then their situation changed unexpectedly.
After Elaine experienced a decline in health that ultimately confined her to a wheelchair, the existing bathroom no longer worked for everyday life. Simple routines that most people take for granted had become frustrating and difficult. Getting into the shower was cumbersome. The oversized garden tub was nearly impossible to use safely. Even maneuvering comfortably around the vanity had become a challenge.
At that point, the remodel was no longer just about aesthetics. The goal became creating a bathroom that restored comfort, accessibility, independence, and dignity without making the room feel clinical or institutional.
The original layout created several major problems. The existing shower was only 48″ wide and featured a pony wall with a custom glass pivot door. While attractive years ago, the swinging glass door had become difficult for Elaine to operate from a wheelchair and frequently leaked water onto the floor. The original shower pan was also fairly tall, making entry and exit increasingly difficult.
Adjacent to the shower sat a massive 72″ garden tub positioned beneath a picture window. Bob explained that the tub had probably only been used once or twice in the ten years they had lived in the home. Like many oversized garden tubs from that era, it consumed an enormous amount of floor space while offering very little practical functionality. In this particular case, removing the oversized tub would dramatically improve functionality and ease of movement throughout the room. We discuss this topic in greater detail in our article on whether removing a bathtub hurts resale value in Syracuse, NY.
The vanity area presented another challenge entirely. Although the existing 72″ double vanity was still in good condition, there was no realistic way for Elaine to comfortably use it from a seated position. The drawer banks completely blocked wheelchair access beneath the countertop, and even routine tasks like sitting down to get ready in the morning had become frustrating.
The plan for the remodel was ambitious from the start.
Many older homes throughout Manlius, NY were never originally designed with long-term accessibility or wheelchair maneuverability in mind, which often requires substantial layout redesign during reconstruction. The bathroom would have to be completely gutted and redesigned around accessibility, maneuverability, and long-term comfort.
We removed the existing shower, garden tub, vanity, flooring, toilet, and all wallboard throughout the room with the exception of the ceiling. Taking the bathroom completely down to the framing allowed the entire space to be reimagined properly rather than trying to work around the limitations of the original layout.
One of the biggest changes involved eliminating the original toilet location entirely to create a far more open floor plan. The shower footprint could then expand substantially from the cramped 48″ enclosure to a fully custom 72″ wide by 36″ deep open-concept walk-in shower.
Accessibility remodeling is rarely as simple as adding a few grab bars or widening an opening. Wheelchair-accessible bathroom remodeling requires careful consideration of turning radius, fixture positioning, knee clearance, shower entry design, and how the homeowner physically moves throughout the space every day. In this case, nearly every major component of the room had to be redesigned with long-term accessibility and independence in mind.
Lead installer Vincent Aponte (“Vinny”) headed this project over the course of just over three weeks, during which the bathroom was completely gutted and rebuilt around the homeowners’ long-term needs. As with many fully custom bathroom remodeling projects, reconstruction came with several unexpected challenges that had to be solved along the way.
One of the larger complications involved relocating existing HVAC ductwork hidden beneath the floor system in the basement below. Because the new layout required relocating plumbing fixtures and opening up whole sections of the room for better accessibility, portions of the plumbing system had to be carefully rerouted around existing ductwork that limited where certain lines could realistically be placed.
Note: Projects like this rarely unfold exactly as they appear on paper once walls and floors are opened up, especially in older homes where plumbing, framing, and mechanical systems have been modified over decades. Homeowners are often surprised by how quickly projects involving layout redesign, plumbing relocation, custom cabinetry, and accessibility considerations can grow expenses beyond a simple shower replacement. We discuss this in greater detail in our 2026 Syracuse bathroom remodeling cost guide.
Once reconstruction was complete, attention shifted toward building a bathroom that not only functioned properly for accessibility, but also felt warm, open, and visually cohesive. The shower area became the centerpiece of the entire remodel, balancing accessibility, ease of use, and a clean open appearance that dramatically changed how the room felt.
Instead of another cumbersome shower door system, the new layout utilized a single fixed glass panel with a large 36″ walk-in entry on the left-hand side. The opposite side of the shower remained open with a low pony wall configuration, helping the room feel significantly larger and easier to navigate from a wheelchair.
Eliminating the traditional swinging shower door also removed one of the biggest everyday frustrations for Elaine, creating a much easier and safer entry point from a seated position.
For the wet space, Bob and Elaine selected The Onyx Collection “Breeze” cultured stone wall panels in the increasingly popular shiplap pattern with matching silver accents throughout the enclosure. The wall panels measure approximately 5/16″ thick and were paired with a low-threshold shower base measuring roughly 1.25″ in height, considerably improving ease of entry compared to the original setup.
