Widening Doorways for Wheelchair Access at Home

Why doorway width matters more than you might think

If you use a wheelchair, or you're planning for a time when you might, doorways are often the first barrier you meet at home. A standard UK internal door leaf is usually 762mm or 838mm wide, but the clear opening width — the actual space you can pass through once the door, frame and hinges are taken into account — is often only 700mm to 750mm. Many manual wheelchairs need around 700mm, and powered chairs frequently need 750mm to 800mm. Add a little margin for your hands on the wheels or joystick, and that narrow gap becomes a daily struggle.

The good news is that you don't always need to knock down walls. Widening a doorway can be as simple as changing hinges, reversing the door, or removing the frame. The right approach depends on your home's construction, your wheelchair's dimensions, and how much space you have to play with.

Measure twice, cut once: assessing your clear opening

Before you lift a screwdriver, measure carefully. Use a metal tape measure and check the narrowest point of the doorway. This is usually between the door frame's strike jamb and the hinge jamb, but it can also be at the door stop or where the door leaf sits when open. Measure at the top, middle and bottom of the opening — old houses are rarely perfectly square.

Also measure your wheelchair's widest point, including the wheels, footrests and any joystick or tray. Add at least 50mm of clearance on each side if you can, though even 25mm helps. Consider the approach: can you line up straight, or do you need to turn through the doorway? A tight approach needs more width.

• Clear opening width: measure from the face of the frame on one side to the face of the frame on the other, with the door open.
• Door leaf width: the door itself, not the frame.
• Frame thickness: often 25mm to 35mm each side.
• Threshold height: a lip of 15mm or more can stop small front castors.
• Approach space: at least 1200mm of clear space in front of the door helps.

Quick wins: offset hinges and removing the door

One of the simplest ways to gain width is to fit offset hinges (also called swing-clear hinges). These replace standard hinges and allow the door to swing clear of the frame, adding roughly 50mm to the clear opening. They work well on internal doors and are a favourite for a quick, low-cost improvement. You'll need a door that's not too heavy and a frame in good condition.

If you can manage without a door — or only need it occasionally — removing the door leaf altogether gives you the full frame width. That's often 100mm or more of extra space. You can store the door and refit it later, or replace it with a curtain or a sliding panel if privacy is needed. For a bathroom or bedroom, a removable door is a practical short-term fix while you plan something more permanent.

Reversing the door so it swings the other way doesn't usually change the clear width, but it can transform how you approach the doorway. If your chair currently gets stuck because the door opens towards you, reversing it so it opens away can give you the room to manoeuvre. It's a job for a competent DIYer, but check that the frame and architraves allow it — and that the door won't block a corridor or hit furniture.

Removing or altering the frame

When you need more than 50mm, the frame itself may have to go. Removing the architraves and the door frame can release another 50mm to 100mm, depending on the frame's thickness. You're then left with a rough opening that may need making good with plaster, a new lining, or a simple timber trim.

This is where you need to know what's above the doorway. In a load-bearing wall, the frame may be supporting a lintel or a brick arch. Never remove a structural frame without advice from a builder or structural engineer. Building control may also need to be involved if you're altering a load-bearing wall or a property that's listed or in a conservation area. For a non-load-bearing partition wall, it's usually more straightforward, but you'll still need to make the opening tidy and safe.

Wider solutions: new frames, sliding doors and open archways

If you're renovating, or if simple fixes aren't enough, replacing the door and frame gives you the chance to create a genuinely accessible opening. A new frame can be made to measure, with a clear width of 800mm or 850mm if space allows. Sliding doors and bi-fold doors avoid the swing space a hinged door needs, which is a huge help in small rooms and narrow hallways. Pocket doors that slide into the wall are elegant but require more building work.

Sometimes the best answer is to remove the door and frame entirely, creating an open archway. This is ideal for a hallway or between a living room and dining room, but less suitable for bathrooms or bedrooms. If you need privacy, consider a wide sliding door or a curtain. Whatever you choose, make sure the threshold is flush or ramped — a small rubber or timber ramp can bridge a lip of up to 25mm.

Take your time, measure carefully, and don't be afraid to ask for help. A local joiner, builder or occupational therapist can advise on your specific home. With a little planning, a doorway that once felt impossible can become a smooth, everyday passage.