How to Make Your Home More Accessible

Published: January 6, 2026

Starting at the Door!

There is no doubt, our homes are our special place!

A picture of an elderly couple relaxing in a bright, modern living room, with one watching TV and the other reading a book, surrounded by comfortable armchairs, soft lighting and large windows with curtains.

But, when mobility becomes more limited due to age, injury, or disability, getting around the home can be a tricky matter.

But there are some simple changes you can make that will make a huge difference.

A picture of a charming, narrow cottage front door, framed by climbing pink roses, stone walls and colourful potted plants, creating a traditional English country home entrance.

Think about how you come and go on a daily basis. The doorway is your first point of independence.

A picture of a happy elderly man in a wheelchair. The man is using a ramp to exit a traditional English cottage, with an open front door, stone walls, climbing roses and potted flowers.

If you, or someone you love, uses a wheelchair, walker, or scooter, having level access, or a ramp, can make even that simple act of entering and leaving so much easier.

A picture of an elderly woman using a walking stick to safely walk up a lit access ramp into a cottage at dusk, with an open front door, stone walls, climbing roses and warm evening lighting.

If you’re looking at accessible home entryways, good lighting goes a long way, too. Motion-sensor lights by the door help with visibility after dark, and grab rails and handrails offer steady support, particularly when it’s raining, or slippery.

Living Room Comforts

This is where we relax, or spend time with family, so safety and comfort should always go hand-in-hand. Clear out walkways, remove all obstructions and secure rugs, or better still, replace them with slip-resistant surfaces.

A picture of an elderly man standing up easily from a raised armchair using furniture risers in a bright, modern living room, showing improved comfort and mobility.

You can add living room aids like furniture raisers to make it easier to sit and stand, and support posture pillows/wedges to make it more comfortable when sat down.

A picture of a modern living room with smart lighting, showing an elderly couple relaxing on a sofa, as lamps and ceiling lights respond to voice control for easy, comfortable living.

Lighting is also a quiet hero in the living room. Use lamps that turn on by touch, or voice-sensitive smart bulbs you can flip on and off with a verbal command – smart home niceties that blend new tech with good sense.

In the Kitchen

Dining and cooking are all part of homely activities, but if there is restricted mobility, the kitchen can become a more dangerous place.

A picture of a middle-aged man in a wheelchair, washing dishes at a lowered sink in a modern accessible kitchen, with open cupboards and pull-out drawers showing easy-reach food storage and inclusive design.

Dropping work surfaces, or fitting flexible tops, can help make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Lever taps, pull-out shelves and slide-out drawers can help make everything within easy reach. Simple home adaptations that simplify daily life.

If cooking is your passion, but you find it tiring, even when eating, kitchen and dining aid appliances like…

A picture of a red kettle in a kettle tipper that's on a wooden kitchen worktop. The kettle is being tipped and pouring hot water into a mug

… kettle tippers, lightweight crockery, or…

A picture of a middle-aged couple enjoying dinner at a modern kitchen table, with the man using red-handled adaptive cutlery while the woman uses a standard knife and fork.

… easy-grip cutlery can prove to be lifesavers. These are great examples of accessible home features that help you maintain independence.

Bathroom Safety (and a Little Luxury)

The bathroom is where safety really counts, but it doesn't have to appear clinical.

A picture of a middle-aged man enjoying a rainfall shower in a modern wet room with green tiled walls, wooden vanity unit, open shelving and contemporary bathroom fittings.

A wet room, or walk-in shower, with level access has a light, modern and utilitarian aesthetic.

A picture of an elderly woman using a handheld shower while seated on a shower chair in a modern, accessible wet room with green tiled walls, wooden vanity and safety-focused bathroom design.

Add a shower seat and a hand-held shower, and it's pure luxury.

A picture of a man showering in a modern, accessible wet room, holding a wall-mounted grab rail for support while using a handheld shower.

If you're looking at accessible bathroom design, grab rails are an ally. Grab bar installation near the toilet, shower and bath can prevent slips and give greater confidence when bathing, or showering.

