I got to watch my mom fight this battle with my grandmother about 20 years ago. Mimi refused to leave her home of 50 years—not just because of the memories, but because as a home decorating enthusiast (who greatly influenced me), she was certain that moving to a safer, more accessible home meant something ugly. Her stately Atlanta home with reclaimed brick exterior and gorgeous white columns came with a narrow wrapped staircase to the second floor… down which my grandfather had tumbled not once, but twice—breaking his neck the second time. She finally relented at that point, but made it clear she detested the idea of moving to a one-story “dinky” house.
She had to eat her words though, when we found them a lovely single-level house with a high windowed foyer that gave it the exterior illusion of a two-story home, but without the risks of a staircase. This experience opened my eyes, as well, to the fact you can have your cake and eat it, too.
The need for an accessible home is sometimes sudden and sometimes gradual. Whether you have a child with physical challenges, an aging spouse or parent, or an illness/injury that affects your mobility, fashion often takes a back seat to function. Unfortunately, many aging-in-place home modifications can conjure up less-than-ideal images of flimsy metal ramps and 2-by-4s hastily nailed into handrails.
Luckily, the home industry has started waking up to the fact that just because a family has mobility needs, that doesn’t mean they’ve given up on style. They’re also realizing that this need will only continue to grow, as 10,000 Baby Boomers per day are reaching age 65—the retirement population is set to nearly double by 2030, and Hampton Roads continues to attract retirees at an exponential pace. ADA-accessible garage conversions into “in-law” suites are more common now than ever before, as are home modifications that will accommodate both young kids and aging parents.
If you’re planning to age in place or to welcome mobility-challenged guests into your home, some of the most important modifications you can make are to your home’s exterior—because if people can’t safely maneuver into your home, then nothing you do on the interior will even matter. The good news is that accessibility can also be attractive! If you find yourself needing accessible home modifications, then check out the ideas below before you call your contractor.
Stamped concrete stays level, unlike pavers, which can shift and stick up.
Accessible Sidewalks, Patios and Driveways
While paver patios and walkways look amazing, they can become uneven as they settle, creating serious tripping hazards for people unsteady on their feet. They also create unpleasant bumps and barriers for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. The same can be said for old cracked concrete and loose materials like gravel.
The best upgrade for hard surfaces is stamped concrete. It’s created from smooth, solid slabs of concrete yet can imitate a variety of higher-end materials from brick to wood to natural stone—at a fraction of the cost. It’s ideal for just about any hard surface you could need: patios, driveways, walkways, porches, and courtyards. It can even be stained in one or more colors! If those upgrades are beyond your budget though, at minimum consider plain concrete… which you can dress up with a border of brick or gravel (cheaper than a complete brick walkway, but still incorporates the color and leaves the main walkway smooth and sturdy!). Even without mobility concerns, concrete is a great choice for curb appeal. Also remember that welcome mats and throw rugs can cause trips or get in the way of wheelchair tires.
A painted rug gives the hominess without the hazards.
Fake It For Effect
As mentioned above, rugs can create a hazard for walkers, wheelchairs and strollers. But since outdoor rugs are purely for aesthetics, you can still enjoy the visual style and color of a rug without the risk—paint it on! There are many ideas and templates online for painting a rug onto your front porch, back porch or deck.
An attractive wheelchair ramp can be seamlessly integrated into the front porch design.
Reimagined Ramps
Many home designs require owners to ascend a flight of steps in order to enter, which is a deal-breaker for those using wheelchairs, walkers, and even canes. But most temporary metal ramps, and even some site-built wooden ramps, can be unsightly and diminish your home’s curb appeal. By taking a few easy steps to make your new ramp blend better, owners can create an attractive look that’s also functional.
First, talk to your contractor about creating a permanent, solid ramp. The boards can be wood stained/painted to match your home, or even Trex composite decking for a maintenance-free solution. If your home is on a slab instead of a crawlspace, you can easily create a zero-step entry with some simple concrete modifications. You could even have the yard graded and create a concrete ramp that simply curves up to the door, or runs across a terraced, newly flat area to a zero-step entry.
Create a “rampscape” by planting new shrubs and flowers around it, even features like landscaping rocks or a fountain. Lastly, add decorative touches such as planters and flowers. It’ll look like a conversation piece instead of a concession!
A threshold transition can also be a warm greeting.
A Welcoming Threshold
Even without front steps, some homes still have that “lip” at the threshold that forces you to add a transition ramp. This means giving up your welcome mat… or does it? Threshold ramps like this one give you a chance to make mobility-limited guests feel just as welcome as everyone else. Best of all, it gives a similar ambiance to a welcome mat, rather than looking like a functional add-on.
Don’t feel limited by the products available… you can buy a basic one, grab a stencil and then paint on whatever message you want. Consider adding flowers, stripes, or any other design to match your home exterior and personal aesthetic!
