Indoor Ramps for Wheelchairs

Where Indoor Ramps for Wheelchairs Help

Most people think of ramps at the front door, but plenty of homes have level changes inside too. A step down into a sunken lounge, a raised floor in an extension, a split-level landing in an older house or the lip of a wet room can all stop a wheelchair. Indoor ramps for wheelchairs bridge those changes so the whole ground floor can be used, not just the rooms that happen to be level.

Inside the home the priorities shift. The ramp has to share space with furniture, doors and other people, it must not become a trip hazard, and it should look as if it belongs. This guide covers the main choices and what to think about before buying.

Common Indoor Level Changes

• Internal door thresholds. A raised strip or change of flooring between rooms, often only a lip.
• Single steps between rooms. Common in extensions, conservatories and houses built on sloping ground.
• Split-level floors. A few steps between two halves of a room or between a hall and a living area.
• Wet room and shower lips. A small upstand at the edge of a shower area.
• Raised patio or garden door frames. Technically the edge of the house, but often tackled from the inside.

Each one needs a different answer. A lip can often be solved with a slim threshold ramp, while a step or two is a much bigger job.

Threshold, Freestanding and Built-In Ramps

For small lips, a threshold ramp in aluminium or rubber is usually enough. Some are adjustable, and some can be trimmed to fit the width of a doorway.

For a single step, freestanding ramps are available in aluminium, rubber and plastic, and some modular systems are designed for indoor use. Folding ramps like those in the product cards can be used indoors on an occasional basis, such as when a visitor comes or when a chair is used only now and then, but a ramp left out permanently in a living space needs to sit flat and be stable.

Where there are several steps or the ramp will be used many times a day, a built-in timber ramp made by a joiner or builder often looks and works better. It can be finished with the same flooring as the room and shaped to suit the space.

Space, Turning and Door Swings

An indoor ramp takes up floor space, and that is often the hardest part to plan. The chair needs flat space at the top and bottom to stop, turn and line up with doors. If a door opens across the top of the ramp, the user may have to pull the door towards them while perched on a slope, which is awkward and tiring.

Before buying, walk the route with the chair and think about:

• Could a joiner swap the hinges to the other side of the door, or fit a sliding door instead?
• Where furniture will need to move to leave a clear path.
• Whether the ramp will block a radiator, a socket or a cupboard.
• How other people, including children and anyone with a walking frame, will move around it.

Trip Hazards and Visibility

A ramp in a hallway or living room is a new obstacle for everyone else. The edges are the biggest risk: a raised lip at the side or end of a ramp can catch a toe, especially at night. Look for ramps with bevelled sides, or consider edge strips in a contrasting colour so the change in level is easy to see.

Good lighting helps. A plug-in night light or a motion sensor light near an indoor ramp makes it easier to see for anyone moving around after dark, including the wheelchair user.

Floors, Carpets and Surfaces

The floor under the ramp matters as much as the ramp itself. On thick carpet, a freestanding ramp can shift or sink slightly, while on laminate, tiles or polished wood it can slide. Rubber feet or a non-slip underlay help, and some ramps can be fixed down with screws or tape.

The top surface needs grip for tyres and for anyone walking on it. Ribbed aluminium is grippy but can be noisy and cold; carpeted ramps are quieter and blend in, but can hold dirt and wear faster. Ask how each surface cleans and whether it will mark the floor underneath.

Wet Rooms and Shower Lips

Bathrooms bring extra challenges. A shower tray with a raised lip, or a wet room with a small upstand to hold water back, can stop a shower chair or a wheelchair at the edge. Small ramps made for wet areas exist, but they must be designed to get wet and to let water drain, otherwise they trap water and become slippery or grow mould underneath.

In many cases a level-access shower is the better long-term answer, and it is one of the adaptations councils most often help with. A plumber or bathroom fitter used to accessible bathrooms can say whether the floor can be altered, and an occupational therapist can advise on the layout and any equipment needed.

Renting, Visiting and Short-Term Needs

Not every indoor ramp needs to be permanent. If you rent, a freestanding ramp that can be lifted away when you leave avoids arguments with the landlord. The same goes for a chair that is only needed for a while, or for a relative who visits with a wheelchair a few times a year. A folding ramp stored in a cupboard can be set out when needed and packed away afterwards, leaving the room as it was.

Indoor Ramps for Powered Chairs

Powered chairs are heavier and often longer than manual chairs, and their small front castors can catch on sharp edges. They also need more room to turn at the top and bottom. Check the chair’s handbook for the maker’s guidance on ramps and slopes, and ask your wheelchair service or supplier if anything is unclear. Look at the stated load on any ramp and compare it with the chair and user together.

Getting Professional Advice

For anything beyond a small threshold, it is worth asking for advice before spending money. An occupational therapist can assess how the chair user moves around the home, whether a ramp is the right answer, and what shape and length would suit. They may suggest alternatives such as a platform lift or a different layout.

Councils can arrange assessments, and a Disabled Facilities Grant can sometimes help pay for adaptations inside the home. Building control or a qualified builder should be involved in any structural changes.

Keeping an Indoor Ramp in Good Condition

Vacuum or sweep indoor ramps regularly, because grit and hair collect in textured surfaces. Check that feet, fixings and edge strips are still secure, and that the ramp has not crept away from the step. For carpeted ramps, spot-clean spills promptly so the surface stays grippy. If the ramp starts to flex, rock or creak, stop using it until it has been checked.

Related Guides on Ramps Around the Home

For internal doors, see doorway ramps for wheelchairs and the guide to a door threshold ramp for wheelchairs. For a bigger level change, read about building a wheelchair ramp over steps. If you are choosing a chair mainly for use at home, our page on the best indoor electric wheelchair may help.