When thinking about accessibility, you may immediately picture ramps leading into stores, elevator access in buildings, or restrooms with enlarged stalls to accommodate wheelchairs. While these are examples of accessibility in commercial spaces, there is much more to creating accessible homes. This type of design, sometimes called universal or inclusive design, emphasizes built-in safety and user-friendliness to accommodate all ability levels.
People often choose accessible home design when caring for aging or disabled loved ones or planning for their own future needs. While it is possible to renovate and retrofit an existing property, designing a home with accessibility in mind is often easier, more cost-effective, and more adaptable as your family’s needs change. With this in mind, we’ll take you through some key points to keep in mind when designing for accessibility.
Deciding what it means for your home to be accessible will depend on your family’s needs and some basic accessibility guidelines. Think about how people move through the house, including entering and exiting. If someone uses a wheelchair, they’ll need either a stepless entry or a ramp, wider door frames and hallways throughout the house, and a bathroom and laundry facilities on the ground floor. There are also guidelines for counter and work surface height to accommodate wheelchairs.
Hand railings along hallways and grab bars installed in a shower stall and near the toilet are beneficial for a wide range of mobility needs. Additionally, you may need to consider whether light switches, appliances, and temperature or security controls are within reach.
But accessibility isn’t just about limited mobility. If someone in the household has trouble hearing, an open floor plan can be an important comfort and safety decision since walls can impede sound. The open plan also makes it easier to rely on sight. Similarly, bringing in ample natural light and wired lighting sources can be beneficial for people with limited visibility.
In short, understanding the level of accessibility your home needs to achieve is often the best way to begin planning.
Wider areas allow for turning radiuses, which are key for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. An open layout can provide that space and facilitate their movement throughout the home. Hallways and stairs should be at least 42 inches wide, and all flooring should be non-slip material.
Many families needing mobility accommodations opt for single-story homes, but multi-story floor plans are also viable options with proper planning. All the necessary activities for daily living should be available on the ground floor, so at least one bedroom and a full bathroom will need to be on this level, as does the laundry room.
Accessible doorways are about more than the entry points to the home. The guidelines also pertain to the doors inside the house. Door frames should be at least 32 inches wide, with 36 inches being the preferred width for most wheelchairs and mobility devices.
Doors leading to the outside should have either a ramp or a no-step entry. Both interior and exterior doors need to have low or flat thresholds, especially if there’s a change in flooring material. Additionally, lever-style handles or pulls with an open shape, rather than round doorknobs, make opening doors easier for people who lack motor skills or strength in their hands.
Windows provide valuable natural light during the day, but accessible home design calls for more. Light fixtures need to be readily available throughout the house and be bright enough to help those with diminished eyesight. This is especially important in areas that can present safety risks, such as near staircases and bathrooms. Placement is also important because you don’t want to create glare or extra shadows.
Rocker light switches are easier to use than traditional models, but motion sensors may be easier and safer in some areas. Additionally, think about areas that are prone to shadows and limited visibility. Adding extra lighting under cabinets and in closets makes kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas more accessible.
Creating accessible spaces means considering where eye level may be for multiple people. Lower countertops are helpful, as is utilizing storage that can be easily and safely reached. Adjustable shelving and rods offer lots of options for cabinets and closets whether someone is sitting or standing. Drawers and roll-out shelving are also safer, more accessible choices for large, heavy items, like cookware.
Creating a safe bathroom is a priority for every household, and this is fairly simple to achieve. For those with mobility issues, sturdy grab bars installed in the shower and by the toilet are must-have accessibility features. The bars should have a minimum weight tolerance of 250 lbs. The toilet itself should be chair-height for an easier transition.
A curbless or roll-in shower is the most accessible option because it eliminates typical barriers and safety risks. Add a seat to the stall and a hand-held shower head extension for comfortable, independent bathing. Additionally, there should be non-slip grips on the floor of the shower to prevent falls.
Your New Home Consultant may have additional recommendations for your accessible design.
When purchasing a home, we often have lists of dream features we want or need. But most homes aren’t built with accessibility in mind. Retrofitting can be time-consuming or may result in a feature that doesn’t feel well-integrated into the rest of the home or meets your family’s actual needs. In some cases, the necessary modifications aren’t possible with the available space. Additionally, the cost of these renovations on top of the cost of the home may not be feasible for your budget.
Building a custom home ensures the features you need are planned with the same dedication and care as the rest of the house. It means you won’t have to compromise on dream features as they will be considered alongside the accessibility features when the home is being planned. At Schumacher Homes, we consider accessible design to be about fitting both your needs and your dreams. Our seamless accessible designs will allow your home to feel inviting and welcoming to everyone. We are also one of the only builders to have a Certified Aging in Place Specialists Designation (CAPS), so you can trust us to build a home that will support your needs at every stage.
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 25 locations in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends.