Georgia Home Remodeling for Handicap Accessibility

Perhaps you have a family member moving in who needs specific house modifications. Or maybe you have come to the point in your life where handicap accessibility is something you must prioritize in your home.

Georgia Home Remodeling is here to make this transition as easy as possible. Continue reading to learn what adjustments your home may need for the best handicap accessibility.

And never hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions on how we can further aid in making these necessary projects a reality.

Handicap Accessibility: Having an Accessible Home

Whether you’re living with a disabled loved one or wanting more safety and ease as a disabled individual, making the right home improvements for handicap accessibility is wise. In many cases, remodeling is a necessity. While at other times, it simply makes home life far less complicated.

Whatever the case, there’s much to consider when making these improvements to a home. To start, we have provided some tips as you dive into making your home accessible for all:

• Assess the Home: Thoroughly walk through your house and note what changes may need to be made. This may include a more accessible bathroom, a stair lift for a multi-story home, and many other alterations. The sections below will aid in these critical decisions.
• Create a Budget: It can be expensive to remodel for handicap accessibility. However, there are ways to make it happen with any budget. Consider your priorities first and leave the projects that aid more in comfort for later.
• Make a Plan: Set flexible goals to complete all your modifications. Anyone’s schedule can quickly become overwhelmed with appointments, activities, events, and more. So, leave plenty of room for minor adjustments to your remodeling goals.

10 Remodel Ideas for Handicap Accessibility

1 | Easy Entryway

One of the first obstacles you’ll want to tackle is making an accessible entryway. Ramps aren’t always necessary. For instance, your front door may have steps in the way. However, if you have a garage or backdoor, you have plenty of handicap accessibility. The only other thing you may want to consider is cleaning the garage of clutter or creating a paved walkway to the backdoor entrance.

On the other hand, your only practical option for entering the home may be through the front door. In that case, you’ll need to ensure that steps are replaced with a proper ramp. Concrete and aluminum are the best materials for building a sturdy, safe, reliable ramp for wheelchair access or other physical disabilities.

2 | Stair Lift

Depending on the specific handicap, a staircase can either be a daunting hassle or a significant obstacle in the home. So, consider installing a stair lift if your house has multiple stories that need to be accessed.

3 | First Floor Accessibility

Another essential feature for multi-story homes is having the first floor equipped with all the essentials. Kitchens and laundry rooms are often on the ground story, but if they are not, you may want to consider building these vital rooms on the first floor.

The most critical spaces to have on the first story are a full bedroom and bathroom. Even if you have a stair lift installed, it’s helpful to have these necessities on the easily-accessible ground floor. This is especially critical for emergencies.

4 | Bathroom Modifications

Modifying the bathroom with handicap accessibility is vital for the safety of people with disabilities. The bathroom poses many hazards, like damp floors and hard surfaces, making it one of the most critical rooms to upgrade when considering an accessible home.

Here is a list of typical modifications for the bathroom:

• Install a walk-in tub or shower
• Build in grab bars for support
• Adjust the toilet height
• Lower the sink and vanity
• Widen and smooth out the doorway

5 | Doorways and Hallways

Especially for those in wheelchairs, wider doorways and hallways make getting around the home more manageable than tight corners and spaces. The standard recommendation for doorway width is at least 36 inches.

If you have carpet throughout much of your home, you may also want to swap it out for wood, tile, or vinyl flooring. That way, navigating the house is less of a hassle.

6 | Doorknobs

Doorknobs are another obstacle for specific disabilities. For the best handicap accessibility, you will want to replace doorknobs that are more challenging to grip. Press lever handles and push-pull bars are typically easier to use. Additionally, you could install automatic doors.

If you have a tight budget for this remodeling project but would still like to take advantage of the ease with automatic doors, limit installing them to the most used doors, like the bedroom or bathroom.

7 | Handicap Accessibility Lighting

Adequate lighting is a must in most households. However, for those with disabilities, bright lighting they can easily switch on and off is even more critical for safety and comfort. Ensure the overhead lights are bright enough to light the entire space. Also, consider lowering light switches, installing sensor lights, or even voice-activated lighting.

8 | Lower Furniture and Countertops

Think about what furniture, cabinets, and countertops need to be lowered for ease of use. Not everything will need to be moved to a more accessible height. However, you will want to consider making a few areas in the home easier to reach, depending on the person’s handicap.

For instance, you may want to lower a portion on the kitchen countertops so the individual can independently prepare meals and do other kitchen chores. On the same note, some cabinets and shelves may need to be adjusted to a lower height.

9 | Handicap Accessibility Appliances

Certain appliances may be out of reach and difficult to use for an individual with disabilities. To equip your home with the best handicap accessibility, consider the approachability of your home’s appliances. For example, ensure the microwave in the kitchen is on the countertop rather than being mounted above the stove.

Furthermore, you may want to invest in a side-by-side unit if you have a refrigerator with a freezer stacked on top. You can apply the same idea to the laundry machines.

10 | Consider Smart Home Technology

Today’s technology makes so many things possible. Not only do smart devices make many tasks hands-free, but they bring a level of comfort and safety to a home that otherwise cannot be attained. Consider the following smart home upgrades to create a home accessible for those with disabilities:

• App-controlled indoor and outdoor video cameras
• Voice-activated lights
• Smart doorbells
• Smart locks
• Robot vacuums
• Personal assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home

Make Your Home Accessible with Georgia Home Remodeling

At Georgia Home Remodeling, we don’t only specialize in knocking out walls and touching up old paint. Our team is equipped with all kinds of experts in technology, appliance installations, flooring remodels, and many more.

That’s why choosing Georgia Home Remodeling is a wise choice for attaining handicap accessibility in your home. We pride ourselves on working with each client’s unique needs, friendly customer service, and perfection in our crafts.

Call us today to learn how we can help with these essential home upgrades!