10 Ways to Make Your Home More Accessible

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  Accessibility matters in all areas of your life, including the businesses you visit. When was the last time you evaluated how accessible your home was? By ensuring that you make navigation of your house easier for any guests and the people who live within it, Here are some simple ways to ensure that your home is accessible to anyone who walks through the doors.

1. Include Ramps

You don’t have to create a permanent ramp unless someone living in your household needs one to get into the home, but you should have a temporary ramp that you can pull out whenever your guests need it. These ramps can easily be folded away whenever you don’t need them. Simply having a ramp available can help people who use wheelchairs get to your home easier and feel more welcome. If you modify your house in the future, you may want to consider adding ramps, but for now, a folding ramp should suffice for your guests.

2. Add Handrails

Look at your house from another perspective. Are there any areas that need handrails? Some people may need extra balance around the home, not just when walking upstairs. Try sitting down and noticing where you need additional support. If you struggle, chances are that other people will have issues standing or keeping their balance.

Handrails don’t need to be eyesores. You can pick them out to match your decor and install them in a stylish way so as not to disrupt the flow of the rest of the room. What matters is that everyone feels comfortable moving around independently in your home.

3. Replace Tile With Cork

Tile flooring in the bathroom can present several challenges to people who have difficulty moving around. When they get out of the shower or bathtub, the floor can get wet — and on tile floors, that can lead to slips and falls. Consider replacing the tile in your home with cork, which can help prevent falls.

Cork is also better for the environment, as cork flooring is often made of recycled cork — and it offers slip resistance, making it one of the best flooring options for your bathroom. When you add cork to your home instead of tile, you’ll make several positive changes. By making your home more accessible, you’ll also benefit the environment.

4. Swap Knobs for Handles

Doorknobs can be tricky for some people to grasp if they don’t have the arm strength or dexterity to turn the knob. Handles are much friendlier for all people to use, as opening a door typically only takes pushing down on the handle and then pushing or pulling the door open. For outside entryways, you may consider installing automatic doors that can be opened with the press of a button.

5. Add an Elevator

Stairs can be tricky for people to navigate when they have mobility challenges. If your home is large and requires stairs to get around, you might consider a residential elevator. Having the elevator in place allows your guests or anyone in your household to retain their independence in getting around a house they should feel comfortable in. Plus, as you age, it’ll help you transition comfortably into the next stage of life without having to change too much about your home.

6. Leave Open Space

Look at how your furniture is arranged. Is it difficult to navigate for anyone with mobility issues or with low vision? Consider moving your furniture around the room — or even to different rooms — to better accommodate people who may have issues navigating your current setup. Always look for ways you can improve your space. You may be able to have just as stylish a space with your furniture arranged to be friendlier toward those who need a more open space.

7. Consider Alternative WFH Setups

If someone in your home has a disability, you need to make space for them to feel accepted, even when they don’t feel their best. Consider setting up accessible accommodations, like a home office, so your loved one can work from a bedroom on days they can’t get out of bed due to pain or illness. Always look for ways to accommodate your loved ones. If you have enough space, there should be a way to set up a miniature office in the bedroom they can use as a last resort.

8. Convert Your Rooms

In some cases, you might have to rearrange the rooms in your house. To make positively sure that your home is accessible for the people who live in it and your guests, you must ensure there’s a bathroom downstairs, as well as a bedroom for any guests who may stay over. Having these rooms ready can help people feel appreciated and welcomed in your house.

You might have to make a few sacrifices to add a bedroom to your downstairs. For example, if your office is downstairs, consider relocating it to an unoccupied bedroom upstairs and moving that bedroom’s items downstairs. The work might be challenging, but it’ll be worth it once you have a space that ensures everyone feels welcome.

9. Secure Rugs

Sometimes, rugs get bunched up and become tripping hazards. They’re one of the leading contributors to falls in the home, so you must ensure that you decorate your space with rugs wisely. You don’t need to remove your rugs altogether. Just make sure that any upturned corners are flattened or placed under something. Similarly, if you want to stop rugs from slipping, find a way to secure them to the floor — likely with velcro straps or something similar.

10. Opt for Better Lighting

You might enjoy the cozy atmosphere dim lighting can give your house, but it can make navigation more difficult for your loved ones and guests. Ensure that you can use your lights at their full brightness. With a well-lit space, everyone can see what’s in front of them better than if you only had low lighting. You’ll feel better knowing that everyone can get around with fewer difficulties just by providing bright lights and plenty of them.

Accessibility and Comfort Are Essential

Your home should be a place where everyone feels welcome. By ensuring that everyone can navigate your home without difficulties, you’re showing that you care about everyone, regardless of disability. Don’t make it a chore for people to visit or live in your house. By making your home more accessible, you’re doing a favor for everyone who walks in your doors — and potentially yourself in the future.

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

Here is How to Start Your Own Home Gym

How to Safely Heat Your Home in the Wintertime

Understanding Whirlpool Baths – All You Need to Know

Five Tips For Giving Your Master Bedroom a Facelift

Tips for Building Your Dream Home

4 Air Conditioner Problems Homeowners Experience

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