Does your household include someone who is disabled? If you are redesigning your home to make it handicap accessible, the dining room is an area that should be addressed. Individuals with limited mobility and/or using mobility aids and devices need extra room to move around, as well as easily accessible dining items and adequate access to the table. Here are some things to look for as you start your search for suitable dining set for your handicap-accessible home.
Start with the room itself
You should start by getting an accurate measure of the dining room or dining area, as well as evaluating access to the room. If there is a door leading into the dining room from either another communal room and/or the kitchen, you should consider replacing it with a dual swing door without a knob. The measurement of the room is important for getting the right size dining set.
Look for dining sets of an appropriate size
If you squeeze a large dining room set into a small dining area, you won’t be able to leave enough room for a handicapped person to make their way to the table or around the table. Make sure that your dining set leaves at least 36” on at least one side of the table so that a wheelchair or walker can be maneuvered safely.
If the number at the dining table will vary, consider getting an extendable dining table. If you need a wheelchair-accessible place setting you can give them on the end of the table, and still add a leaf or two for the extension for dinner parties or family gatherings. You probably won’t want to leave the extensions in all the time though, because they will limit maneuverability to an extent.
The upside is that if you know there will always be a disabled person at the table, you can design the dining room for them to have access to a particular place setting. You can also get only one armchair instead of two so that one end can be for the handicapped person. Or, you can leave an opening on one side by purchasing fewer chairs or replacing chairs with a removable bench.
Get dining set with a server or buffet
Although a serving table or buffet is not a standard item in dining sets today, they are still available from many furniture collections. They are available for purchase https://www.1stopbedrooms.com/dining/dining-sets for these and other dining rooms sets. You should consider getting a dining set with this piece. It will give you storage for dishes, linens, serving ware, or silverware that is easily accessible by someone in a wheelchair. It is a good alternative to placing such things in the kitchen cabinets, and also eliminates the need to stoop or reach, which can be difficult for some people.
Carefully consider accompanying decor
As you choose other decor items for your dining room, keep accessibility in mind. An area rug can pose difficulties for those who are unsure of their step or are unable to easily see obstacles in their path. It is best to avoid rugs altogether in the dining room to avoid trip hazards or wheels getting stuck.
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