Author: Annabelle Harris
Reviewed By: Maria Alfano
When an accessible bedroom is a necessity in your home, many questions can come up. From how to finance the remodel to what elements to add or avoid, the ins and outs of remodeling a bedroom can be complex.
To make a bedroom accessible means that persons with disabilities can comfortably reach the various aspects of the room including the bed, closets, dressers, doors, and more without much assistance. It allows them to remain independent for as long as possible.
How you make a bedroom accessible will be determined by many factors like the size of the room, which floor of the home the room is on, and ultimately your reno budget.
How To Remodel a Bedroom For Accessibility – 8 Useful Tips
Take inventory of your current surroundings to have a baseline for what needs to be done to convert your bedroom into an accessible one. To remodel a bedroom for accessibility will require proper planning.
Plan on Seeking Financing
Bedroom remodeling costs can vary widely, especially if you’re expanding the square footage of the room. Some changes—such as replacing the flooring for something non-slip or wheelchair-friendly—are cheaper than others. Overall, however, you might be looking at costs of $9,000 or more.
If you don’t have the funds to pull this off, consider looking at grants or government programs. An alternative to this is a cash-out refinance to access funds through equity in your home. A cash-out refinancing option replaces your existing mortgage with one for a higher amount. You get to take advantage of lower interest rates right now and receive the difference between the loan amounts in cash. Keep in mind that your home value and current mortgage rate can affect your refinancing options, however, so it’s best to speak with an expert.
Remember to keep receipts and make notes of the remodeling projects you make to the home, as these changes can help increase its overall value. This is important if you sell your house to finance a move to long-term care. Since Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of long-term care, many people opt to sell their homes to finance this transition.
How Do You Make Your Bedroom More Accessible
Know What Your Needs Are
The Bedroom
1 – Flooring – An accessible bedroom can include a range of features that are specific to the occupant’s needs. For example, someone who uses a wheelchair may prefer wood or laminate flooring for maneuverability. Another person may prefer soft carpeting to protect against injury if they are at risk for falls. For those high-powered chairs, ceramics are a better choice because of their durability.
2 – Room Size – while you may not be able to change the physical size of the room, at least 3/4 of the bed should be accessible by the wheelchair. This may mean pushing the bed up against the wall on one side to allow more room for movement. Rearranging the furniture will often provide the much-needed real estate in smaller rooms. At the bare minimum 3′ of space around the bed is required to maneuver a wheelchair.
3 – Floor Plan – Open floor plans, a lack of restrictive hallways, and single-level living spaces are ideal and almost important is proximity to a restroom.
4 – Closets – Lower the bars to hang close on to a height that makes it easy to grab those pants, that suit, or the dress off the hanger.
Fixtures
5 – Doors – In general, however, universal design features are desirable for their aesthetic appeal in addition to their utility. Universal design elements can include space-saving pocket doors, lever or easy-grip handles on existing doors, and wider doors for wheelchair access. Chairs can vary from 21″ to 40″ in width. Measure the chair before widening the doors. Lever, u-shaped, or other accessible door handles are ideal for people of all abilities and ages, too.
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6 – Switches – An accessible bedroom may also include light switches at lower heights and in multiple places (such as near the bed), convenient access to electrical outlets, and wide doorways.
7 – Lighting – You’ll want to consider lighting features, especially if anyone in your household has impaired vision. Investigating current ADA requirements can also provide insight. Though ADA laws don’t apply to private homes, current recommendations may help you decide on accessible design features like softer lighting for the visually impaired. Or, the placement of sconces how far up from counters they need to be and also to ensure no injuries occur from being placed too low.
The Bed
8 – The Bed – For the bed area, sticking to a height of between 20 and 23 inches is ideal for most people who have a disability. You may want to install grab bars or a pole system to maintain independence while getting in and out of bed. An adjustable bed could be useful for folks who struggle to sit up to reach for the grab bars. The ADA recommends that an accessible bed is no lower than 17″ off the ground and no higher than 23″.
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Consider the Existing Home Features
Depending on the layout and square footage of your home, you may be able to work within the existing floor plan. However, some homeowners may need to make significant renovations—such as removing a wall—to make their accessible bedroom work.
Take note of any load-bearing walls before you plan on demolishing anything so that you have a good understanding of what you can and cannot remove. Also, determine where wall studs are before attempting to install grab bars or use specialized wall anchors for installation.
If you skip this step, you could create an unsafe—and expensive—situation for your household. Of course, other sleep solutions for safely getting in and out of bed don’t require drilling into the wall.
Renovating a bedroom may not be easy or inexpensive. But for accessibility purposes, investing in high-quality upgrades can make a significant difference in the comfort and enjoyment of your home. And with these tips, you can make the most of the project—and do it right the first time.
Other Ways To Remodel A Bedroom For Accessibility
You may also need to consider the following in order to make the bedroom more accessible:
- Chair lift to get up the stairs
- Doors that swing in and out if pocket doors cannot be installed
- Ceiling lifts installations for folks that are totally immobile
- Bed rails to prevent injuries from falls
- Strategically placed handrails for those that use walkers or canes to get around
- Installation of safety glass for windows that are closer to the ground
- Gate at the top of the steps to prevent from falling down the steps
- Get rid or area rugs to avoid trip and fall accidents
For that ensuite or the bathroom closest to the bedroom consider upgrading the toilet to make it accessible also. ADA-compliant toilets are between 17″ and 19″ off the ground. A regular toilet is usually 15″ high.
In Summary
To remodel a bedroom for accessibility takes time and money. It can be as simple as moving furniture around or as extensive and knocking down walls. Depending on your needs, the available space, and your budget, you will be able to provide extended quality of life with a handicap-accessible room for your loved one.