When designing any kind of house you want it to be as welcoming as possible. It will quickly turn from an empty house to somebody’s home. When creating a house for a wheelchair user, there are plenty of options to make it accessible, practical, as well as a beautiful home. Read on for some tips on creating a great living place.
Level Entranceway
Let’s start with the basics – getting in to the house itself. According to The Independent houses designed for people with mobility issues are difficult to find within the UK. So by creating a wheelchair user friendly home, you’ll be filling a much-needed gap in the market. One of the most important criteria’s for a house for a wheelchair user is level access, making it easy for them to enter. Or if this proves difficult on your site, make sure a ramp can be installed at the entrance. In the house itself, make sure to have level access to all of the main living areas.
Wide Spaces
When thinking of the house’s structure, think open spaces. You should have wide corridors and wide doorways. In fact, if possible you should try and make the house as open plan as you can. There needs to be plenty of room for the wheelchair user to manoeuvre through the house.
Easy Access Showers
Having an easily accessible bathroom is so important. This could be in the form of a no-step walk in shower, or a wet room. It makes life easier, and can help the wheelchair user maintain their independence. Mobility Solutions have plenty of options for bathroom spaces, all of which can be tailored specifically to match the needs of the person.
Lifts
Level access is the ideal, but if your design plan is spread across multiple floors, lifts could be an option. Whether this is a stair lift or a domestic lift is up to you and your budget. The main thing to remember is you need to make the house as accessible and open as possible for the wheelchair user.
Low Units
When it comes to designing the room themselves, this one is simple but so effective. By having low units, it immediately makes life easier for the wheelchair user because everything they need is within reach. This can be particularly useful in the kitchen, by installing low units, the appliances are in reach and cooking becomes so much easier. Again, this gives a wheelchair user independence.
