As more households become multigenerational, it makes sense to envision a home that’s designed to be comfortable for everyone, from older folks to kids. And while no one wants to think about accidents or health diagnoses your family may encounter, the reality is that you can’t predict when an accessible home will prove to be beneficial, whether it’s now or down the road.
“Whatever you do for a person who is disabled or neurodiverse is also helping everybody else in the family,” says Shelly Rosenberg, founder of Acorn & Oak, a design company focused on families raising kids with disabilities.
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute teamed up with design experts to create a beginner’s guide to designing an accessible space — including the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and garage — that helps you prepare for the future and is welcoming to all visitors.
Meet the Experts
In conjunction with our pro’s expertise on innovative brands that develop accessible products, we interviewed design experts who have experience creating an inclusive home for all ages and abilities.
Master Kitchen Basics
Embarking on a remodel? Smart, simple design choices can create a functional kitchen that works with a variety of mobility needs.
Reassess your appliances
Installing an under-counter microwave or fridge or raising your dishwasher makes kitchen tasks easier for folks in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges. Rosenberg recommends an induction cooktop, which doesn’t heat with an exposed flame like a gas range and cools down faster than an electric range (features such as this improve safety for neurodivergent family members). Another pro tip is to look for appliances with safety shut-offs so kids won’t get hurt if they accidentally touch something — and you won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving an appliance on after you head out the door.
Pro tip: “Kitchens often have fluorescent lighting, which may emit a hum or subtle flash that can be aggravating to someone who is neurodiverse. Instead, look for battery-operated lamps. They have no cords and typically use LED bulbs that stay cool to the touch and don’t hum or flash.”
—Shelly Rosenberg, founder of Acorn & Oak
Add slide-out storage
No one wants to deal with stacks of heavy pots: To avoid that, place cookware near the cooking area in storage organizers in under-counter drawers with full extension and heavy-duty slides, says Delaware. “This way it’s easier for somebody to just pull out the drawer and be able to get to the things they need,” he explains. Reaching deep inside or high above for a stack of plates will no longer be a cumbersome task. Include roll-out shelves in cabinets to prevent unnecessary reaching and bending, adds Levine.
Rethink the sink
A sink with at least 27 inches of clearance underneath allows access for those in wheelchairs. Our home experts recommend a shallow sink that makes everyday food prep easy. A motion-sensing faucet — or a smart faucet that responds to voice commands — lets anyone dispense water easily, which is great whether someone has limb differences or is just filling a large pot.
Accessible Kitchen Accessories
Bolster the Bathroom
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Install seamless showers
Consider a curbless shower that is level with the bathroom floor. The lack of a raised edge makes these sleek showers easier to access for those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. A sliding door will also facilitate access and save space. “A detachable shower wand is key for anyone who might be seated on a bench or in a roll-in chair — it’s easier for them to be able to bathe their entire body,” says Delaware.
Pro tip: “When thinking about an accessible home that can grow with you and your family, imagine it as a home that’s ready for anybody, regardless of age, height, physical capabilities and any other challenges they may have.” —Louie Delaware, founder of the Living In Place Institute
Try smart toilets
Some smart toilets make independent restroom use easier by offering auto-flushing, automatic seat lifting and a built-in cleansing wand. But anyone will love a model with a seat warmer for those chilly mornings.
Lower the sink
A low-height vanity sink makes it easy to wash face and hands from a seated position. Also, think about leaving enough knee clearance for a wheelchair or a stool. ADA guidelines recommend that a sink be no higher than 34 inches.
Easy Adds for a Welcoming Washroom
Build a Better Bedroom
Functional and flexible furniture, storage and lighting will help whether you’re waking up or winding down.
Adjust your bed and furniture
Whether you experience chronic pain or share the bed with someone with different sleep habits, a split-adjustable base can personalize your position to help keep you aligned and create equity. You can raise the head and foot remotely, and some beds feature charging ports or dual controls. Our pros also recommend bedrails that serve as grab bars for those with balance issues or people transferring to mobility devices.
Optimize your closet
A closet with both a top and bottom rod not only stores more but also puts clothing within reach. Optimize that design even more with a pull-down top rod that allows a person who is shorter or in a wheelchair to reach sweaters, blouses and trousers. Levine recommends adding interior lighting in bedroom closets for safe navigation around extra rods. Consider looped handles on closet doors for easier grasping and simpler opening and closing.
Pro tip: “If a person’s eyesight is deteriorating, add additional lighting to help them see better and to provide an additional level of safety. For example, if you are widening and replacing the front door, add side lights so that you can see who is at the door without having to open it.”
— Danise Levine, assistant director of the University at Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
Control the lighting
A dimmer switch creates ambiance and visually indicates bedtime, explains Rosenberg. Nightlights can improve the environment for little ones with cognitive disorders, she adds. Motion-activated lights can help prevent falls in hallways and stairwells, and less mobile individuals can use remote-controlled shades to adjust the lighting from bed.
Accessible Bedroom Accessories
Manage Your Mudroom and Garage
Accessibility needs to start outside your home and continue inside. Remove obstacles from your driveway, walkway and entrances.
Add easy entryway access
A wide entry with seamless flooring is simple for folks with wheelchairs, crutches or strollers to navigate. Add sturdy benches so people can remove their shoes while seated.
Pro tip: “Decluttering the house, including the garage, may take time and effort, but it is an inexpensive way to provide more space to maneuver and has been proven to reduce stress and improve mental health.”— Danise Levine, assistant director of the University at Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
Try streamlined shelving
Opening cabinets and bins can be difficult for people with mobility issues. Opt for open shelving, which provides space for essentials and a way to display decor.
Investigate auto essentials
Make it easier to get into and out of your car: Look for features like keyless entry, assist bars and a wheelchair ramp. For hands-free navigation, opt for voice-controlled route assistance.
Simple Swaps for a Smarter House
The latest smart home technology reduces physical demands so you can operate gadgets and appliances with automation, your voice or your smartphone.
Simple Swaps for a Smarter Home
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Writer and Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski and Updates Editor Elizabeth Berry teamed up to research and write our guide to an accessible home. Since joining GH in 2021, Olivia has reported on everything from electronics to travel, health, home, fitness and more. Elizabeth updates content across our verticals but has developed beats in the home, style and kitchen appliance spaces.
In addition to the accessible design exports Olivia and Elizabeth interviewed, they also collaborated with GH Institute Lab directors and product analysts in the Kitchen Appliance & Innovation Lab, Home Care & Cleaning Lab, and the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab to gather top-tested appliances and home accessories.
House illustration: Kotryna Zukauskaite.
Take me back to the issue!
Check out all the stories from our first-ever Accessibility Issue, including an interview with Broadway star Ali Stroker and more!
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, overseeing product testing and covering tech, travel, home, fitness, parenting, health and more. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
