Beyond Accessibility: Designing Homes That Feel Like Home
For years, home modifications for mobility needs have prioritised function over feeling—necessary but uninspired. Stainless steel grab bars and clinical-looking fixtures were introduced with little consideration for how they transformed a home’s character.
Patrick Glinski’s company Capella Design (https://designbycapella.com/) is changing this paradigm by reimagining accessible home design. With a background in human-centred design, Glinski recognized a critical flaw: traditional modifications improved mobility but often created emotional barriers that made homes feel less like home. His mission? To destigmatize mobility products by creating solutions that enhance both function and beauty.
The Hospital Hangover
At Adaptive Living, we see many homeowners face what we call “The Hospital Hangover”—when clinical equipment and institutional fixtures begin to dominate, stripping homes of their warmth and personality. Through his research with Parkinson’s patients, Glinski discovered that while traditional modifications improved safety, they often created new emotional barriers.
“If installing a grab bar prevents a fall but makes someone feel ashamed of their space, we have solved one problem but created another,” Glinski explains.
This emotional impact has real consequences: fifty per cent of recommended home modifications never happen because people fear their homes will look too clinical. This resistance can lead to increased fall risks and reduced independence.
Design That Transforms Lives
Capella Design’s approach integrates safety seamlessly into stylish home design. Their innovative products include:
- The Spa Shower Stool: A spa-inspired seating solution that blends seamlessly into high-end bathrooms
- The Grab Bar Picture Frame: A discreet grab bar that doubles as décor, eliminating the clinical appearance of traditional supports
- The Transfer Side Table: An adjustable side table that enhances mobility while serving as elegant furniture
Even the language around these products has been carefully chosen. “‘Spa shower stool’ feels like an upgrade—something everyone can enjoy,” Glinski notes.
Smart Solutions, Significant Savings
Capella Design is proving that home safety doesn’t require expensive renovations—just smarter solutions. For instance, many assume they need built-in shower seating, which requires extensive plumbing modifications. Capella’s portable shower stool offers the same stability with greater flexibility and lower costs.
This success has caught the attention of interior designers who previously showed little interest in accessibility products. By winning design awards and appearing in top publications, Capella Design is proving that mobility solutions can be both practical and beautiful.
The Future of Home Design
As the population ages and demand for accessibility grows, Glinski sees a shift toward more aesthetically integrated solutions. This evolution represents more than just design—it’s about preserving dignity and ensuring homes remain places of comfort, not just function.
For those hesitating to make home modifications due to aesthetic concerns, the options are expanding. Today’s solutions prove that safety can be stylish, and accessibility doesn’t mean compromise.
Next month, we’ll showcase the latest innovations in accessible luxury design. Have a topic you’d love us to explore? Let us know!
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