Comfort Function and Aesthetics Making Your Home Accessible and Appealing

When many people think about making their home accessible, the picture is of large white or grey mechanical devices, which can make the space look unappealing and a bit clinical.

However, this is no longer the case, and there are ways to make sure your home is accessible to everyone, without having to sacrifice design or flow.

Elevators

For those who need to do away with staircases and also want to add value to their home, looking into home elevators can be a way to tick both boxes at the same time. These elevators come in a range of styles to match your home’s décor and can be installed discreetly, taking up minimal space.

Wide Doorways

Wide doorways in a home are not just a boon for wheelchair users. They can also open up the space and make your home look more modern. In fact, if you are designing your home from scratch and have concerns about accessibility, it can be worth looking at open plan designs, which will eradicate the need for most doorways in the home.

Ideally, for wheelchair accessibility, you will need the doorways and any hallways to be 800mm wide, to prevent getting stuck and to allow full mobility in the space.

Curve Less Showers and Baths

Showers and baths don’t have to be square or rectangular. In fact, many homes that are accessible but want to maintain their design features will opt for walk-in baths and showers, which are usually rounded or have frosted glass bottoms. This adds a modern touch to any bathroom and, if you have concerns about slipping in this space, a shower chair or adhesive stickers can add a layer of safety. Just make sure that any shower or bath that is specialised is fitted by a competent professional, to prevent leaks.

Slip-Resistant Flooring

Most people have walked on slippery flooring at one time, and, while it looks cool, stone flooring tends to be the biggest culprit for this, especially when wet.

So, when looking for slip-resistant flooring that also looks visually appealing, think of cork flooring, textured porcelain tiles (great for the kitchen), and, for rubber flooring, if possible. Not one of these options will look out of place in a modern home and can add an interesting feature to whichever room they are in.

Of course, if you have mats in your home and you are planning to keep them, to prevent slips and falls, you will need to secure them to the floor with rug or carpet tape.

Open-Plan Spaces

Clutter is not only visually unappealing, but it is also a hindrance to accessibility in a home.

Even if your home is not open plan by design, you can help to make it flow with greater ease by removing clutter and items from the floor and keeping the furniture minimal. This will help light to travel with greater ease and will also open up the space for people who are using wheelchairs, walkers, or may simply need a trip-free zone to navigate their way.

Remember, a home that is accessible and friendly to wheelchair users doesn’t have to look sterile or clinical and can actually add a modern feel and vibe.

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