A rustic-meets-modern handrail design is as fabulous as it is functional.
Railings For Safety AND Style
Not all physical conditions mean needing a ramp, but even a few steps to your front door can cause a fall for someone who is elderly, battles vertigo, or has a knee, foot or joint condition—heck, even those of us who can be a little clumsy! Therefore, handrails are an essential safety feature for people of all mobility levels. If your home lacks them, now is the time to install some. Luckily, they don’t have to look boring and functional. Get excited—railings can add incredible style and pizzazz to your curb appeal! And the same railings can be continued down your ramp if you need one. From straight white vinyl balusters to wrought iron railings to modern cables, or even clear Plexiglas!
To accommodate mobility devices, upgrade to a beautiful new, wide door.
Wider Doors
Some wheelchairs or electric scooters can be difficult or even impossible to maneuver through existing doorways. This can be especially true in older homes, where the doorways were built more narrowly. If your existing front door has sidelights or adjoining windows, it’s an easier job to swap it all out for a nice wide entry door. It makes the perfect excuse to upgrade your basic entry door into a gorgeous new one.
For the back of the house, consider upgrading to sliding glass doors—not only can you let in more light and pass through with a wheelchair, but the various style options are endless. Both sets of changes not only serve a mobility purpose but are an all-around attractive home feature.
These French handles are equally inviting for people with normal to limited motor control.
Happier Handles & Controls
From arthritis to cerebral palsy to Parkinson’s, there are many conditions that can affect your grip and fine motor control. Builder-grade hardware is often a challenge to turn, flip or pull. Luckily, upgrading these features can achieve both high style and handy access. French levers, raised outlets, lowered switches, louder/smarter doorbells, and many other features can easily be found on the market. Some even come as “smart devices” that can be operated right from your phone!
An added porch cover keeps you safe from the sun and rain as you navigate the front door.
Go Undercover
Mobility challenges often include moving at a slower pace—no big deal on pleasant days, but in the hot sun or pouring rain, it can be not just unpleasant, but risks heat exposure, sunburn or slipping. If your front door lacks cover, it’s time to build one. Getting a portico addition is budget friendly, or you can go all-out with a full front porch cover. If neither of these is affordable for you, look for simple bolt-on awnings for your exterior doors
Lighted walkways look stunning and ensure visibility.
Be A Light To Their Path
To safely maneuver around your yard after dark, experts recommend enhanced exterior lighting. But this doesn’t have to mean the ugly, blinding floodlights from the ’80s. Hundreds of decorative-yet-functional outdoor lighting options exist at every price point. And today’s solar-powered LEDs are much brighter (and less blue-white) than in the past, so no need to worry about wiring. Be sure to illuminate any important area, especially the path to the front door, garage and mailbox.
Sleek oversize numerals are a huge help to guests and rescue workers alike.
Go Big & Go Home
Ever try finding someone’s house and you can’t verify it’s the right one? House numbers can be tricky to read from the street, especially for those whose disability might include vision problems. And then there are the helpers who need to reach your home—be it a nurse, friend or even a medic. You don’t want the ambulance you called to be circling the block! So it’s essential to display your house numbers properly and conspicuously. Oversize numbers also happen to look very chic, so find a font you love and fill an empty spot on your house front. You can even have custom address plates made on Etsy and other internet marketplaces to match the vibe of your home’s façade.
Safe outdoor flooring doesn’t have to be boring.
Surface Matters
Whether planning to age in place or battling a disability, be mindful of the traction on your outdoor surfaces. Many natural stone options like marble tile are too slick to be safe. According to The Spruce, there are five important factors to consider when choosing safe flooring:
- Slip-resistance
- Ease of travel
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Comfort
- Cushion
From sidewalks to porches, decks and screened rooms, you have a variety of safe options. You can cover your porch with low-pile, all-season carpeting, or even cork! Rubber is also a great option both for patios and walkways as well as covered porches. The rubber pavers shown above (especially when installed over smooth concrete, to stay level) are a great choice. Not only do they provide a solid grip, but they create a softer landing in case of a fall.
If replacing your existing flooring isn’t an option, look into products like Slip Doctors, a textured application that goes on like a stain or sealer to most surfaces, including ceramic tile, terrazzo, porcelain, quarry tile, fiberglass, brick, wood, concrete, marble, granite, vinyl and travertine. Low-pile stair treads may also lend additional traction at a reasonable price.
The aging-in-place crowd is realizing what people with lifelong disabilities have always known: their home should be both a safe sanctuary and a reflection of personal style. If you’re ready to upgrade your home so you can stay there safely as long as possible, call Quality Built Exteriors today. Their experienced team is happy to provide a free estimate on the exterior upgrades seen here and on any interior modifications you may need to enjoy your home, whatever the future may bring.