We’re continuing our accessibility series this week with tips on creating an accessible living room for everyone in your home. Some of these tips will be familiar from weeks past, and some may be new to you.
Here are some things to consider when creating an accessible living room:
-Flooring: Get rid of carpeting if possible and switch to wood floors or another smooth surface.
-Room layout: Make sure your doorways are wide enough (and that the doors open all the way) for a wheelchair to enter (36” if possible) and that you don’t overcrowd the room with a lot of furniture so that those with wheelchairs, walkers, or other supportive equipment can navigate the room more easily.
-Outlets: If you can, move electrical outlets up so that they can be easily reached from a sitting position.
-Light switches: Make sure that lights can be turned on and off easily from both a standing and seated position. Try push button or rocker-style switches, or use voice- or motion-activated lighting if you have a smart home.
-Furniture: Consider whether you may need to add grab bars or a couch cane to make transfers easier to chairs and sofas. As you choose furniture, you may want to invest in chairs that have electric lifts or perhaps install a floor-to-ceiling support pole.
-Windows: Make sure your windows can be opened and closed from a seated position–this goes for blinds and curtains, too. Consider installing electronic locks if you have window locks that are difficult to use.
-Wall corner guards: Adding rounded wall corner guards protects your walls from equipment damage and people from banging into the sharp corners.
-Climate control: Make sure your thermostat can be changed from both seated and standing positions, or invest in smart-home controls. The same goes for your water heater and circuit breaker controls.
Making changes to your home to increase accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Hunter Handyman Services is here to help you make your home comfortable for all. Give us a call at (815) 780-7884 for more information and a free estimate.
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