Hi everyone!
I’m currently a student at UCL who wants to redesign the shower chair. Recently, my mum (45) has admitted that she needs one but can’t find a product that isn’t ugly and ‘medical’. I’d love to hear from anyone who uses a shower chair: What are the features that are important to you? Which changes would you make? How does the look of your mobility aid affect you?
For a good selection of products from a variety of retailers, look on Living Made Easy and select the tab for >Health and Personal Care > Bathing & Toileting. It’s an impartial site run by a charity so you’ll be able to see everything that’s currently on offer.
Hi Elio
Good intention - products for disabilities are universally ugly, since designers are only interested in making something practical. That’s understandable, and puts huge constraints on aesthetics. So part of what makes a chair look good is the material - wood and fabric are most attractive. But a shower chair needs to be waterproof, so that means plastic and metal. They’re also usually height adjustable, which will prevent clean lines. But it could work to take some design classics, like an Eames Eiffel dining chair and adapt it to have arms, non slip feet etc. Having a choice of colours would be nice too, rather than ubiquitous white
Good luck - I’d love to see what you come up with!
Dan
Hi there and welcome to the forum!
I had a shower chair made - it’s stainless steel and looks good enough to leave flapped down. It is, however, not the comfiest seat available so we are having a solid perspex slide made to rest on top of the steel bars.
Hi, I use a shower/commode chair from Social Services. When I go on holiday, their chairs never areas good as my own, so now I take it with me, but it doesnt fold so is cumbersome luggage.
Social Services say they wouldnt deem a folding chair sturdy or safe enough.
So it would be great if you could include a folder in your design.
Thanks
Boudssx
Hi Dan,
Thanks so much for replying! I’ll take a look at the Eames Eiffel dining chair.
Elio
Tried one like this a few years ago and fell off it!
Boudsx
