If there’s one home renovation project everyone should think about doing, it’s making your home more accessible. Whether you have aging parents, a family member with a disability, a child on crutches, or anything else, it’s a good idea to make some home updates! Don’t worry, you don’t have to tear down any walls or make any massive changes to make your house more accessible. Here are some of our best tips for increasing your home’s accessibility.
1. Widen doorways with offset hinges.
Widening doorways can be expensive, since it typically requires completely removing the door and frame, but you can add a few inches of space pretty easily by using offset hinges.
2. Add grab bars.
Grab bars can make a world of difference for anyone who isn’t particularly steady on their feet or could use a little assistance. The best place to add grab bars is in the bathroom, especially around the shower, to help people maneuver around slippery surfaces.
3. Remove area rugs.
Area rugs and thick carpets can be a challenge for anyone using a wheelchair, walker, or anything else on wheels. The edges can also be major tripping hazards. Removing area rugs to keep floor surfaces level can make a big difference.
4. Install a Dart Canyon™ sink by Elkay.
The Dart Canyon™ dual-depth sink is the first of its kind — not only is it ADA-compliant, it also has a 9” deep bowl, a raised work shelf, and workstation accessories, allowing for a better experience than standard ADA-compliant sinks. Plus, it’s super stylish and works for the whole family! The bonus with this sink is that it can be installed with cabinet doors at ADA-compliant height, and still has the ability to remove cabinet doors for full accessibility as needed.
5. Swap door knobs for lever handles.
Door knobs can pose a challenge for individuals with dexterity or coordination issues, since they require twisting and grasping. Swapping door knobs for lever handles allows people to open doors much more easily.
6. Rearrange furniture.
One of the easiest things to do to make your home more accessible is to rearrange your furniture. Add extra space between items so people with walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids have enough room to move around comfortably.
7. Replace light switches with rocker switches.
Traditional light switches are very small and can be hard for many people to use. A great alternative is rocker switches, which require much less dexterity to use, since you can turn on/off lights using your knuckles, fist, elbow, etc.
