Considering what adaptations we may need in the future isn’t something on most of our minds.

But for those with accessibility challenges, as well as those who plan to live out their days in their home, it’s wise to think about how the home and its design will serve you in the years to come.

Making changes now means future-proofing your home, reducing the need to make changes down the line, and creating a safe and comfortable home environment now.

Let’s look at what can be done now that will benefit occupants in the long term.

The Importance Of Accessible Design

Accessible design refers to creating environments that are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.

Designing an interior with accessibility in mind ensures it is safe, intuitive and functional for its intended user, regardless of their limitations, age or ability. Three key principles – equitable use, flexibility in use, and simple and intuitive use – are fundamental to creating homes that allow for aging in place and adapting to mobility-related conditions.

Without an accessible home design, an occupant may be left to face the challenges of navigating their non-accessible home as their mobility needs change or health conditions arise or worsen. They may even be unable to stay at home at all.

The emotional benefits of this approach are, therefore, profound. By future-proofing your home now, you limit potential frustration and loss of dignity that may arise from changing needs in an unsuitable home. In an adapted home, individuals can remain independent and navigate everyday tasks with ease. Knowing that a home can accommodate changing needs also provides peace of mind for occupants and their families.

Making changes now is a proactive approach that will spread the cost of adaptations over a longer period. Retrofitting ramps, widening doorways, and building extensions can be costly, especially if the modifications are time-sensitive.

Key Areas To Consider In Home Renovations

Let’s run through the main areas of the home and what can be done.

Entryways & Hallways

Getting into the home itself, and out again, can present challenges for people with reduced mobility. Entryway and hallway accessibility is key to ensuring smooth transitions between outdoor and indoor spaces, as well as safe and comfortable movement throughout the home. 

Thresholds

If there are steps or uneven terrain leading up to the threshold of the home, consider installing an accessibility ramp. From concrete to modular and from fold-up to portable, there are several different types of ramps. Read about them here.

Doorways

Standard doorways aren’t wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through. When planning home renovations with accessible design in mind, widening doorways is a must. And it provides ample benefits now, too, including better light distribution, enhanced aesthetics, improved flow and easier emergency access.

To read more about door widening, click here.

Electrical Sockets

Adding electrical sockets near staircases is a proactive measure that will make installing a stairlift much simpler later if one is required. 

Door Access

Doors with lever handles are easier to manipulate than typical door knobs. Thinking ahead and installing automatic doors or doors with delayed closing is another modification that enhances safety now and promotes home living in the future.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are notoriously hazardous due to moisture-laden air and typically slippery floors.

Showering And Bathing

Shower tray lips and bath edges present a trip risk for many elderly people and those with reduced mobility. 

Level access showers that sit flush with the floor and walk-in baths are a great solution that eliminates this hazard and can be wheelchair-accessible too. Converting a bathroom to a wet room goes a step further to create a fully waterproof room with non-slip flooring that adds kerb appeal now and enhances safety in the face of changing mobility needs. 

Turning a downstairs toilet into a wet room is a project in particular demand in houses where the main bathroom is upstairs. This is because it removes the need to access the bathroom via the stairs, which can become harder to manage and unsafe for older people or those with changing mobility needs. 

Grab Rails

Grab rails are a minor adaptation that can be easily and quickly installed at various places in the bathroom. Users can hold on to, push down on or pull up on grab rails for help navigating the toilet, getting in and out of the bath or standing for long periods. 

Toilets And Sinks

Standard toilets are too low to be used comfortably when your mobility is compromised and can cause discomfort and pain. Height-adjustable toilets, or a toilet that is wall-hung at a higher point, put less strain on the user’s muscles.

Bathroom sinks can also be height-adjustable, making them easier to customise for unique needs. Others have space underneath for the legs of wheelchair users so that they can use the facility properly without twisting and overreaching.

Flooring And Lighting

Non-slip flooring is a must for accessible bathrooms. The texture of the flooring increases grip, reducing the likelihood of trips or falls. Bright overhead lighting, as well as LED strips to highlight landmark facilities like toilets and sinks, supports aging eyes; motion sensor lighting goes a step further and provides both convenience now and safe navigation later. 

