Wheelchair Friendly Homes: Tips From Best Wheelchair Supplier in Oman

In every home, there is someone who is experiencing limited mobility due to injury, illness, or aging. It is already very difficult for them to perform their daily activities while using a wheelchair, and an inaccessible home can further complicate that. To eliminate that trouble, you can only make their homes accessible and accommodating for people who use wheelchairs so that they can move freely without facing any obstacles. Now the question is how you are going to do that. You need to look at the interior, exterior, doors, and furniture of your home and renovate it to accommodate wheelchair users. 

In this blog, we review some steps that can be taken to make a home easier to manoeuvre and enjoy. When wheelchair use is long-term, it may be prudent to consider permanent, physical changes in a home that can make life easier for everyone.

Accessible Doorways for Wheelchair Users

A standard doorway can become an obstacle for wheelchair users. A person using a wheelchair needs ample space in doorways to easily pass through it. The ideal accessible doorway measures at least 32 to 36 inches wide to provide a more comfortable passage for wheelchair users. If you have narrow doorways of 23 to 30 inches in your home, you need to modify them to make your home wheelchair-friendly. 

If we talk about doors, traditional door knobs can make it hard for people with disabilities to open the door with ease. It is better to replace these knobs with lever-style handles to make doors easier to open for wheelchair users. 

Wheelchair Accessible Ramps at Entrance

 

Ramps are the most popular way to address height issues in entering and leaving a home for wheelchair users. Wheelchair ramps come in different designs, measurements, and materials to facilitate various wheelchair users. It is important to understand the types of ramps before buying one to make your home accessible for wheelchair users.  

• Portable Ramps

If you require an accessibility solution for guests who use wheelchairs or a foldable ramp for convenient travel, portable ramps are perfect solution for you. These wheelchair ramps are constructed from aluminium material so that they can be easily transported and set up for use at any location without permanent accessibility features. Portable ramps provide an affordable, space-saving solution for wheelchair users. If you have made up your mind to buy a portable ramp for your home and are going to search for portable ramps, explore our wide range of high-quality portable ramps. 

• Fixed Ramps

When it comes to a permanent accessibility solution for wheelchair users, fixed ramps are the perfect choice. These ramps have permanent installations designed for regular, long-term use. Typically, fixed ramps are built from wood, aluminium, or concrete to provide stability and durability for daily wheelchair access to homes. The length and width of fixed ramps can be customized to match the staircase and enhance safety with handrails and non-slip surfaces. To install fixed ramps at your home, you require professionals. If you are planning to get a fixed ramp to eliminate your trouble of entering and exiting your home, contact Oman Mobility today. We offer reliable installation of our fixed ramps to ensure your safe access to your home.  

Pro Tip: When selecting a ramp, consider factors like frequency of use, available space, and budget. Portable ramps are suitable for temporary needs, while fixed ramps provide lasting accessibility for permanent homes.  

Stairlifts to Access all Levels of Home

 

If there are stairs in the home, consider adding a stairlift to make it wheelchair-friendly. As we know, people who rely on wheelchairs have limited mobility, which can make climbing stairs troublesome. It is better to install a stair lift for stairs to make accessing all floors of their home easy for them. To fit the unique staircase of your home, there are different types of stair lifts available on the market. 

• Straight Stairlifts

Straight Stairlifts are the most common and affordable option. These stair lifts are designed for staircases without turns. This type of stair lift requires minimal installation time and offers smooth operation along a direct path. With just pressing a button, wheelchair users can easily reach upstairs.  

• Curved Stairlifts

Curved Stairlifts are custom-built solutions for winding staircases, multiple landings, or unusual configurations. This type of stairlift is more expensive due to its bespoke rail design. To facilitate people with disabilities and seniors with limited mobility, curved stairlifts from Oman Mobility are equipped with swivel seats and foldable footrests. 

• Outdoor Stairlifts 

If you are looking for a durable solution that can withstand harsh weather outdoors of your home, outdoor stairlifts from OmanMobility are a great choice. These stairlifts feature weatherproof framing to withstand rain, temperature changes, and UV exposure. These reliable stair lifts include waterproof covers, rust-resistant materials, and safety belts for exterior use.

Wheelchair Friendly Kitchens 

Making your kitchen accessible is not that complicated. First, move everyday items to lower shelves and cabinets for easy access for wheelchair users. Look for special appliances that are ADA-compliant to have all the controls on the front. Most counters are too high, about 36 inches, so lowering some sections to 30 inches makes counters more accessible and cooking much easier. To use the sink in the kitchen, it is better to leave open space under the sink so you can position your chair right up close.  

Update cabinets by:

• Lower upper cabinets for easier reach
• Remove some lower cabinets for legroom
• Add pull-out drawers for convenience
• Use roll-out storage for pots and pans

Simple changes like these can make your kitchen comfortable for wheelchair users.  

Accessible Bathroom for Wheelchair Users

Creating a wheelchair-friendly bathroom requires smart design and durable accessibility solutions. For easy entry and exit of wheelchair users, the bathroom should be step-free. It is important to install grab bars and handles near the shower and toilet. It will make sure that they are securely reinforced to support full body weight of people with disabilities and elderly. 

For easier transfers, the seat height should be 17-19 inches. For extra convenience, install grab bars on both sides of the toilet, no more than 36″ apart. 

Choose a wall-mounted sink with at least 27″ of knee clearance and a rim height no higher than 34″. To enhance the shower experience for wheelchair users, OmanMobility offers shower chairs. Our shower chairs and commode chairs are built to provide stability while bathing. These modifications and bathroom aids can make your bathroom wheelchair friendly and safe.  

Slip-resistant Floors

To reduce the risk of accidents and injuries at home, it’s essential to have non-slip flooring, especially in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. These floors help ensure safe movement. Additionally, creating open spaces is important for people who use wheelchairs or walkers. To facilitate ease of navigation, a minimum clearance of 5 feet in diameter is recommended, which allows wheelchair users to make full 360-degree turns without bumping into walls or furniture.

This open space is especially important in busy areas like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways. When planning your layout, consider the following:

• Keeping pathways at least 36 inches wide
• Minimizing sharp turns or narrow doorways
• Arranging furniture to create clear circulation paths

Open concepts eliminate unnecessary barriers that can frustrate mobility aid users.  

Conclusion

To ensure comfort, safety, and independence for people with disabilities, creating a wheelchair-friendly home is very important. By making thoughtful modifications like widening doorways, installing ramps or stairlifts, adapting kitchens and bathrooms, and choosing slip-resistant flooring, you can transform your space’s welcoming environment. Whether you need portable ramps for temporary use or permanent solutions like fixed ramps and curved stairlifts, OmanMobility offers high-quality mobility aids for your needs. With these changes, you can make it easy for wheelchair users to navigate their homes.

If you are ready to make your home wheelchair friendly, explore OmanMobility’s range of mobility solutions today and take the first step toward a fully accessible living space.