Accessible Home Interior for All

Accessibility is about removing barriers and providing the benefits of technology for everyone.

 – Steve Ballmer

 

Interior design is more than decorating your home. A home with all the decor items is not a home if it is not user-friendly. By user-friendly, I mean everyone visiting or living at your home should be comfortable staying there–this includes people of all ages and abilities. People who have physical challenges are not unable, they are differently able to do things. Keeping this in mind, the expert interior designers incline towards universal accessibility design while designing your home. They make sure your elderly family members, guests, people with physical challenges, and kids can easily navigate the space.

If you are looking for an accessible home interior, then you need to consider various aspects. So, in this blog post, we will explore the practical tips and aspects that can help you understand what interior criteria can make your home accessible to all. Let's dive in.  

Keep Entryways Mess-Free

Your home is not only the specific rooms; the foyer area or hallway is also part of your home. The entryway or foyer area is the first zone of contact with your home. So, making it comfortable for all is more than necessary. So, the first feature you need to consider is keeping this area clutter or mess-free. For that, you can avoid stuffing the area with many decor or furniture elements. 

You can opt to place multifunctional furniture that serves multiple purposes in your entrance. For example, go for a shoe cabinet that doubles as a storage and display unit. It will keep the entrance spacious for all and prevent accidents. Make sure to keep the cabinet at an accessible height so that people with back pain, wheelchairs, or crutch users can easily access it. It is better if you can go for lever handles instead of doorknobs. It makes an easy access to all. 

Tidy Up Your Living Room

Unlike other rooms, it is not possible to lessen the furniture placement in the living room. Because the living room is a space where families gather to relax and spend time together, it's essential to create a comfortable and accessible environment. So, your interior design team needs to be thoughtful and skilled enough to create an accessible furniture arrangement. 

Avoid clutter and ensure that pathways are clear. Consider providing various seating options, including chairs with armrests and cushions of varying heights. This will accommodate individuals with different mobility needs. You need to ensure that remote controls, light switches, and other devices are easily accessible. Consider using smart home technology to control lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems.

If your living room has a sports or entertainment corner, keep it organized. For that choose furniture with built-in storage so that you can keep the mess hidden and keep everyone from tipping or falling. Also, remember to keep the cables hidden or use cable organizers to keep them from dangling or creating a mess.

Kitchen Design

The kitchen is one of the most frequently used and happening spaces in the home. Nowadays, the open kitchen concept is rising in demand. So, homeowners like to keep the kitchen a multifunctional place for cooking and engaging with guests at the same time. With those needs and demands in mind, it might get challenging to design an accessible yet safe kitchen for all. But it is not difficult. 

To ensure accessibility and convenience for adults, especially those using wheelchairs or elderly individuals with physical limitations, it is crucial to design countertops and cabinets at reachable heights. The kitchen is the place for multiple appliances, and while installing them, keep smart technology in mind. Choose appliances that are easy to use and have controls that are within reach. Consider using appliances with voice control or remote operation so the kitchen tasks become easier for everyone. 

Bathroom Design

For the bathroom interior, you should pay extra focus. Because the bathroom environment can affect our health. So, maintaining hygiene standards along with accessibility in bathrooms is essential. Otherwise, it can pose significant challenges for individuals with disabilities and children. 

You can install a roll-in shower with a bench and a handheld showerhead. Ensure that the shower controls are within easy reach. Often, grab bars are overlooked in the bathroom interior. But installing grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub provides support and stability to people of all ages and needs.

Cozy Bedroom

We come to our bedroom after a stressful day to get some rest. But if it is not properly designed, it can add to your stress. If it is not user-friendly for people with physical challenges, it can upset them. The bedroom should be a comfortable and restful space that accommodates the needs of every individual.

Consider using a bed that is at a good accessible height so that wheelchair users can easily transfer. Ensure you have storage spaces, such as closets and dressers, that are easily accessible. You can use smart lighting that can be controlled remotely or with voice commands. Your bedroom lighting should be adequate, and there should be no dark or shadowy areas; this will minimize the risk of slipping and falling. 

Keep Your Children Safe

While doing the children’s room interior, we get carried away and mainly focus on incorporating dreamy themes that fuel your child’s creativity and imagination. As a parent, you are not wrong at all. But be a bit more thoughtful about your children’s safety. So, choose interiors that showcase your children’s preferences and, at the same time, ensure their safety.  

An expert team of interior designers will be careful with the materials and their installation finishing. They usually choose furniture with rounded edges and avoid sharp corners. Before your children move into their room, you need to ensure that furniture is stable and cannot be easily tipped over. Or you can convey your concerns to the design team for the best output in accessible design.   

Designing an accessible home that caters to the needs of everyone, especially individuals with disabilities and children, is a rewarding and practical endeavor. By incorporating universal design principles and considering the specific needs of each family member, you can create a home that is safe, functional, and beautiful. An inclusive home design promotes comfort, independence, and dignity. With thoughtful planning and attention to detail, you can create a living environment that is welcoming and accommodating for everyone.