Tips for building an accessible home

Many older homes are designed in a way that makes them inaccessible to people with mobility issues. If you’re planning on building your own home, thinking ahead and prioritizing accessibility can make your home a future-proof investment. Read on for tips from Hub Publishing to get an idea of what to consider when building an accessible home.

Why Build an Accessible Home?

If you’re young, fit, and healthy now, you may be wondering why you’d want to build an accessible home. Universal, or accessible, properties are a good choice because they’re more desirable to a wider range of prospective buyers. Accessible homes are also in short supply in the UK.

In addition, an accessible home is one you can live in for longer. Many senior people have mobility issues, and if their homes aren’t designed with accessibility in mind, they may be faced with needing to make expensive modifications or move to another home. Designing a house so it suits both your current and your potential future needs makes sense. Once you determine what you can afford for a mortgage, and where you hope to build, it’s time to start considering design.

Things to Think About When Designing an Accessible House

Accessibility doesn’t just mean having ramps and space for a stairlift. There are many factors to consider, including:

• Doors wide enough to allow a wheelchair through
• Space in each room for wheelchairs to turn around
• No unnecessary lips/steps that might impair wheelchair access
• Using levers instead of knobs for easier gripping/turning
• Choosing a wet room over a traditional shower/bathroom
• Fitting counters at a lower height
• Choosing appliances that are easy for an older/mobility impaired person to operate
• Large parking spaces to allow wheelchairs to be loaded and unloaded more easily
• A single-level floor plan, or a two-level floor plan with space for a lift
• Extra space in the bedroom for wheelchair users and for caregivers
• Choosing cupboards and drawers that are easy to open and won’t slam shut automatically

If you’re enlisting the help of an architect to design your property, look for one who has prior experience with designing accessible properties. Seek advice from those who’ve already built an accessible house so you can learn about issues they had and things they may have overlooked.

Some accessible features cost money, but there are many things you can do that are simple design decisions and won’t cost extra, allowing you to build on a budget.

An Accessible Home Is a Forever Home

Designing an accessible home takes thought and planning, but it’s something that’s worth doing to protect the value of your investment and keep your options open for the future. Universal design is good design, and even someone who’s fit and active may find a house with a thoughtful and accessible layout more pleasant to live in.