With an estimated 24% of people in the UK living with a disability of some kind, it’s no surprise that homes need to be adapted to ensure they’re suitable living spaces.

Queue the adaptations specialist. Most UK homes haven’t been constructed with accessibility in mind, and many adaptations require professional input. 

The blocker? Adapting a house can be pricey and take a while to complete. 

Thankfully, there are smaller, more wallet-friendly adaptations that can be made. Here’s our guide to affordable home adaptation solutions.

Assessing Your Needs

Every disability is different, and every person experiences their disability differently. That means that the adaptations that work for some might not for others. 

When considering home adaptation solutions, you must start by assessing the home and the needs you have. What areas of the property need attention? Occupational Therapists will help with this task. After an in-depth assessment, they will make referrals for the major adaptations and can suggest affordable home adaptation solutions that you can do yourself or hire someone to carry out. 

What Are Affordable Home Adaptations?

Affordable home adaptation solutions include…

Stability Aids

From perch stools to grab rails, and shower seats to walking frames, the role of a stability aid is to provide support and alleviate stress for individuals who have trouble standing or walking. 

Lighting

Efficient lighting can transform a space from unsafe and inaccessible to comfortable and easily manoeuvrable. 

Mobility & Access

How easy is it for individuals with reduced mobility to gain access to and move around within the home? Can they get to different floors without experiencing pain and discomfort? Affordable home adaptation solutions can be installed to help with these elements.

Safety

Ensuring individuals are safe at home is a top priority. Affordable home adaptation solutions might be easier on the bank balance, but they don’t overlook wellbeing.

Comfort

A limited range of movement can make many home tasks difficult and cause strain on the body. Home adaptations are designed to increase comfort across the board, making home life easier and more enjoyable. 

The Bathroom

There are tons of affordable home adaptation solutions. Let’s start in the bathroom.

Affordable bathroom adaptations include…

Grab Rails

Grab rails are cheap to buy and even cheaper to install because they are an easy DIY project. Coming in different materials and finishes to suit all bathrooms, grab rails are typically installed next to the toilet, sink and shower to help with tasks that require standing, raising and lowering.

Toilet

Conventional WCs are too low to be used comfortably when you have limited mobility. Swapping in a wall-hung toilet, or one that sits higher, makes it easier for individuals to sit down and rise from the seat. 

Sink

Wheelchair users can struggle to use the bathroom sink due to the lack of legroom underneath. A modular sink that is hung from the wall, especially a shallow one, improves this element of personal care for people with reduced mobility.

Shower

The typical home shower has a tray, and the lip of this tray can be a serious trip hazard for people with limited mobility. Accessible showers, where the floor of the shower sits flush with the floor of the bathroom, are much safer.

Shower Stool

For people who struggle to stand for long periods, consider purchasing a shower stool. These waterproof seats provide a place of rest whilst washing and can be folded up out of the way for easy storage.

Non-Slip Flooring

Tiles and other flooring options can pose a serious risk of slipping for people who aren’t steady. Affordable home adaptation solutions in this arena include non-slip vinyl.

Sensor Lighting

Bathrooms that include motion sensor lighting systems are safer to move around in and don’t require users to fiddle around with or locate light pulls.

Lever Taps

Regular taps can be unmanageable for users with a reduced range of movement. Instead, lever taps require much lower dexterity levels and can be more comfortable to use. 

The Kitchen

There are plenty of affordable home adaptation solutions that can improve the quality of life in the kitchen, too.

Kettle Tipper

Kettle tippers are pieces of kit that hold your existing kettle, enabling the user to tip the kettle rather than lift it to pour it. This reduces both the effort required and the risk of hot water spills. 

 

Shallow Sink

Cutlery and crockery that sinks to the bottom of deep sinks can be impossible to get hold of if you use a wheelchair or need to be seated whilst washing up. A shallow sink can be installed for easier access.

Perching Stool

Several kitchen tasks, like preparing food or stirring a cooking meal, require individuals to stand for long periods. This can cause a strain on the body. Perch stools hold users in a near-standing position so that they can rest if standing becomes too much.

 

Cupboard Storage

Making cupboard foods more accessible could be as simple as reorganising their position to be more easily reachable. Many homeowners also choose to fix drop-down baskets into higher cupboards so that users can access dry goods without the risk of them falling. 

Under Cabinet Lighting

LED spotlights or striplights installed under wall cabinets help to highlight tasks that often require high levels of concentration, like food preparation.

Smart Speaker

Smart home hubs that react to voice commands can make life a breeze in the kitchen. From collating shopping lists to setting timers and reminders, smart speakers simplify daily life.

The Bedroom

Wondering what changes can be made in the bedroom that don’t cost an arm and a leg? Have a look at these suggestions…

Bed Risers

Bed risers are supports that elevate a bed. Raising a bed can make it more comfortable for users to lower themselves into and rise out of.

Touch And Voice Controlled Lamps

Touch lamps eliminate the dexterity required to operate a fiddly switch, and voice-controlled lamps – or, indeed, the use of a smart home hub that incorporates voice commands – offer sheer convenience. 

Motorised Window Coverings

Blinds, curtains and shutters can all be installed in a motorised form, enabling users to open and close them using a remote control or smartphone app.

Commode

Commode toilets are portable, non-flushing toilets that can be used by individuals unable to get to the bathroom. 

Outdoors

Getting outside provides many benefits, including improved mental and emotional well-being. Here are some affordable home adaptation solutions that can be introduced to your outdoor spaces.

Raised Flowerbeds

Building raised beds that are easy to reach whilst in a seated position provides users with an opportunity to connect to nature and take pride in their gardens.

Patios And Decking

For a low-maintenance outside space, consider installing a patio or wooden decking. Once in place, these flooring solutions require minimal maintenance. 

Artificial Grass

Want a low-maintenance garden that still features greenery? Artificial grass might be the answer. With no mowing required, artificial grass is easy to look after and more wheelchair friendly.

Lighting

Lighting up outdoor pathways ensures travel is as safe as can be for people living with reduced mobility. 

Temporary Ramps

To improve access to the home, a ramp for the front or back door might be required. Concrete and modular ramps can be costly, but a temporary ramp might do the job, and there are several different types out there. You can read more about ramps in this blog. 

 

Home Adaptations Don’t Have To Break The Bank

These affordable home adaptation solutions should go some way to making your home a comfortable and safe place to be. 

Not sure where to start? Wondering what financial support might be available to help with adaptation costs? Get in touch and see our website to find out more about us.