5 Simple Bedroom Mods for under $100 and Free Advice

I have used a wheelchair for most of my life. I have also been a renter for most of my life. Put those two things together and limits will be hit. Landlords are not usually open to big changes to their property.  So accessible closets, doors, windows and other things require work-arounds instead of real alterations. Over the years I have come up with a few small but very helpful mods.

This Instructable will demonstrate how to create 5 simple modifications to use in a bedroom to make it more disability friendly and wheelchair accessible.

I also offer a little advice for able-bodied persons who are interested in helping an elderly or disabled person enhance the comfort and safety of their bedroom.

Free advice offered:
* Design/layout tips
* Safety tips

These are the mods offered:

1) Extend 3 mini-blind tilt wands from 24” to 48”

2.) Remote controls for fan(s) and light(s

3.) Add removable hooks

4.) Add wheels to make a mobile night stand and a mobile shelving unit

5.) Door opener/closer

Additional suggested helpers: grabbers, garage door opener, magnetic pick up tool

Step 1 Design/Layout/Safety Advice

I have watched a lot of interior design shows so what I am going to tell you will be the exact opposite of everything I have learned about furniture placement and room layout. Designers I’ve seen on television always suggest moving furniture away from the walls and advise to not leave big open spaces in the middle of the room. Wheelchairs users should ignore that advice and in fact, do just the opposite.

Don’t make “trails” in the room. There should be no need to squeeze between or go around furniture to reach a closet or bed. Wheelchairs need pivoting space, the more the better. Keep it simple. Move the furniture against the walls and leave the center of the room open.

Keep the floor clutter free as well. Don’t use throw rugs or scatter wires across the floor. They will be obstacles to roll over and sometimes get bound up in the wheelchair wheels themselves. This can bring everything to a frustratingly dead stop! For people who use crutches, throw rugs are a real slip and fall safety hazard as well.

Comments

[phoenyxashe]

An additional option, for those who own their own home, or whose landlords aren't as finicky (or accept spackle repairs): Most surge protectors of the type shown in the photo have two keyhole slots in the back that can be used to fasten it directly to the wall. Heavy duty hook and loop tape might work as well, though again, not as clean on the removal side as the hooks.

[hammer9876]

As a sometime helper of a person in a wheelchair, I find these simple tips very useful. And wheelchair bound or not, there is nothing like being able to control your surroundings. Thank you for your ideas.

[Rosilin]

Love the Low tech stuff, Thank you So Much, this not only helps someone who is disable or elderly, but those who help them.

[sparkleponytx]

Thanks! The remotes, which were so cheap to buy, are one of the best mods. I use them every day and night. In the summer I plug in a fan to the remote, in the winter, I plug in a space heater. It is so nice on a cold morning to be able to just click on the heater.

[f2007094]

perspective....great ible!

[sparkleponytx]

Thanks!