Pair with bathing aids like bath lifts or long-handled sponges, and daily routines become simpler overnight.

Good flooring matters as well, and non-slip flooring is one of the smartest upgrades you can make.

Rest Easy in the Bedroom

Bedrooms are personal spaces, they should be comfortable, quiet and easy to navigate.

If you find it difficult to get in or out of bed, adjustable beds, or riser-recliners can help.

A picture of an elderly woman sitting up in bed using an adjustable over-bed table to complete a puzzle book in a modern, well-furnished bedroom.

Bedroom aids like overbed tables, or rails, make those little moments such as reading, having a cuppa, working on a puzzle, so much easier.

A picture of a middle-aged woman safely walking up a carpeted staircase using illuminated stair lights and a handrail, with patterned wallpaper enhancing visibility and home safety.

Soft lighting is warming, but also reassuring. Movement lights, touch lamps and remote control lighting are ideal if you're likely to get up at night. It's all part of inclusive good home design that works with your life, not against it.

Stairs and Levels

If you do have stairs at home, they don't have to be an obstacle. There are plenty of stair lift options, from straight to curved, that will fit snugly into any shape.

For smaller budgets, simple stair markings, double handrails, or non-slip treads are incredibly effective. It's just a question of making movement feel natural again when it comes to home modifications for accessibility.

Floors, Light and Little Details

Sometimes, it’s the smaller upgrades that bring the biggest changes.

A picture of an elderly woman using a walking frame on smooth linoleum flooring in a modern living room, demonstrating safe and easy mobility at home.

Smooth, but grip flooring, like vinyl, or rubber, helps wheelchairs, or walking frames glide easily while keeping traction. Avoid thick carpets if possible, as they can make pushing, or walking harder.

A picture of a middle-aged woman switching on a plug beside a cosy sideboard with lamp, family photos and warm lighting in a comfortable home interior. The plug socket has been raised, making it easier to reach

Bright, strategically located light makes any space safer. Remote controlled lighting can serve as accessible lighting solutions to introduce softer nighttime lighting. Even something as simple as lowering light switches, or raising plug outlets, can turn frustration into convenience.

Thinking Ahead

Maybe mobility is not an issue today, but it may be in the future. Future-proofing your home is one of the smartest things you can possibly do. In planning accessible living spaces, think big corridors, level surfaces and being able to accommodate rails, or aids, further down the line. It is easier and cheaper to plan now than to retro-fit later.

A picture of an occupational therapist in an Ability Superstore uniform advising a middle-aged couple in a modern kitchen with integrated appliances and accessible worktops

If you’re unsure where to start, an occupational therapist can give guidance tailored to your situation. Pair that advice with daily living aids, and you’ll have a clear plan for how to make your home accessible, as your needs evolve.

A Bit of Tech Help

A picture highlighting accessible smart home technology showing voice control, along with a smartphone app, that's managing lighting, temperature and home security in a modern living space.

Technology is making great things happen for accessibility. Voice command, motion detection and smartphone applications now allow lighting, temperature and even security to be controlled without lifting a finger. These are the kinds of accessible home design and accessible home solutions that make independence possible.

Investing in smart home accessibility features doesn't just make life easier, it provides a sense of control and comfort that's priceless.

A Home That Fits You

If you sit and think about it, an accessible home isn't necessarily about making big changes, but making thoughtful adjustments that make each day easier, safer and more enjoyable to live in.

A triptych picture showing home safety aids with (1) a kettle tipper pouring water into a mug (2) a middle-aged woman safely walking upstairs using a handrail and stair lights and (3) an elderly woman using a stair lift at home

Whether they're small changes, like getting a kettle tipper, or adding lighting in certain areas, or large changes like installing a wet room, or adding a stair lift, each adjustment will make your home a safer place to be.

A picture showing two Ability Superstore staff in green uniforms, picking boxed kettle tippers from warehouse racking, showing mobility and daily living aids ready for dispatch.

Here at Ability Superstore, you'll find everything from rails and ramps, right through to handy mobility aids and access products that will help make life a little easier and create a home that supports independence, comfort and peace of mind.