Living room alterations

When it comes to physical alterations and adaptations to a room, the living room and dining room usually require very little in the way of amendments.

Living rooms do not have much in the way of fixed furniture and fittings and they do not have any specialised equipment like a bathroom or kitchen. They are in effect large open rooms into which movable furniture is added and then positioned. This makes them ideal for anyone who is mobility challenged or who uses a wheelchair.

Changes

Changes may be necessary if there is a difference in floor level between the living room and adjoining rooms. In some properties built in the 1960's and 1970's this was fashionable, however it is fairly uncommon. If there is a difference in levels a ramp may be necessary for wheelchair access.

Light switches and electrical sockets may benefit from being repositioned at more easily reachable levels for wheelchair users, however this is generally the sum of modifications for the main reception rooms of a home.

In some cases it may be advantageous to add a downstairs toilet room to a home and, when this is the case, partitioning off a small section of a reception room may be the most feasible option. How this can be done and the practicalities of making it work are expanded upon here ***.

Depending upon the degree of standing and walking instability that a person has, there may be a benefit in fixing some grab rails or handrails at strategic positions around the room. Rails can easily be fitted and equally easily removed.