Kitchens

Kitchens are often the hub of the home, and making it accessible ensures all occupants – now and in the future – can use it comfortably and safely. 

Worktops

When renovating your home, consider including adjustable or lowered worktops with open under-counter space for your kitchen. Standard countertops are often too high for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users; lower worktops provide easy access for kitchen tasks like preparing food.

Appliances

Making accommodations for standing-height ovens, fridges and microwaves when planning kitchen renovations not only looks stylish but can provide higher levels of autonomy in the kitchen if mobility needs change. This is because bending down and crouching can become painful and unsafe.

Layout

Remember to consider the layout of your kitchen for future use. There may need to be enough room around a kitchen island for a wheelchair or walking aid, for example. Keeping appliances close together can also reduce the need for lots of travel within the space.

Cookers

Forget gas hobs if you’re changing up your kitchen. Electric or induction hobs are the safest option as you age and your needs change. 

Induction hobs work by heating the pan directly, rather than the hob itself. It’s fast and precise but safer, especially for families with children, because the surface doesn’t get hot. 

Storage

Lower-level storage areas will be simpler to reach in the future for wheelchair users. Pull-out drawers, sliding shelves, and lazy Susans can help to make stored goods easier to access. 

Open shelves provide easy visuals without the need for additional movements that may be uncomfortable.

Sink

Deep sinks can be difficult to reach down into for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Shallow sinks, especially when paired with lever, touch-activated or pull-out taps, make washing dishes and preparing food less physically demanding. 

Living Spaces

Living areas need to be both accessible and adaptable for a range of ages and abilities. An accessible approach to living area design should accommodate current needs as well as evolve with changing needs over time. 

Open Plan

Open floor plans provide spaciousness and light, improving ease of movement throughout the home. This can make living with a wheelchair or mobility aid much easier because there are fewer obstacles and more room to manoeuvre. 

Adaptable Rooms

Having rooms that can be easily changed for different uses or to meet the needs of different individuals means your home can remain functional over the years without the need for major renovations. Common room adaptations include changing a downstairs reception room into a bedroom when stairs become unsafe to navigate.

Gardens

Outside spaces can quickly become hazardous when health and mobility deteriorate. With slopes, uneven ground and obstacles frequenting most gardens, trips and falls are a huge risk.

Paths And Access

Incorporating level, hard-surfaced and wide pathways in your garden design provides a stable surface for future wheelchairs and walking aids. 

For any sloped areas or gardens that feature multiple levels, think about adding accessibility ramps rather than stairs. Ramp gradients should be as gentle as possible for ease of use, and handrails placed alongside ramps add extra support for users with limited strength. 

Raised Planters

Gardening can provide much-needed leisure time for individuals living at home, but bending down to tend to plants can put unnecessary strain on joints and muscles. 

Raised planters and beds that sit at a height of around 24-36 inches make gardening more comfortable and enjoyable. 

Looking for more about accessible gardens? Read this blog. 

Smart Home Technology

Introducing smart home technology can enhance accessibility and improve independence for people with limited mobility. Here are some ways to incorporate technology into your home renovations.

Voice-Activation

Voice-controlled devices like Amazon’s Alexa can operate anything from lighting and thermostats to kitchen appliances. This provides hands-free operation that can be transformational for people with limited dexterity, reduced vision and affected mobility. 

Smart Door Locks

Smart security systems can be managed remotely through apps on smart devices and combined with keyless, app-controlled smart locks to make entry and exit to the home simple. Using smart door locks removes the need for managing or keeping hold of traditional keys.

Automated Blinds

Automated window shading solutions can be linked to smart home hubs and operated with voice commands or scheduled to open and close at specific times. This reduces the need for manual adjustments and also improves a home’s energy efficiency. 

Future-Proof Your Home For Convenience And Accessibility

It’s a smart move to plan for future accessibility needs when carrying out home renovations.

By incorporating thoughtful design choices today, you can create a home that adapts to your changing needs over time, ensuring comfort, safety, and independence for years to come.

Searching for a reliable, friendly home adaptation specialist? Look no further! Get in touch with the John Ford Group today.