Age in Place Safely and Comfortably

At Benkamin Designs, we believe that your home should support you through every stage of life. As Knoxville's premier specialists in ADA modifications and aging-in-place renovations, we help homeowners create safe, accessible living spaces without sacrificing beauty or comfort. With over 20 years of experience serving seniors and individuals with mobility challenges throughout East Tennessee, we understand how to make thoughtful modifications that allow you to remain in the home you love.

Whether you're planning for the future, recovering from surgery, or accommodating a family member with accessibility needs, our certified experts deliver solutions that enhance safety, independence, and quality of life. We approach every project with sensitivity and respect, working closely with you, your family, and healthcare providers to create modifications that truly meet your needs.

Comprehensive ADA & Accessibility Services

Our accessibility modification services cover every area of your home where safety and access matter most:

• Bathroom Accessibility: Zero-entry showers, walk-in tubs, grab bars, raised toilets, comfort-height vanities, handheld showerheads, and non-slip flooring for safer bathing.
• Ramp Installation: Custom-designed wheelchair ramps featuring proper slope, handrails, landings, and non-slip surfaces that complement your home's exterior.
• Doorway Widening: Modifying door frames to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers while maintaining your home's architectural character.
• Kitchen Modifications: Lowered countertops, pull-out shelves, lever-handle faucets, accessible appliance placement, and improved lighting for safer meal preparation.
• Stair Solutions: Chair lifts, residential elevators, and stair modifications that improve access between multiple levels of your home.
• Flooring Transitions: Eliminating thresholds and tripping hazards by creating seamless transitions between different flooring types.
• Grab Bar Installation: Professionally installed grab bars in bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways, properly anchored to wall studs for maximum safety.
• Lighting Improvements: Enhanced lighting in hallways, stairs, and entryways to improve visibility and prevent accidents.

Why Trust Benkamin Designs with Your Accessibility Project?

ADA modifications require specialized knowledge of building codes, universal design principles, and the unique needs of individuals with mobility challenges. Our team brings:

• Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists: Our team holds CAPS certifications from the National Association of Home Builders, ensuring expertise in universal design and accessibility.
• Code Compliance Knowledge: We thoroughly understand ADA guidelines, Tennessee accessibility requirements, and local building codes to ensure your modifications are fully compliant.
• Healthcare Coordination: We work directly with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and healthcare providers to address specific medical requirements.
• Beautiful Design Integration: Accessibility features don't have to look institutional. We create modifications that enhance your home's aesthetic appeal.
• Compassionate Service: We understand that accessibility projects often involve life changes. Our team provides patient, respectful service during what can be an emotional time.
• Licensed & Insured: Full licensing and insurance protect your investment and provide peace of mind that the work is done correctly.

Bathroom Safety: Our Specialty

The bathroom is statistically the most dangerous room in any home, especially for seniors and those with mobility limitations. We specialize in transforming traditional bathrooms into safe, accessible spaces without making them feel clinical or hospital-like. Zero-entry showers eliminate dangerous thresholds, allowing easy wheelchair access while featuring beautiful tile work that rivals any luxury bathroom. We install heavy-duty grab bars that match your fixtures and decor, proving that safety features can be stylish.

Walk-in tubs have become increasingly popular for their therapeutic benefits as well as safety. These tubs feature doors that seal watertight, built-in seating, and massaging jets that can soothe arthritis pain and improve circulation. For clients who prefer showers, we install handheld showerheads with adjustable height settings, built-in shower seats, and easy-to-reach controls that eliminate the need to reach across potentially slippery surfaces.

Entry & Access Solutions

Getting safely in and out of your home is fundamental to independence. We design and build wheelchair ramps that not only meet all safety requirements but also complement your home's architecture. Using materials like composite decking, stone pavers, or decorative concrete, we create ramps that enhance curb appeal rather than detract from it. Our designs always include proper landings, handrails on both sides, non-slip surfaces, and appropriate slope ratios for easy navigation.

For homes where steps are unavoidable, we install chair lifts and residential elevators that provide safe access between levels. Modern stairlifts are remarkably sleek, featuring comfortable seats, smooth operation, battery backup for power outages, and fold-away designs that don't obstruct stairs for other users.

Kitchen Accessibility for Independent Living

The kitchen presents unique accessibility challenges, but thoughtful modifications can make meal preparation safe and enjoyable again. We lower countertops to appropriate heights for wheelchair access while maintaining prep areas at standing height for ambulatory family members. Pull-out shelves and lazy Susans eliminate the need to reach into deep cabinets, while drawer-style refrigerators and dishwashers provide easier access than traditional models.

Lever-style faucet handles replace difficult-to-grasp knob styles, and we install side-opening ovens at appropriate heights to prevent dangerous reaching over hot doors. Improved task lighting under cabinets and brighter overall illumination make food preparation safer for those with vision limitations.

Fall Prevention Throughout Your Home

Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors, but many fall risks can be eliminated through smart home modifications. We identify and address tripping hazards like uneven thresholds between rooms, loose carpeting, and slippery area rugs. Our flooring solutions create seamless transitions between different types of flooring while maintaining a unified look throughout your home.

We also improve lighting throughout the home, installing motion-sensor lights in hallways and bathrooms, brighter bulbs in existing fixtures, and additional lighting on stairways. For clients with specific vision concerns, we can install high-contrast trim and flooring to make boundaries more visible.

Funding Assistance for Accessibility Projects

Many homeowners don't realize that financial assistance may be available for accessibility modifications. Veterans may qualify through the VA, while some Medicare Advantage plans and long-term care insurance policies cover certain modifications. Tennessee's various housing assistance programs sometimes provide grants or low-interest loans for accessibility improvements. While we don't directly handle funding applications, we can provide documentation and estimates needed for applications and refer you to resources that may help offset costs.

Planning for the Future

The best time to plan for aging-in-place is before you actually need accessibility features. If you're considering renovations or planning to stay in your home long-term, incorporating universal design principles proactively can be more cost-effective than emergency modifications later. We're happy to consult on design choices that will serve you well for years to come, even if you're not ready to implement them immediately.

Start Your Accessibility Project

Contact Benkamin Designs today for a free in-home consultation. We'll assess your current accessibility challenges, discuss your specific needs or those of your family member, and provide recommendations for creating a safer, more accessible home. Our team serves Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Farragut, and surrounding areas. Call us at (865) 229-6757 or use our contact form to schedule your assessment. Let us help you create a home that supports your independence and enhances your quality of life.