Just after I posted the above, I found another post here on aging in place and grab bars. I think the Pickens brand there looks decent and not so clunky. Wish I would have known about signature hardware earlier. Funny how they don't show up on google "grab bar" searches. Well at least I hadn't pulled the trigger on the bar next to the toilet. I like the one below much better though it seems a bit long.

{{gwi:1488366}}

I think it was the ADA bathroom thread on here where there are some nice looking grab bars. They blend in decently well. One was a TP holder grab bar for next to the toilet if I remember correctly.

I've linked the other thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: aging in place thread

elphaba, I like the 1st one you posted. The reason that the 2nd one doesn't look so "chuncky" is because it is longer - so the length to the diameter ratio is different. This is a guess. But the 2 contacts vs 3 contacts tells me that the one with 3 contacts is longer. From what I have noticed is that grab bars are pretty standard in diameter. I think months ago I saw that there was a web site with different sized diameter bars. But that was atypical in my searches.

I bought 2 Kohler grab bars, 1 for my bathtub, and the other for use as my towel bar. They are in polished stainless. They are very pretty in my opinion. Not fancy shaped, just a pretty shinny chrome color in stainless.

I like the longer one. I can tell ya I'd have loved to have had something like that yrs back when I broke my knee cap. That was pure H to sit down and to get up.

with the longer one you have some room to move your hand up and use it to help pull yourself up.

elphaba, I misread your statement about the "chunkiness" with regards to the bars. I think Desertsteph has good point about the length. Good luck in your search.