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Making your home more accessible and inclusive is a great way to make guests feel more comfortable, especially if they’re in a wheelchair, use a walker, have mobility issues or are parents juggling small children. And even if you’re renting, there are lots of small updates you can make to ensure your home is safe and welcoming – and easy to navigate. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
A wheelchair- and walker-friendly home needs wide spaces, so you could start by rearranging furniture to make it easier for a guest to move between rooms.
Typically, a wheelchair user needs a door with a width of at least 850mm, and an opening angle of 90 degrees. They’ll also need around 60cm of space between obstacles to move safely and easily, so consider that when assessing your high-traffic areas and also, where to place furniture such as couches and coffee tables.
Floor coverings can also create hazards for wheelchairs and people using walkers, so consider moving rugs out of the way or create entertaining zones in a more accessible room, perhaps one with hardwood floors. Plus, creating spaces for a wheelchair user to sit next to the couch and coffee table, for example, can also make your home feel more inviting.
Making sure a visitor can actually get into your home easily and safely is key – so if you can create clear, level pathways outside for wheelchair and walker users, remove branches and debris that are in the way, and install a portable ramp over the stairs, that’s a great start.
Our range of mobility accessories can help provide accessibility for wheelchair users or those with a mobility scooter.
Want to make the loo accessible for elderly guests or those with mobility issues? Place a renter-friendly safety rail around the toilet.
Other helpful additions to the bathroom, especially if you’re renting and can’t make permanent changes, include non-slip mats for the shower. A shower stool or chair for overnight guests will also be appreciated.
Suction-cup grab bars on bathroom walls can provide extra support – there are even glow-in-the-dark options for night-time trips to the loo. These can be installed and removed from walls easily as well.
Installing handrails in entryways – if allowed as a renter, or if you’re a home-owner, are a good way to make sure your guests can feel secure if leaving their wheelchair to enter your home or move to a couch, for instance.
Similarly, lever handles are easier to use than rounded door knobs, if you’re able to install those on doors that your guests may be using.
If you’re renting, battery-operated strip lighting that attaches with velcro to walls, above toilets and under cupboards can help guests who might find it hard to get around your home at night. It’s easy to install without damaging walls, and the sensor means the light is activated whenever someone is nearby.
Plug in night lights are another great cost-effective option for bringing a warm comforting glow to bedrooms – some even have a Dusk to Dawn switch-on sensor.
There are many ways you can help to make your home more accessible, both as a homeowner or renter, check out our full range today.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
