Accessible and stylish – inclusive design that looks great too
Designers are making accessible options for our homes that are better than they ever have been - and it’s now possible to have a home that's both accessible and stylish. Let's look at some of the options...
Being able to move freely around your own home is something most non-disabled people take for granted.
But most homes in the UK are not accessible, which can make life very difficult for anyone who has mobility issues and those who use wheelchairs.
However, there are many adaptions and specialist products that can make daily life easier.
Image credit and main image at top of page: Symphony
Annabella Fudge-Harman is an interior designer with expertise in accessible design.
Annabelle, who currently works with Opera Beds, advises, “Consider height-adjustable furniture, step-free transitions, smart storage solutions, wet rooms, adjustable beds and open-plan layouts.
“Every element should enhance daily living while maintaining a cohesive design.”
Image credit: Opera
Kitchens
Image credit: Symphony
Some kitchen and bathroom manufacturers now make accessible kitchens, such as Symphony’s Freedom kitchen.
These can include a whole host of features that make them safe and easy for people in wheelchairs to use, such as:
- adjustable-height worktops that can be raised or lowered according to who is using the kitchen
- pull-down baskets in upper wall units
- pull-out shelves and tables
- slide-and-hide oven doors
- shallow sinks that a wheelchair-user can get close to
- worktops with edges that prevent spills
- easy-grip cupboard handles.
More kitchen ideas
Image credit: InHouse Inspired Room Design
Stuart Dance, of InHouse Inspired Room Design, says, “With open shelving, you’re less likely to forget what you already have as products aren’t out of sight, out of mind.
“This is helpful for those who are neurodivergent or who have dementia.
Plus, for people with limited dexterity, your essential cooking products and cookware can be kept within easy reach, without needing to pull open a cupboard door. Another solution for people with limited dexterity, is sliding cabinet doors.”
Image credit: InHouse Inspired Room Design
Stuart also recommends pull-out shelves for those with limited reach. And he continues, “Integrated appliances are excellent for accessibility as they allow users to install them at their preferred height. For example, if you have trouble bending down, you can install your dishwasher, washing machine and oven at a height that means you will be completely upright while using them.”
Boiling-water taps
Image credit: Abode
Dan Biddle, from Abode, points out that another kitchen gadget some people with mobility issues are finding helpful is the boiling-water tap.
He says, “As well as providing huge safety benefits, a sensor-controlled instant-hot-water tap is also great for anyone with dexterity difficulties or conditions like arthritis, as they can avoid pushing down, turning and sliding the handle to trigger the water flow.
“Alternatively, low-tech tap models are also providing an element of touch-free operation with the handle located on the front of the tap body, which helps to reduce reach for users and provide agile movement via a single lever.
“With just a flick of a wrist, customers can easily access the water flow and benefit from convenience without compromise.”
Bathrooms
Image credit: HIMACS
When it comes to the bathroom, the favourite accessible option is a wet room with shower seat, as this avoids the need to climb into a bath or stand up for a long time.
Choose non-slip tiles for the floor, and, for a high-end look, look at designer grab rails and rather than standard white ones (see ideas below).
If a full wet room is too expensive, a walk-in shower enclosure with a very shallow step could work. Some people find a raised-height toilet easier to use, while sensor-activated flush and wash-dry toilets can help others.
Grab rails
Image credit: Adobe Stock
The grab rail is one useful product that lots of companies have redesigned to make more appealing, so, for example, you can now get:
- patterned grab rails,
- chrome, brushed gold and matt black grab rails from many suppliers,
- solid wood grab rails,
- ‘hidden’ grab rails disguised as shower corner units, tower tails, mirror shelves, toilet-roll holders, and even planters for outdoors.
High-contrast accessories – usually red (against white) – are recommended for people who have dementia.
Beds
Image credit: Opera
When it comes to beds, some firms, like Opera, offer attractive beds that don’t resemble hospital beds but have many of their functions.
For example, the bed can be moved up and down, which means that someone at risk of falling out of bed can sleep down close to the ground, meanwhile it can be lifted up to stop carers having to bend over when they are providing personal care to someone in the bed.
Profiling beds, meanwhile, enable the person using them to sit up or raise their feet.
Image credit: Opera
You can even get special double beds for couples who both have additional needs.
Smart home tech
Image credit: Hillary’s
Smart tech can be a real boon for accessibility.
