Wheelchair Storage

Every Chair Needs a Home

Wheelchairs spend a surprising amount of time parked. Between outings, overnight, during a hospital stay or through the winter months, the chair has to live somewhere. Get wheelchair storage right and the chair stays in good condition, the house stays safe and tidy, and heading out is quick. Get it wrong and you end up with scuffed walls, blocked hallways, flat batteries and upholstery that smells of damp.

This guide covers where to keep a wheelchair at home, how to store it in a garage or shed, the covers and bags that help and how to care for a powered chair’s battery during storage.

Where Is the Most Practical Place to Store a Wheelchair at Home?

Storing a wheelchair near the main entrance or bedroom keeps it immediately accessible while preventing hallway congestion. For a chair used daily, somewhere close to the front door or the user’s bedroom saves effort. For a chair used occasionally, a cupboard or spare room keeps it out of the way. If more than one person fetches the chair, agree on a single parking place so nobody is left hunting for it when a taxi is waiting outside.

Good indoor spots share a few qualities:

• they are dry and at a steady room temperature;
• they do not block corridors, doors or escape routes;
• they leave the chair within easy reach of whoever needs to fetch it;
• they allow the chair to be parked without bumping walls or furniture.

Hallways are tempting because they are near the door, but a chair parked in a narrow hallway can become a trip hazard, especially at night or for visitors. If the hall is the only option, fold the chair and stand it against the wall on the side away from the main walking route.

How Do You Store a Folding Wheelchair in Small Spaces?

Collapsing the frame and removing quick-release wheels allows a folding wheelchair to fit neatly inside cupboards, behind doors or under stairs. Cross-brace chairs usually stand upright on their own, which suits a cupboard or the gap beside a wardrobe. Chairs with quick-release wheels can be broken down further and stored in pieces, although you then need a place for the wheels. Our guide to folding a wheelchair explains how to fold different designs safely.

Wall hooks designed for bicycles can sometimes hold a folded lightweight chair off the floor in a utility room or porch, but check the hook’s load rating and make sure the chair can be lifted down without strain. Never hang a chair where it might fall on someone.

Flats and Shared Buildings

Storage is especially tricky in flats. Communal hallways and landings are usually shared escape routes, and many buildings forbid leaving items there for fire safety reasons. Speak to your landlord, housing association or building manager before storing a chair in any shared space. Some buildings have a ground-floor bike store or mobility scooter room that could hold a wheelchair, sometimes with a charging point. Inside the flat, a folded chair often fits behind a door, in a wardrobe or in an alcove, and a chair with removable wheels can slide under a bed.

Garages and Sheds

A garage or shed frees up space in the house, but outdoor buildings bring their own challenges. Damp is the biggest enemy: it can rust frames, corrode bearings and encourage mould on upholstery. Cold can make tyres harden and stiffen moving parts. Pests may nibble fabric.

To protect a chair stored outdoors:

• raise it off a concrete floor on a pallet or board to avoid ground damp;
• cover it with a breathable, fitted cover rather than a plastic sheet that traps moisture;
• check it every few weeks for rust, damp or damage;
• keep it away from garden chemicals, fuel and tools that could fall onto it.

A purpose-built wheelchair shed or mobility store is an option for households without a garage. These are usually weatherproof with a ramped entrance, and some have a power point for charging. Check any local planning or tenancy rules before installing one.

Why Should You Use a Storage Cover for Your Wheelchair?

A protective storage cover shields wheelchair upholstery and metal components from moisture, dust and direct sunlight during extended parking. Look for one sized to the chair, open or folded, with a breathable fabric and a secure fastening. Our page on the wheelchair cover for storage covers the main types. For chairs that are stored folded in a car or cupboard, a padded carry bag does double duty, protecting the chair and making it easier to carry; see our selection of wheelchair travel bags.

Is It All Right to Leave a Chair in the Car?

Some households keep a second, lightweight chair permanently in the car boot, which saves carrying it in and out. That can work well for short periods, but cars get very hot in summer and cold and damp in winter. Heat can damage upholstery and soften some plastics, while condensation can encourage rust. If you keep a chair in the car, use a bag or cover, check it regularly and bring it indoors during very hot or very cold spells. Never leave a powered chair battery in a hot car.

Battery Care When a Powered Chair Is Stored

Powered chairs need extra attention if they will not be used for a while, because batteries slowly lose charge even when switched off. A battery left flat for a long time may never recover fully.

Before storing a powered chair, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which usually involve charging the battery to a recommended level, switching the chair off and sometimes disconnecting or removing the battery. Store the battery somewhere dry and frost-free, and top up the charge periodically as the manual advises. Our guide to batteries for electric wheelchairs has more on battery types and care.

Storing a Chair for Months at a Time

If a chair will be stored for a long period, for example after recovery from an injury or between seasonal uses, prepare it carefully. Clean the frame and upholstery thoroughly, dry it completely, and lubricate moving parts lightly if the manual recommends it. Check tyre pressures, since pneumatic tyres slowly lose air. Keep the manual, spare parts and tools together in a labelled bag so everything is ready when the chair is needed again.

When you bring the chair back into use, check the brakes, tyres, castors and fold mechanism before anyone sits in it.

Keeping Hallways Clear and Walls Protected

Parking a chair in the same spot every day can scuff walls and door frames. Wall guards or a simple strip of protective material at wheel height can prevent damage, and a marked parking area helps everyone keep routes clear. Our page on wall protectors for wheelchairs shows some options.

If your home needs bigger changes, such as a wider door or a ramped storage area, you may be able to get help. The NHS guide to home adaptations explains what support is available.

Wheelchair Storage Checklist

• Is the chair kept somewhere dry and out of walkways?
• Can the user or carer reach it easily when needed?
• Is it covered if stored in a garage or shed?
• Is the battery charged and cared for if it is a powered chair?

Good storage keeps a chair ready for use, protects your home and helps equipment last longer. Choose a spot that suits the way the chair is really used, protect it from damp and heat, and give it a quick check before each outing.