A wheelchair accessible bedroom will need to allow room for a bed, 2 dressers, and of course room for the wheelchair to maneuver. When planning a wheelchair accessible bedroom begin with the size of the bed.
Standard mattress sizes are as follow:
- Twin–39 x 75 inches (or 99 x 190 cm)
- X-Long Twin–39 x 80 inches (99 x 203 cm)
- Full–54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm)
- Queen–60 x 80 inches (or 153 x 203 cm), 5’x 6.5’
- King–76 x 80 inches (or 198 x 203 cm)
- California King–72 x 84 inches (or 182 x 213 cm)
In our example we are going to base the size of the wheelchair accessible bedroom on a queen-sized bed, which is 60″x 80″ or 5’x 6.5′.
Standard wheelchairs require at least 3-feet of width to propel in a straight line, bariatric or power wheelchairs may require more space depending on the size of the wheelchair and the maneuvering ability of the driver. Most standard wheelchairs are about 27″ wide plus the wheelchair user will require room for their hands on the wheels and in order to prevent damage to the walls a little extra room to move.
Standard wheelchairs require a 5’x 5′ turning radius. It the wheelchair user is very good with their wheelchair a 4’x 4′ wide turning radius will suffice, but 5’x 5′ will reduce wall damage. If someone is utilizing a power wheelchair their wheelchair turns aren’t usually as accurate and the chair is usually larger than a standard wheelchair. A power wheelchair user or a bariatric wheelchair user requires at least a 6’x 6′ turn radius.
When planning for a wheelchair accessible bedroom it is important to plan for the wheelchair to be able to turn on at least two sides of the bed. For the side of the bed that does not allow for a turn radius for the wheelchair, there must be enough room for the wheelchair to propel in a straight path.
The wheelchair access areas should be planned with furniture in mind. For example, most dressers are approximately 2-feet wide, so when figuring out pathways remember to figure in furniture.
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- Always allow room for the wheelchair to maneuver, at least two pathways around the bed with full turn radii and one with pathway for straight mobility.
- Plan for nightstands next to the bed for access to necessities while in bed.
- Light switches or touch lamps next to bed.
- Electrical outlets near bed for charging electric wheelchairs or phones. Outlets should be mounted high enough so wheelchair user won’t have to bend over to utilize the outlets.
- Dressing station should be planned into bedroom configuration.
- Closets require 5′ turning radius in front or if a walk-in closet a 5′ turn radius is required for accessibility.
Any more suggestions for planning a handicap accessible bedroom? Please comment on what you like or don’t like about the usability of your bedroom handicapped accessible or not.