Is My Home Visitable?

Have you ever hosted a gathering or family dinner and wondered whether all your guests would be able to comfortably enter and move around your home? Or perhaps you or someone you know has mobility challenges that make visiting new places a concern. 

That’s where visitability comes in. 

Visitability is the concept of designing homes so that people with mobility concerns can easily visit, even if they don’t live there. Unlike accessibility, which typically follows formal regulations and focuses on long-term independent living, visitability is guided by voluntary design principles that make short-term visits smoother, safer, and more inclusive. 

A visitable home allows everyone – regardless of mobility level – to enter, move about the main floor, and use a bathroom without facing major barriers. 

The Three Core Elements of Visitability: 

1. Zero-step entry into the home 

2. Wide hallways (minimum 36") and doorways (minimum 32" clear opening) on the main floor 

3. A main floor bathroom (half or full) that can be accessed by someone using a wheelchair 

Designing for Visitability 

While these features are easiest to incorporate into new construction, many aspects can also be thoughtfully integrated into existing homes through renovations. The key isn’t necessarily added cost, it’s intentional design. Proper planning and coordination during the design phase, especially around entryways and foundation details, can make all the difference. 

Why Builders and Homebuyers Should Care 

Visitability is more than a trend, it’s a meaningful way to make homes more welcoming and future-ready. Builders, designers, and homeowners alike can champion this approach, ensuring that homes are not only beautiful, but are inclusive for everyone who enters... regardless of how they get there.