You may live with disabilities or mobility issues now, or you may live with someone who could benefit from inclusive additions. You may sell the home in the future to buyers who appreciate the universal design.
Being adaptive and innovative in your home renovation is never a bad thing. Use the following tips to incorporate novel accessibility features into your home with ease.
The Importance of Incorporating Inclusive Features
A home remodel success is measured in two key ways — your current quality of living is enhanced and you won’t outgrow your home any time soon. Especially if you’re aging in place, it’s important to consider what you will need in the future to live safely and comfortably.
This can mean focusing on the primary areas in which you carry out your daily activities. You can also focus on areas guests will frequent, allowing people with varying physical abilities to enjoy your home. Or, you can focus on upgrades that will make your home more marketable in the future.
Stay Within Rental or Homeowner Association Guidelines
If you rent your home or have a homeowners association (HOA), it’s crucial to stay within any applicable guidelines to ensure compliance and a smooth process from start to finish. First, thoroughly review the rental agreement or HOA rules to understand any specific restrictions or requirements related to renovations. Communicate with the landlord or HOA board to seek express permission.
You may need to go through an approval process, so with communication, you can gather information on any necessary applications. If possible, provide detailed plans of the proposed accessible upgrades and outline how they adhere to the guidelines and can help the community — as well as the value of the home.
If you aren’t adding these upgrades completely on your own, make sure you work with licensed contractors who are familiar with accessibility standards. This way, they can ensure that the modifications meet both legal requirements and the specifications set by the rental agreement or HOA.
Regular communication with relevant parties throughout the renovation process is key to addressing any concerns promptly and ensuring that the accessible upgrades align with the established guidelines. It would be a shame to start the renovation and have to pay fees or stop completely. Instead, put your budget into adding accessible features.
Opt for Cost-Effective Options
Accessible features are often expensive to add to a home. If you have a current need for a safer home, government or nonprofit organizations can help fund your remodel through modification grants and loans.
In any case, shopping around for cost-effective materials is a creative and novel way to make your home accessible. It can increase the return on your investment if you ever choose to sell, and it can go easier on your wallet at any rate.
Incorporating cost-effective accessible upgrades into home renovations is, at the very least, a commendable innovation in design and construction. The traditional perception of accessibility features is that they come with hefty price tags.
Innovation lies in finding creative and efficient solutions that prioritize accessibility without compromising on affordability. To do so, you can hire a certified aging-in-place specialist who is familiar with the market and can find viable options at the best price. Or, you can make creative upgrades on your own, such as:
- Replacing flooring with trip- and slip-resistant materials like low-pile carpet or textured hardwood;
- Deepening the toe kick, the area where you stand in front of a kitchen counter;
- Adding grab bars and shower caddies to your bathroom;
- Buying tilted mirrors or making your own tilt system;
- Picking a freestanding toilet paper holder.
Some additions are also less costly than they used to be. Shop around for deals on accessibility features that you just can’t live without, such as an electric toilet lift. Prioritizing these big-ticket items will allow you to stretch your budget and still make a big impact.
Consider Home Safety Enhancements
A possibly overlooked aspect of home inclusivity is security. Security systems can play a huge role in the safety of a home for someone living with disabilities or mobility differences.
For example, a pool fence can prevent falls and drownings, and a pool alarm can alert homeowners or authorities of any activity in the pool outside certain hours. This can be a lifesaving addition.
You can also incorporate smart home capabilities to increase accessibility. Voice activation and security features are perfect for residents with disabilities or mobility issues. Video doorbell systems with two-way communication can also enable residents to see and communicate with visitors remotely, providing an added layer of security for those who may have difficulty reaching the front door quickly.
Motion-activated lights and sensors contribute to a safer environment, especially for those with visual impairments. Additionally, smart locks that can be controlled via mobile apps or voice commands offer convenience and security for individuals with limited dexterity.
These diverse home security solutions not only address the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities but also empower anyone to live more independently and confidently within their homes.
other related articles of interest:
Incorporate Universal Designs
Universal designs are the way to go in any case when upgrading a home. This way, you can enhance the accessibility of the home while keeping it marketable and useful if the home ever changes hands. Think of additions like knobless door handles and wider entryways that are universally helpful.
With mindful design, you can transform living spaces to accommodate individuals with disabilities or mobility issues, fostering a sense of inclusivity and independence for anyone who enters.
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Image credit: innovative home upgrades for accessible living by envato.com
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