When you think about accessible remodeling, you might imagine building a ramp or creating wheelchair-friendly spaces. However, this also applies to homeowners with blindness or limited vision. Whether you have family members who are completely or partially blind, it’s important to modify your home to accommodate their needs and improve their comfort.
Fortunately, there are many home remodeling tips to help your family members with blindness or limited vision in their daily routine. In today’s article, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Larimer County provides an overview of tips for a more accessible home.
Prioritize Your Lighting System
One of the most common misconceptions regarding blind people is that they do not need light. However, this is far from reality. Proper lighting is highly important for most people with low or limited vision. Remember, most of them don’t completely lack sight, and they can detect varying degrees of light and dark.
To accommodate family members with limited vision, make sure your home is well-lit, especially in dark corners. Avoid lighting fixtures that create glares as these can be uncomfortable for your blind family members. As much as possible, all lights in the house should be at the same height. This way, you avoid unnecessary shadows that may confuse you. In the kitchen, lighting fixtures should also be installed in cabinets and cupboards, making sure that they don’t point directly right at the viewer.
Consider Contrasting Colors
Your home remodeler may also recommend incorporating contrasting colors in your home. People with blindness or low vision may find it easy to locate something or move around if there’s an obvious contrast in their field of view. For best results, use contrasting but solid colors, since patterned rugs, carpets, or upholstery can be confusing to the eyes. It’s also a good idea to color code important household items to make them easier to identify.
Furthermore, the edges of kitchen countertops and sinks should also be painted in a contrasting color so that family members with blindness or low vision can walk around safely without bumping into them. On a similar note, washbasins, taps, shower knobs, and other bathroom features should not be the same color as the walls and floor tiles. Floor edges that meet the walls should be painted in a contrasting color as well.
Improve Safety in Your Home
Improving the overall safety features in your home and reducing hazards are great ways to keep your blind family members comfortable. Keep desks and chairs pushed in at all times, and use non-glare products to clean and polish your floors. Install grab bars in risky areas in your home such as inside the bathroom or on the stairs. Doing so will help your family members with low vision access these tricky spaces.
For family members with complete blindness, there are a few modifications to keep your home safe. Non-slip flooring or flooring with warning textures in front of doorways or steps is a great addition. Textured furniture is also a smart solution as this can help your blind family members easily distinguish them. Put labels on food packages and medicine with embossed letters or Braille stickers.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
As the trusted “remodeling contractor near me” in the area, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Larimer County can help you create a safe, functional, and beautiful space that fits the needs of your loved ones with limited vision through our Independence by Design™ services. To learn more about what our team can do for you, call (970) 695-1320, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve homeowners in Fort Collins, Laporte, Loveland, Lyons, Timnath, Johnstown, Berthoud, and Wellington.