A recessed Liberty Tower niche was installed neatly between existing studs to maximize storage space without intruding into the shower itself. An additional glide bar and safety bar combination was also installed so the handheld shower wand could function both as an independent use feature and a practical shower mount when needed.
The plumbing system was fully modernized during reconstruction as well. This installation featured an American Standard RU531 Flash rough-in valve system, a dual-control setup that separates temperature selection from accessory selection. In this case, the homeowners opted for both a rain shower head and a handheld wand configuration for maximum flexibility and ease of use. Curious what actually separates premium shower valve systems from builder-grade options? Read our write-up comparing American Standard, Delta, and Moen shower valve systems.
Outside the wet space, we installed Tarkett ProGen luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring in the “Arabescato Illusion” pattern. Waterproof luxury vinyl flooring products are often an excellent choice for aging-in-place and accessibility-focused bathroom remodels because they provide durability, lower maintenance requirements, and improved slip resistance compared to many traditional flooring materials.
Another major improvement involved relocating the toilet to the opposite side of the bathroom entry. This significantly improved maneuverability throughout the room and created far easier wheelchair access. A dedicated safety bar was installed adjacent to the toilet so Elaine could transfer independently and safely.
The vanity area ultimately became one of the most customized portions of the entire remodel.
The original 72″ vanity was replaced with a fully custom 90″ double sink vanity specifically designed around wheelchair accessibility. The final configuration included a 30″ vanity cabinet on the left, a custom knee drawer section in the center, and another 30″ vanity cabinet on the right. The drawer banks were mirrored outward to preserve storage while still maintaining an accessible center section beneath the countertop.
The cabinetry was sourced from the Fabuwood Allure Galaxy Collection and featured real hardwood construction, soft-close doors and drawers, and dovetail joinery throughout.
Ironically, one of the larger hiccups during the project ended up improving the final result.
The cabinetry was accidentally ordered in the wrong color, an issue that was entirely our responsibility, and the cost was not passed on to the homeowners. However, once they saw the original vanity layout in person, they realized the initial configuration would not have been nearly as functional for long-term wheelchair use as they had first imagined.
When the cabinetry was reordered, we worked directly with the manufacturer to create a custom vanity height with approximately 27″ of clearance beneath the knee drawer section. This allowed Elaine to comfortably wheel herself underneath the countertop while still being able to naturally rest her elbows on the vanity top while getting ready.
The finished vanity top was fabricated from custom silver Onyx cultured stone at 1 1/2″ thickness and featured undermount ceramic Venetian sinks paired with matching brushed nickel American Standard Rumson fixtures.
To maximize storage without sacrificing daily functionality, we also added a fully custom 36″W × 96″H × 12″D matching linen cabinet adjacent to the vanity.
Originally, we attempted to preserve and reinstall the homeowners’ existing mirror. Unfortunately, the glass cracked during reinstallation, something that occasionally happens with oversized mirrors that have been adhered to drywall for many years. Rather than compromising the finished space, we worked with Liverpool Mirror & Glass to source a brand-new custom-sized replacement panel that fit the redesigned bathroom even better than the original. We would recommend them to any homeowner looking for a custom glass option.
Three new vanity lights were installed above the mirror, and electrical outlets throughout the room were relocated to better suit the updated layout and cabinetry configuration.
As a finishing touch, Bob and Elaine requested that all visible sides of the pony wall be wrapped in matching cultured stone panels. It was a small detail, but it tied the entire room together beautifully and made the finished bathroom feel much more intentional and complete. New wallpaper was installed throughout the room, adding warmth and personality back into the newly remodeled space.
Like many highly customized remodeling projects, this bathroom required several adjustments and return visits along the way. Accessibility-focused remodeling often evolves during construction as homeowners physically interact with the space and discover what works best for their daily routines. What mattered most was taking the time to get the final result right.
By the end of the project, the bathroom was not only dramatically more functional, it had become one of Elaine’s favorite rooms in the house.
At final walkthrough, Bob laughed and told us:
“I’m going to get sick of hearing her say, ‘The bathroom is so beautiful.’”
Honestly, that is exactly the outcome we hope for on projects like this.
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Considering a Handicap-Accessible Bathroom Remodel in Manlius or Syracuse, NY?
At Bath Pros, we specialize in fully custom bathroom remodeling projects throughout Central New York, including wheelchair-accessible showers, aging-in-place bathroom renovations, custom vanity systems, and walk-in shower remodeling.
Every accessibility remodel is different. Some homeowners need barrier-free shower entry, others require custom vanity heights, relocated plumbing fixtures, wider walkways, or improved maneuverability throughout the room. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Every bathroom is designed around how the homeowner actually lives and uses the space every day. Call us today at (315) 217-1151 for a honest conversation about your needs.