Common Home Renovations To Improve Accessibility And Convenience For Years To Come
There are many reasons why you may need to make your home more accessible. Maybe it’s for your own needs, your family’s needs, or the needs of your friends, or you’re just planning for the future. No matter the reason, a house that is designed with accessibility in mind will be more accommodating to the diverse range of people and guests who visit. If your home doesn’t currently include the features it needs to be accessible, here are a few home and kitchen renovations you may want to consider:
- Doorways: The Ontario Building Code specifies that doorways in Accessible Buildings must be at least 850 mm wide and the door hardware should not require any grasping or twisting of the wrist. Push-pull bars and two-way doors are excellent options to improve accessibility for any doorway.
- Kitchen: There are many small kitchen renovations that can help create a more inclusive space. Some key kitchen renovations to consider are lower counter tops and work areas with knee space underneath.
- Bathroom: A better bathroom is another important accessibility consideration. Learn more about how to make your bathroom more accommodating here.
- Stairs: Stairs can be a difficult area for elderly individuals as well as those who have mobility and/or eyesight impairments. Thankfully, there are a few home renovation options to consider. You can install a lifting device, whether it be a chair lift, stair lift, or elevator. Alternatively, you can relocate the bedroom and washroom to the first floor.
- Entrance: The home’s entrance is another area that likely isn’t set up for wheelchair use. Adding a ramp to the entrance is a less expensive alternative to a mechanical lift. In some cases, home renovations to widen your doorways may be necessary.
Even if accessibility is not a top priority for your family right now, it’s still a good idea to recognize what challenges your home’s layout could have in the future. As you get older, your needs may change, so making these home and kitchen renovations before they’re absolutely necessary can help make a difficult adjustment period much easier.
At the end of the day, however, choosing the right home renovations for you and your space will depend on your needs and what your future plan for the property is.
