5 Tips on …
How To Make Your Current Home Layout More Accessible
A good home design combines both aesthetics and accessibility. It should be a place where families can feel comfortable and easily access what they need. However, changes throughout our lives can alter what we need from our layout. In some cases, it will need to become more accessible. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your living space more accessible without breaking the bank.
What Is An Accessible Home?
An accessible home is a property that’s modified to offer additional support. Modifications can include a number of changes, including simple layout switches, to specific appliances to support disabilities. With this in mind, here are 5 ways you can make your current home layout more accessible.
1. Plan For Accessibility
Whether you want to make your home layout more accessible for yourself or a family member, planning is key. Start by noting down current accessibility issues within your home. After identifying each problem, you can come up with a solution. Careful planning will help you to work within your budget as well as create a timeframe for modifications to be made. If needed, you can always consult a professional if the task seems too complex
2. Rearrange Your Furniture
This is the cheapest and easiest way to make your layout more accessible. It requires no renovating, and family and friends will be happy to help. Throughout each room in your home, you can rearrange furniture to create a clear path for everyone to move without obstructions
3. Install Ramps
Varying floor levels can be a hindrance to elderly individuals or those living with a disability. This is when ramps and handrails can help. Installing a ramp in your doorway or stairs can instantly make your home more accessible.
When buying ramps there are five different types to consider:
Threshold: Designed for uneven flooring between the inside and outside of your home. This small but sturdy ramp can help to bridge any gaps.
Folding: This short-term option is a great way to solve accessibility issues without having a ramp installed.
Suitcase: This is similar to a folding ramp, though is often lighter and folds up like a suitcase. Permanent:
Permanent ramps are usually made of metal or wood. They require professional installation and can be tailored to the design of your home. In some situations, a permit may be required to install a permanent ramp.
Modular: Modular ramps are specially made to fit unusually shaped areas. They come withmultiple customisable parts and don’t always need professional installation.
4. Make Your Kitchen Accessible
Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. As a result, you need to make sure it’s as accessible as possible. Here are several ways to do that.
4.1. Rearrange Storage Spaces
If you or a family member is struggling to reach the higher cupboards in your kitchen, you can quickly solve the issue by rearranging your storage spaces. Move frequently used items to lower storage locations to ensure everyone can get to them.
4.2. Lower Countertops
If an individual in your home lives with a disability, or age is making it difficult to reach your counters, it may be a good idea to lower them. A professional can move your countertops to a level where they’re easily accessible to everyone in your home.
4.3. Create Space Underneath Sinks
Sinks can cause problems for individuals with mobility limitations. By creating space underneath sinks, individuals can get underneath them to easily access the sink. At MarbleAir, we review each kitchen individually to ensure we can find a solution that suits you.
5. Create An Accessible Bathroom
Much like your kitchen, your bathroom is also a crucial part of your home layout. Here are a few features to consider.
5.1. Accessible Showers
A number of roll-in and curbless showers are available for individuals who struggle with platform changes. These make accessing the shower easy.
5.2. Grab Rails
Grab rails are a great way to guarantee stability in the shower. They should be installed by a professional to ensure safety. There are a number of aesthetically pleasing options on the market, so you don’t have to worry about rails ruining the look of your bathroom.
5.3. Shower Chains
A shower chair is a great tool or an individual who is struggling to stand for the duration of their shower. A number of options are available, including temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent.
Case Study: Remodelling Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune
We recently received an inquiry from a retired couple living in a beautifully covered flint and brick barn. The house had an elongated U-share layout and varying floor levels. However, these levels were becoming an issue as immobility kicked in.
Initially, the couple planned to create a one-room extension on the side of the barn. After carefully analysing the property, we found it was possible to remodel the existing layout instead of creating an extension. This saved our client a considerable amount of time and money while still making their layout more accessible.
The key to any accessibility problem is to think outside of the box. In the long run, there are a number of bespoke solutions that are both more effective and lower cost.
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