At Home With Diversity: How to Create An Accessible Bedroom Without Breaking The Bank

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  Her greatest passion is to connecting people with the right resources.  As part of this goal she is excited to share this guest blog post by Patrick Young.

How To Create An Accessible Bedroom Without Breaking The Bank

As far as rooms are concerned, the bedroom is one area of the home that’s non-negotiable. Beyond just being an area for rest, the bedroom is also a space for healing. There’s simply no place for stress in the bedroom, which is why it’s crucial to adapt it for accessibility, like the rest of your home. At the very least, it must fully support your mobility needs, while at most, your bedroom can be your personal sanctuary. Here’s how you can achieve this, and more.

Don’t scrimp on space.

Space is a huge factor in any accessible home, and this is no less true for your bedroom. Fundamentally, there must be ample room to maneuver a wheelchair or walker with ease (usually a floor space of about 5’ x 5’), as well as enough clearance (ideally 3’ to 5’) between furniture and fixtures. Per Accessible University, 10’ x 12’ is a good-sized bedroom for accessibility modifications, but this varies with personal circumstances, too.

The doorway is one feature that’s also worth considering. Again, it needs to be able to accommodate mobility aids, and while a 36-inch frame is usually enough for such a purpose, you can go as wide as 42 inches for a more seamless entry. Additionally, your door should be fitted with swing clear hinges to completely clear the entryway, as well as a lever-style handle for easier opening.

Devote more attention to your bed setup.

As the focal point of the bedroom, your bed deserves a great deal of thought. You want to be able to get in and out of bed as easily as possible, which means you’ll need to make a few key adjustments. Ideally, the top of your mattress should be roughly the same level as your wheelchair seat, which is approximately 20 to 23 inches from the floor. This is the optimum height that makes it relatively easy to go from bed to wheelchair (and vice versa), with or without assistance.

One thing that’s also worth investing in is adjustable beds. This is especially good for those who spend most of their time supine. Essentially, an adjustable bed can be adjusted in a number of ways so you can comfortably—and with little effort or assistance—adopt different positions. This is a fantastic way to reduce body pain and address circulatory issues.

The Sleep Judge notes there are more bedding and sleep solutions that you can consider, as well, such as overbed lifting poles, grab handles, and wedge supports. Some may be more appropriate for your specific disability than others, so take the time to consider your mobility needs to determine which tools work best for you.

Don’t break the bank.

Lastly, cost can be a real concern when remodeling your bedroom or home for accessibility. However, you should know that there are several financing options you can explore as your eligibility can help you easily cover the expense.

Home refinancing is one such solution, and with today’s lower interest rates, this might be your most viable option. You can also consider a VA streamline refinance if you’re a veteran with an existing VA loan. As a bonus, these loans are easy to apply for and have shorter closing periods. You could even lower your mortgage payment in the process.

In conclusion, your bedroom must be a space you can truly call your own, so take measures into making it as accessible as you need it to be. Start by acknowledging your need for sufficient space. To help with this, you should hire real estate professional Wendy Bornstein with Coldwell Banker, who recently earned her AHWD (At Home with Diversity) certification and has expertise in helping clients find the appropriate space to fit their needs. From there, it’s just a matter of fitting it with the right features and solutions. Ultimately, it’s an investment for your quality of life that simply can’t be beaten.

Thank you to Patrick for sharing his expertise and knowledge.  Since I have earned my AHWD Certification it is an honor to be able to share the blog of experts providing resources in areas beyond my knowledge base,