Elle Decor recently featured a home designed to accommodate both those with disabilities + folks who want to age in place. To see all of the photos, as well as the backstory, click here.
The article featured these tips for how to build your own “forever home”—or how to renovate your current home so it can evolve with your needs:
MAKE SURE THE DOORWAYS ARE WIDE ENOUGH
The front door should be at least 42 inches wide to accommodate a power wheelchair. Inside, the minimum is 36 inches. They also recommend using sliding or pocket doors, which are easier to open and close. Another tip: Avoid doorknobs, and go for lever handles instead.
“Grabbing a doorknob can be really hard if you don’t have flexibility. With a lever, you can open a door with your elbow.”
FLOORS SHOULD BE SMOOTH
For anyone on wheels, whether in a stroller or wheelchair, steps or step-up stoops are a major impediment.
“If you are building a house, build at grade level, or create a simple grade ramp to the front door and garage.”
Floor surfaces should be smooth—try wood or tile with few changes in texture or interruptions. Carpeting is to be avoided, as it can be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair if it is too thick.
CREATE AT LEAST ONE ACCESSIBLE BATHROOM
“It has to be wide enough to enter, with a roll-in or walk-in shower.”
The Forever House has ¾-inch-thick plywood behind the Sheetrock-and-tile walls. That way, grab bars can be attached anywhere in the space, otherwise, you need to place them on studs.
TILE SIZE MATTERS
The large style of tiles that are popular now can be slippery and dangerous for those whose balance is off.
“For safety, the smaller the size of the tile, the better. They can be any material, but small tiles have more grout, and that helps feet grip the edges of tile, even in socks.”
In their bathroom and entry, you might also install radiant heating under the tiles, which helps water and melted snow evaporate—another way to avoid slips.
GO LOW (EXCEPT FOR OUTLETS)
From the placement of windows and outlets to undercounter drawers in the kitchen, the Forever House was designed from a wheelchair’s vantage point. In the bathroom, the sinks were installed at a lower-than-usual height.
“Do that right away, because retrofitting a bathroom is the most expensive thing you can do.”
In the kitchen, keep dishes, pots, and pans in the undercounter drawers, which are easier to pull out, rather than in cupboards. Consider a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher which has a two-drawer design, and a Sharp microwave that pops out from under the counter.
Rather than a permanent massive island, create a movable one which can go from bar height to a lower counter height. And around the island, make sure that the open space includes enough room for a wheelchair to turn around, designing around a 60-inch turning radius.
In the living room, place windows 12 inches off the floor, so anyone in a wheelchair can look out. And the traditional 12-inches-off-the-floor wall outlets should be raised to 22 inches, which is easier to reach from a wheelchair or walker.
OPEN CLOSETS ARE THE WAY TO GO
Bedroom closets are huge challenges for anyone with a disability. Opting for no doors is a good option, and you might consider installing an Elfa system from the Container Store on the back of the bedroom wall.
“If anyone was in a wheelchair, all they need is a hook and they have full access to their wardrobe.”
There are several builders + buildings in the Greater Denver Metro area who are focused on integrating Forever Home features into their architecture + design. If you would like an introduction or recommendation, please let us know and we would be happy to connect you.
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