When setting out on your self-build project, it’s important to design a space accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or mobility. The latest reports estimate there are roughly 16 million people in the UK living with disabilities, and by building an accessible home, you can create a space that appeals to everyone.
So, what do we mean by ‘Accessibility’?
Accessibility in home design means the home can be used by all people, with or without disabilities. Whether you’re planning a new build or renovating an existing home, accessible design can significantly improve the quality of life for those who are differently abled.
Designing a disability-friendly home means more than just adding in a few ramps. It’s about creating a space that caters to those of all disabilities, visible or not. AC Architects is here to give you a list of things to consider when building an accessible home that is functional, safe, and inclusive to all:
INCLUSIVE DESIGN FROM THE OUTSET
When designing an accessible home, you should ensure that your architect is fully aware of your needs so that this can be taken into account throughout the design stages. Notify your design team of your intentions in the initial design stages to give them plenty of time to integrate your needs into your drawings. This guidance is the same for renovating existing properties.
Hiring an experienced design team is certainly desirable when designing an accessible home as they bring an understanding of the specific needs of individuals, but the minimum would be to have a designer and a main contractor who understand your requirements and how to achieve them.
Furthermore, your design team should be adept at navigating building codes and regulations related to accessibility, ensuring compliance and avoiding costly modifications in the future.
The addition of some accessible inclusions will be up to you, but others you will have to adhere to as set out in the building regulations. Here are a few examples in Scotland:
These regulations have seen many changes over the years to create a more inclusive build environment and address the occupant's evolving needs over time. Elements such as wider rooms, open-plan spaces and wide corridors can create more inclusive areas for the disabled. Every country has different requirements, so make sure to check which ones apply to you.
If your design requires consideration for wheelchair users, your spaces will need a minimum space of 1.5 x 1.5 metres. This can become a challenge when designing certain areas of the home, but a competent design team can effectively integrate these needs if given time.
The purpose of an accessible home is more than just accommodating for the disabled. If you plan for this to be your forever home, you can work to create a place that allows you to live comfortably and independently as you enter your golden years.
ENTRIES AND EXITS
Building with accessibility in mind doesn’t just apply to your interior. Chances are the first thing people are going to see is your entryway, so focus on making a good impression with an open space and a nice, wide door for easy access. To accommodate wheelchair users, your front door should be at least 775 mm in width and lead into an open hallway without tight angles and space to navigate.
Ensure at least one entrance to your home has a step free, level entry. This can be achieved with ramps or graded ground and level thresholds. Ramps can of course be installed post-construction, but it’s easier to plan them into your design to save time and money. Making them inclusive of the build and more aesthetically pleasing
The pathways surrounding the home should be 900mm - 1.5m wide, level and free of obstacles and sharp turns. The material you use to make the path is equally important. Brick or paved pathways create a hard, smooth surface that creates stable ground for wheelchair users. Try to avoid materials like stone chips which create uneven ground and won't comply.
It’s not a requirement, but it’s sensible to create easy access to your garden space and any additional buildings outside the main dwelling. For those who enjoy gardening, raised beds can make this activity accessible.
Finally, make sure the garage or driveway has a clear path with level ground to your front door.
KITCHENS
The kitchen is a high-traffic room where safety and accessibility should be the priority. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to integrate accessibility into your design while keeping the same level of functionality.
First, plan the layout of your kitchen. As with all rooms in your home, wide spaces make it easy for differently abled people to move around. Place resting spaces next to ovens, microwaves and kettles to make it safer to deal with hot items. Additionally, place your sink next to any hobs or cookers to prevent disabled users from carrying pots and pans over a longer distance.
Your kitchen should be an open space where manoeuvrability takes the forefront. A kitchen island can be a handy design feature, but if it negatively affects the width of space, it might be best to remove it altogether.
Rise and fall worktops provide a level of flexibility to your kitchen. These worktops can be raised or lowered to a specific height and can be used to access the important features of your kitchen such as the sink or a kettle.
All appliances and storage spaces should be placed at a reachable height to accommodate seated users. This also applies to the positioning of handles on cabinet doors. If handles are placed too high then this could negatively affect the inclusiveness of your kitchen. Pull-down baskets are an excellent solution for those who struggle to reach high storage cabinets.
Non-slip flooring also works to create a safer space for those of lower stability. 
BATHROOMS
As I’m sure you’re aware, everyone needs to use the bathroom, which is why it’s imperative to create a convenient space for those with mobility challenges. Accessible design makes daily activities such as bathing and brushing your teeth more manageable.
Implementing level showers that feature no curbs or handheld shower heads can put wheelchair-bound users at ease. A shower stool can also be added for those who have difficulty standing. These can be folded away if not required by the user. Both your sink and shower should be lowered down with lever handles. Simple grab bars can also make a huge difference when manoeuvring around the bathroom for those who can’t walk without assistance.
Sink and toilet heights should be adjusted to make them easier to use safely. Removing cabinets from under the sink allows wheelchair users to get much closer to the sink, too.
If you’re thinking ahead to your later years, a higher sink might be the best option for when you have trouble bending over.
A 'SMART' DESIGN
The final step to creating an accessible home is to embrace the rise of smart technologies. Integrating smart home technology into your home is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury these days, which creates new opportunities for those with disabilities.
Thanks to new home technologies, people have easier control over devices in the home. Common household tasks, such as vacuuming, are now possible for those with physical disabilities through robotics and advancements in artificial intelligence. This gives them a sense of independence and keeps them connected to the home.
Select smart devices that serve the specific needs of your household and consider their accessibility. Appliances that can be controlled by apps on our phones allow easy access at the push of a button. Appliances with integrated virtual voice assistants don’t even need a button!
Once you’ve set up your wi-fi network, you can connect all your smart devices into a central control hub. From here, you can control your devices from one device. Smart device installers are readily available if you need assistance.
Discussing smart home ideas with your architect during the design stage ensures seamless integration into your self-build and ensures you have the infrastructure in place to accommodate smart technology. This can also help to ensure that integrating this technology into your design suits the functionality of the living spaces.
Check out our article on the best smart home technologies on the market here.
Now you’ve got an accessible design, you’re on your way to creating an inclusive and safe home. A truly accessible home comes down to more than just the design, however. Once your home is built, think about where you place rugs and coffee tables for wheelchair accessibility, add extra seating or leaning areas for those with mobility issues and, as always, think of the needs of others.
