Accessible Living Room: Create a Safer, More Comfortable Space
At HSL, your health and wellbeing is at the forefront of our designs and innovations, that’s why we’ve dedicated the time to research and work with experts to create ergonomic furniture that benefits you.
All our furniture is produced to have a positive impact on your body, from postural support, comfort to your head, hips and legs and is approved by an independent Occupational Therapist, so you know you’re in safe hands.
Throughout our 50 years, we’ve learnt a thing or two about accessibility and catering a space for your mobility, so here are a few tips to help you create a safer, more comfortable space.
Whilst functionality is important, you also need to be able to properly use your home, whilst feeling comfortable in your surroundings.
Between the specialist healthcare equipment, accessible layouts and mobility friendly furniture, it’s important to remember that your home still needs to be designed to your liking. Not clinical and cold, but cosy and inviting.
So, how can you create an accessible living room that’s still welcoming?
Your living room is an important part of your home, it’s a place to host family, watch the news and settle down with a brew and good book. It's a living space that should be lived in. Accessible interior design can feel daunting, not only are you wanting something stylish, but practical to help your daily life too.
Supportive & Comfortable Furniture
As a trusted furniture company, we are passionate that nobody should compromise over comfort and style. We have lots of award-winning designs that have been created with mobility and accessibility in mind.
Our Riser Recliner Chairs are specifically designed for those with mobility needs. With the rise and recline motions to help ease you out of your seat or sink further into relaxation, our Riser Recliner Chairs offer ease, comfort and confidence in your every movement. Each chair features generous cushioning to support your head, neck, shoulders and back, ultra-high leg lifts to aid circulation and motor options to best aid you.
Our Fireside Chairs are designed to look after your posture. If you don’t quite need that extra hand when standing, but want a higher seat, the Fireside Chair is the choice for you. Each chair features a high back to support your head, neck and spine, whilst the higher seat makes it easier for you to get to your feet. For extra support, you can even design your chair with our patented wooden knuckles to help support you up and look extra stylish.
For something a little different, check out our Recliner Swivel Chairs. Designed for outstanding posture assistance, the contoured backrest offers ideal support for your head and lower back. Enjoy the matching footstool and take that feeling of comfort to another level.
Ergonomic chairs and furniture with modern technology to help you with your day-to-day activities is an easy solution to help you create a safer and more comfortable space. Our feel-good furniture is approved by experts and an independent Occupational Therapist, so you know you’re in good hands.
Entrance & Exits
When designing an accessible living room, much like the rest of your home, consider how safe your exits and entrances are. These doorways need to be always kept clear, large enough for a quick getaway (especially for wheelchair users), and you could consider making sure your doors are fire safe, in case you’re worried about leaving your home in a fire emergency.
Assistive Technology
Technology can be a massive support, especially if you’re slowing down, living independently or need that extra assistance, and there’s lots of ways to use technology to help you.
Place your phone into a voice-base mode if you struggle to read and type on the screen, or if you have a hearing impairment, ensure your phone’s text is large enough to read and vibrates so you can feel any notifications.
If you struggle to hear someone at the door or need alerts, install a sounder beacon to flash and make loud sounds so you’re alerted.
Ensure that all your light switches and plugs are in reach, either by a cord or placed higher up on the wall. Change your lightbulbs to smart bulbs and control them from your phone or have everything working through a set timer making it easier to enjoy your living room any time of day.
Medical Equipment Space
Create a space specifically for all your medical supplies, from your daily medicine, plasters and bandages to any phone numbers you or someone else might need in case of an emergency. Keep everything organised and in reach but provide yourself with a stylish box or something fun to keep you cheerful.
Reorganise
As life begins to slow down and our bodies ache a little more, find the time to reorganise your home. Ask your family, friends and carers to help and task everyone with their own room. Keep anything that is important or sentimental and donate or recycle everything else. With less clutter in your home, your space is more accessible and safer from accidents.
Have any wires, loose carpet, broken furniture or general clutter moved out of the way or disposed of. Get the wires tucked in under the skirting boards or tape, have loose carpet reupholstered or stripped away and donate any random piles of stuff. This way you’re preventing any risks of falling or causing yourself an injury.
Everything within Reach
As you settle down into your chair, there will always be something you’ve forgotten, maybe your glasses, your puzzle or the tv remote. Create a space next you where all the important items live. Perhaps a stylish coffee table, side table or shelf. For things a little higher up, get yourself a Reacher or stool-step so you don’t injure yourself.
Home Comforts for Cosiness
Most importantly, fill your living room with all your favourite home comforts. Pile the blankets high, add pillows and cushions and keep all your favourite hobbies close by. Creating an accessible living room doesn’t have to mean making your home feel like a hospital, instead it means making your home support you in a welcoming and homely environment.
Make your home feel comfortable and be supportive to your needs. Make a list of what you’d like help with and find ways to make it happen. A more accessible home is safer for you in the long run, with support from the furniture you relax into, to the added help of assistive technology, there’s lots of useful ways to make your life a little easier.
For more Style Ideas, check out HSL's Feel Good Hub.
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