If you or a loved one has recently had to start using a wheelchair, we understand how difficult this can be to adjust to. The good news is that you don't have to leave the house you love. In most cases, a few simple wheelchair adaptations, from rearranging furniture to installing accessibility equipment, can make your home more accessible.
In this guide, we’ll explore 6 ways to adapt your home to be more wheelchair friendly.
What wheelchair adaptations can you do in your home to make it more wheelchair accessible?
1. Install Ramps
The first step to adapting your home for wheelchair users is to install ramps wherever you currently have steps. Whether that’s up to your front door, back door, on the landing or into your conservatory, they all need covering with ramps. This step makes the biggest difference because moving around the whole house is no longer filled with obstacles (literally).
2. Rearrange Furniture
Moving your furniture around may feel daunting and like a big step at first; once it’s done, you or your loved one will be able to move around the house with much more ease and confidence. The best way to start this process is to measure the wheelchair's width and depth, then rearrange it accordingly. The gaps that get missed the most are the ones wheelchair users struggle through every day, such as in between the sofas.
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Expert tip: Add 6 inches to the depth and width when measuring the wheelchair to give room for any angle and situation, so you or your loved one doesn’t constantly have to rearrange or reangle your chair. |
3. Install Grab Rails
Make your bathroom easier to navigate by installing grab rails near your bath, shower, toilet, and sink. Using grab rails will make a huge difference, giving wheelchair users more independence and control.
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Bathroom Area |
Recommended Rail Type |
Purpose / How It Helps |
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Toilet Area |
Vertical rail |
Helps with pulling up from a seated position. |
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Horizontal rail |
Offers side support for lateral movement while transferring. |
|
|
Drop-down rail |
The foldable option is ideal for shared bathrooms where space needs to be flexible. |
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|
Shower or Bath Area |
Vertical or tilted rail (inside shower) |
Provides stability when standing or shifting weight. |
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Vertical rail at the shower entrance |
Supports safe entry and exit from the shower. |
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Horizontal rail beside the shower seat |
Helps with transfers to and from a shower seat. |
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|
Sink Area |
Short horizontal rail |
Offers support while brushing teeth, washing hands, or leaning forward. |
*Please ensure that all rails are installed by professionals to avoid damage and injury.
Make sure to visit your local Easy Living Mobility store to find rails for your toilet, shower, or sink areas today!
4. Upgrade Your Lighting
Brighten up your home by improving your lighting with well-designed, purpose-built and adequate lights. Ensuring your home is well-lit is an inexpensive and effective way to make your home wheelchair adapted and safer. Install motion-sensor skirting board lights, doorframe lights and bathroom lights for those dark winter evenings. Also, ensure all your light switches are at an appropriate height or have cords on so they can be reached easily.
Book a home visit today with our experts to help you with home wheelchair adaptation advice.
5. Add Reachers To Every Room
Simple but effective, having these handy reacher tools around the house makes all the difference when it comes to ease of living. Whether you’re a wheelchair user or not, having a reacher tool in your home makes picking up dropped or out-of-reach items so much easier. A cost-effective and impactful tool to stop you or your loved one from having to lean out of your chair to pick things up, you can even use them to pull light or blind cords.
6. Install A Home Lift
Getting a stair lift might seem like a huge decision, but the amazing, positive impact it has on your life makes it totally worth it. A professionally installed home lift is a game-changer for home accessibility and quality of life. The biggest benefit? It opens up your whole home. Giving you or your loved one safe, easy access between floors means you or they can keep living independently in the home you love, the one full of memories and comfort, instead of having to move.
Contact our expert team for bespoke advice about home lifts and stair lift options for your home.
Choose Easy Living Mobility For All Your Wheelchair Adaptation Needs
Our team of mobility experts has been helping people in the UK find the perfect mobility aid and home adaptation solutions for over 20 years! You can start your home adaptation journey with confidence, knowing our experts will assist you throughout the decision-making process.
We’re dedicated to offering quality, customer service, and respect, and we aim to help you find the perfect mobility aid and the right adaptations for your home. This includes our range of mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and walking aids.
We have a team ready to help you choose the perfect model and discuss your adaptation needs! Offering fully bespoke advice, you can chat with our experts to get your adaptation plan started today. Shop with Easy Living Mobility today for fast delivery on all products.
FAQs
What are wheelchair adaptations?
Wheelchair adaptations are changes or modifications made to your home to improve accessibility and safety for wheelchair users. These can include ramps, widened doorways, grab rails, rearranged furniture, and more.
Do I need professional help to install home adaptations?
For some adaptations, such as installing grab rails or ramps, it's best to use a professional to ensure safety and proper installation. Smaller changes, like rearranging furniture or using reacher tools, can often be done on your own.
Are wheelchair adaptations expensive?
The cost of adaptations can vary. Simple changes, like adding grab rails or rearranging furniture, are often affordable. More significant modifications, like installing ramps or widening doorways, may require a larger investment. Financial help may be available through local councils or grants.
How do I know which adaptations my home needs?
Start by observing which areas of your home are difficult to access or use from a wheelchair. You can also request a home assessment from one of our experts who can recommend specific adaptations based on your needs. Every home can be made more wheelchair friendly with some simple modifications.
How quickly can adaptations be made?
Simple adaptations, like adding reacher tools or rearranging furniture, can be done immediately. Larger changes, such as installing ramps or grab rails, may require scheduling with professionals but can usually be done within a week or two.