Voice (or app) activated lighting, heating, home security etc can great if you don’t find it easy to move around or reach.
Image credit: Hillary’s
Victoria Robinson, from Hillarys, suggests, for example, “Electric blinds are a perfect way to make your home more accessible and stylish.
“They’re all about convenience, whether you want to open or close them with a simple voice command through Alexa or Google; set a schedule for them to automatically adjust; or control them via an app on your phone.
“This makes them ideal for anyone looking to simplify their daily routine – especially those with mobility challenges.
“Plus, they add a sleek, modern touch to any room, proving that accessibility doesn’t mean compromising on style. It’s all about making life easier without sacrificing design.”
Get the right light
Image credit: InHouse Inspired Room Design
Annabella advises “Lighting is crucial; well placed, layered lighting not only enhances ambience but also improves visibility and safety.” This is another area where smart tech comes into its own. Programmable lighting can be a real help.”
Lift
Image credit: Stiltz
A lift could be the thing that makes it possible for someone to ‘age in place’ in their own home.
We’ve covered how to install a lift in your home before.
Companies like Stiltz and Stannah offer a range of different types, from small lifts to carry one person between floors that can be fitted discreetly into a corner of the room, to larger, wheelchair-accessible lifts.
Layout
When it comes to home layout, Annabelle says, “Double doors are best wherever possible as these maximise the amount of space you have, and the turning circle.
Grants
None of this comes cheap, but government grants such as the Disabled Facilities Grant are available to help pay for adaptations.
Stylish accessibility
Image credit: Hilary’s
Traditionally, accessible furniture and accessibility aids have been functional looking rather than stylish, but this is changing.
Manufacturers are beginning to consider style as well as function.
Recently many people were inspired by Kara and Jonny’s beautiful home featured on Grand Designs, which proved that accessible doesn’t have to mean ugly.
This Yorkshire home built to meet the needs of wheelchair-user Kara and her family is simply stunning.
More and more designers are getting the message that people want accessible home and interiors products to look good as well as be easy to use – the situation isn’t perfect yet, but things are definitely improving…
Aesthetics matter
Image credit: Opera
Annabella says, “Creating a beautiful, accessible home is all about blending style with functionality.
“Often, accessibility is viewed as a compromise on aesthetics, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
“With thoughtful design, the two can work in harmony. People want their space to feel like home, not a hospital room.
“A well designed space not only supports mobility and independence, but also fosters a sense of comfort for individuals and allows them to live at home for as long as possible, often close to loved ones, which is vital for wellbeing.”
She continues, “There will always be things that crop up that you didn’t account for – such as changing wheelchair sizes or care needs – so remaining adaptable is really important.”
New homes
Image credit: Symphony
When it comes to the design of new homes, the government construction rules known as Building Regs are meant to make new buildings more inclusive and accessible, specifically Part M of the Building Regulations sets out accessibility standards for new homes.
Although the rules laid out are a step in the right direction, they don’t, for example, require all new homes to be fully wheelchair accessible.
To meet these regulations most new buildings only need to be accessible enough to be ‘visitable’ by someone who uses a wheelchair.
That means, it has to be easy for a wheelchair user to get into the building and the rooms and toilet facilities on the entrance level.
The rules set out things like the minimum width of doorways and maximum gradients of slopes.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
There are more rigorous sets of rules for what are known as ‘accessible and adaptable’ dwellings that should be adaptable for people with a range of needs including older people, those with reduced mobility and some wheelchair users.
Finally, there are rules setting out what constitutes a ‘wheelchair-user dwelling, but these only apply to specific, purpose-built homes.
Inclusive design
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Many designers and architects today are interested in the idea of inclusive design, which means they start from the premise of trying to design products, spaces and services that are accessible to, and useable by, as many people as reasonably possible without the need for special adaptation.
If this is something that interests you, a great place to find out more is the brilliant booklet Many More Parts Than M! from the DisOrdinary Architecture Project.
Trends in design are towards more accessible and inclusive spaces. But change takes time and many old buildings in the UK can’t be easily or cheaply adapted.
Groups like Disability Rights UK continue to fight for more places to be made accessible to more people.
And, in the meantime, Annabella reminds us, “Accessible interior design doesn’t have to be black and white, there are ways around things without turning your home into something resembling a hospital.
“By keeping homes looking beautiful, as well as practical, people can feel a great sense of comfort while not feeling their space is a constant reminder of their needs.”
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