A master bedroom that is accessible and luxurious?
You bet!
If all you can think of is clinical and hospital-like when the word accessible is brought up.
Think again.
We will help you make your master bedroom an accessible, inviting, comforting haven.
Check out the 13 points below in order to achieve a very personal space designed to help you recharge and relax.
Begin with furniture and space planning
- Locate your bedrooms away from noisy living areas. This keeps disturbing noise down for those who like to go to bed a little earlier, or sleep in a little longer.
- Include a fantastic accessible ensuite bathroom off your bedroom for the ultimate luxury.
- Allow for a 60in/1.5m circle for maneuvering wheelchairs on at least one side of the bed and in front of closets and dressers. This extra floor space will make your bedroom feel grander and will ensure its adaptability for the future.
- Include a walk-in closet with a 60in/1.5m maneuvering circle in the center of it. Place an easily removable ottoman or table in the middle for now if you don’t need the space immediately for wheelchair use. It is easy and cost-effective to have a custom closet organizer designed around your needs and wants. Install pull-down clothing rails if you have trouble reaching high.
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Bedroom exit
For a real sense of luxury but with accessibility at the core, install an exterior door of 36in/91cm with a covered paved area. The main purpose is as an emergency exit, but who wouldn’t want a patio off their bedroom to enjoy a nice morning coffee. A full or partial glass door will let in extra light and ventilation; especially one of those fantastic European tilting-doors.
- Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up to a fabulous view? Place windows at a height from which you can admire the outside from the bed or from a comfortable upholstered reading chair or a chaise longue. Pieces of upholstered furniture are a way to bring in luxurious fabrics and luscious toss pillows. Figure out where your bed will go before installing lower windows, as this will impact your furniture placement. TIP: Pay attention to the window opening mechanisms and the window covering controls, and make sure they are easy to use.
Personalizing and making it yours
- Claim your own duvet. In Switzerland, many people sleep with their own single duvet. This satisfies both warm and chilly individuals, as they don’t have to share a cover that is too hot or too cool. This also controls the blanket stealer, and satisfies the cocooner. Go even further and customize each person’s mattress with the firmness that they prefer, or buy an electric bed where you can individually adjust each side of the bed to the position that is most comfortable.
- A show-stopping headboard will give the room a focal point and is an easy DIY project. TIP: In place of a physical headboard you could apply a wall treatment like wood or wallpaper. Or do both.
- Dressing your bed with some silky-soft sheets and adding a few toss pillows will make you want to linger in bed for a little longer each day.
- Install some beautiful light fixtures on dimmers to up the romance factor. Consider a chandelier, some wall sconces and some gorgeous bed-side lamps. Make sure the lamps are bright enough for reading and the rest of the fixtures are on dimmer controls. Include low-level lighting for night time navigation with led motion sensor lights. Some of these lights are incorporated into your receptacles. *link
- Remember to paint or wallpaper your walls for some boudoir drama. You may prefer lighter restful colors or stronger more dramatic ones.
- Include a favorite piece of art if you don’t have a view.
- Carpets in bedrooms are fantastic as they add an element of softness and help absorb noise, however, deep pile or plush carpets with thick underlays are terrible for a wheelchair to navigate on. Instead of wall to wall carpeting install a solid-floor and top it with an area rug. You can always easily remove the rug in the future. TIP: Remember that an area rug is a tripping hazard, so ensure it has a non-slip pad under it.
Action Plan
If you are going to be undertaking a renovation or are building a new home, think about where you can incorporate these accessibility features. After you have the spacial requirements sorted out, there is plenty of opportunity to put your personal stamp and create a fabulous master bedroom retreat.
Take this list to your architect, designer or builder and start the discussion on how to incorporate future adaptability into your new home.
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