Written by Deborah Pierce, the Accessible Home features principle and example homes that provide ideas on what to incorporate into an accessible home. While we are not specifically looking to meet an accessibility need, we want to incorporate some of these features into the design either for an older version of ourselves or a future resident of the house.
Here's some features we would like to include:
Here's some features we would like to include:
- One zero step entrance
- 32 inch clearance on doorways
- Clear hallway width of 36 inches
- Angle walls at corners if needed for greater clearance
- One accessible bathroom on main level
- 30 by 48 in clearance space in front of sink and toilet.
- Allow for a grab bar location on one side of toilet and a distance of 18 inches to nearest wall on other side.
- 36 in wide shower – glass enclosure will feel larger
- Curbless shower entrance
- Locate faucet to side of sink for easier use
- Lower sink height – 29 to 34 inches with ability to remove cabinet under sink
- Higher toilet seat
- Align doors across from each other for easy of movement between rooms
- Mark stair tread edges in contrasting color for visibility (change in stain or a routered line)
- Screen porch level with the interior floor
- Kitchen
- Clear approach space in kitchen 30 in by 48 in by sink and stove.
- Avoid wall cabinets in kitchens
- Large pantry spaces with doors that can stay open
- Doors: Choose sliding or pocket doors over swinging doors – or eliminate doors where possible. Use bi-fold doors on closets, pantry or utility rooms to keep access open.
- Coat area rather than a closet: Bench for sitting with shoes under. Hooks behind bench. Cabinets on top.