When you own property, you’ll need to make sure that it’s as functional as possible. Part of that involves making it accessible. While modern buildings are often built and designed with this in mind, older ones often aren’t.
If you live in one of these, you might want to make it more accessible. There are more than a few reasons for this, including:
- There may be legal considerations.
- It could add to the property’s value.
- It makes the property more functional.
To take advantage of these, you’ll need to know how to make your property more accessible. You can use a few methods to do it.
How To Make Your Property More Accessible: 3 Effective Options
Install A Lift
If your property has multiple floors, then a lift could be mandatory. That’s especially true if it’s a multi-family home; in these cases, it may be required by law. You’ll need to get on this as quickly as possible.
While this can often be the most expensive way to make your property more accessible, it doesn’t need to be as difficult as you’d think. Choosing the right company and opting for platform lifts, for example, can bring the cost down.
Though you’ll need to put a significant amount of money into this, it’ll pay off; it could also improve your property’s value, so you’ll make that money back if you ever sell.
Rearrange The Kitchen
Kitchen and cooking areas can prove to be a challenge to people with disabilities. When you’re figuring out how to make your property more accessible, you’ll need to focus on this.
There are more than a few things you’ll need to keep in mind with this. Having things placed in lower cabinets is highly recommended. You should also ensure there’s enough space between counters and appliances for someone in a wheelchair to move around.
Going with an open plan kitchen can be a stylish way of going about this. You could make the kitchen look great while making it as functional and accessible as possible.
Rethink Flooring
Few people think of the floor when they want to increase accessibility. When they do, they often focus on ensuring it’s flat and there aren’t any hurdles or blockages.
You mightn’t have thought about what the floor is made out of, however. If you have rugs or carpeted floors, these can prove to be barriers for people with disabilities. They could find it more difficult to get over these, especially if they’re in wheelchairs.
There are more than a few ways around this. Some of the more notable options include:
- Hardwood flooring
- Ceramic flooring
- Vinyl
These can look as stylish as carpeted flooring without providing an accessibility challenge.
How To Make Your Property More Accessible: Wrapping Up
Figuring out how to make your property more accessible doesn’t need to be difficult. In many cases, it can be more straightforward than you’d think.
While there’ll be some work involved, the benefits that increased accessibility brings are well worth it. There shouldn’t be anything stopping you from getting it done.
