Creating Accessible Living Spaces in a Bungalow

In a bungalow you have reception rooms, bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. They are all pretty standard. You make have cupboards and bits but essentially bungalows don’t alter much. And everything is on the ground floor. As stairs hurt to climb I find my space to be so much better.

When I moved in June I wanted a few things from the house. So stairs was an easy win, the house didn’t come with any. The possibility I could maintain the house by myself without a cleaner or anything, was another. I needed outside space for the dog and room for the studio.

Initially, when I saw the house with its carport, I thought I would build a room where the carport was. Easy extension. Put the studio out there. Have a writing room in the house then a snug and spare bedroom. After moving in, it was easy to see that adding more house would increase the housework. It would go beyond what I could manage. I want to be able to look after my house for as long as possible. I loved my carers in Swansea but here I didn’t want to feel ‘cared’ for. I am disabled but I want to feel able bodied.

That means I need to adapt my house to my needs. First thing was easy. I had the plumber come in and remove the bathroom. He started from scratch and created a shower and suite. This allows me to use it. It is easy to clean and wonderfully modern. I still need a grab bar, but that can go in when occupational health arrives. The kitchen is booked in for the October as well. There will be no cupboards, just drawers that pull out. Easy access for me. Both these rooms were easy. Both were needed and both had to be done.

Then the living accommodation. I have 3 bedrooms and one reception room. I need a dining room, a snug or TV room and a studio and of course a bedroom. 4 living units, 4 rooms, if I get rid of the spare bedroom. At first I was reluctant to do it. I have friends and family who might visit. They might need to stay. They might need a bed. They might need help. But the reality is that everyone I know will likely make the trip in one day. If they do stop, they will just want a one night stay. Do I keep a room for ‘just in case’?

So this last week, I decided to not keep a spare room. I am going to put a sofa bed in the studio. I’m also going to make the biggest room in the house the studio. It is at the front and is the least insulated room. It has 3 external walls and wonderful light. This is the room I want to work in.

That means I will move into the back of the house. Let me show you a plan so you can see…

So on the plan I have put ‘business’ rather than the studio. The living places you can see are all in the back of the property. There is a potential to knock an ‘arch’ between the new dining room and living room. Not sure it is a good idea but there is the possibility.

The new dining room is small, but not too small. It is big enough for a table. I am considering getting rid of my round one. I might put in a rectangle instead. I think it will ‘fit’ better. But for the time being the round one will work. Then I will move my narrow bookcases in there and the glasses cabinet.

The glasses cabinet… It is ugly but a decent bit of furniture. IKEA before they started using particle board. This is a solid bit of furniture. But the bottom of the unit has no doors – they broke in the move. The top ones are glass and I hate glass or high gloss. Not sure why. I can do glass in the kitchen but anywhere else – no thank you. So I hit the IKEA website. The besta unit is the same size so I can buy new doors! That means I can cheaply revamp the unit.

That makes me happy.

My spare bedroom can became a small functional dining room.

The larger bedroom can be my snug. It is cozy and has great relaxed feel. The windows at the back of the house look out on the back garden and mountains. It is a beautiful view. And there is the potential to replace one of the windows with a french door. I think it is going to work really well.

Now, I just got to work out how to do it. Because being a little mobility restricted and in pain I can’t simply swap the rooms in a day. I am going to have to do this a bit at a time. But it is possible, if daunting. And once it is complete I should have room to work and relax. WIth a dining table to use for eating and cutting large fabric. And to do a puzzle. I miss doing puzzles.