Uplifts partners with award-winning interior designer to transform home accessibility design
Homelift specialists Uplifts has announced an exciting partnership with acclaimed interior designer Ayisha Onuorah, aimed at revolutionising how we think about accessibility in the home.
Uplifts hopes that the new collaboration will challenge the perception that mobility aids must compromise on style, proving that functional design can be both beautiful and dignified.
The partnership will make its public debut at Grand Designs Live, where Ayisha has designed exclusive fabric for the Uplifts homelift. This bespoke design showcases how homelifts can be transformed from purely functional equipment into statement pieces that enhance rather than detract from interior spaces.
“We’re challenging the outdated notion that accessibility means compromise,” said Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapist at Uplifts. “This partnership with Ayisha proves that mobility aids are changing – they can be both functional and beautiful, fitting seamlessly into any home’s aesthetic.”
Ayisha Onuorah added: “Design should never be about choosing between form and function, it should be about creating spaces that are both beautiful and work for real life. This collaboration with Uplifts allows us to reimagine what accessibility looks like in the home.
“When we design mobility aids that people actually want to showcase rather than hide, we’re not just changing interiors, we’re changing lives and empowering people to age gracefully in the homes they love.”
Supporting the partnership launch, Uplifts commissioned research by One Poll surveying 2,000 people, revealing significant insights about public attitudes toward home mobility aids. Its research revealed 71 per cent considered appearance to be important when deciding to install home aids, with 28 per cent stating it was “very important”.
Approximately 38 per cent reported that they would be more likely to invest in aids that don’t make homes look “disabled” while 40 per cent stated that they wanted products designed to look like everyday furniture for visible areas of the house.
Thirty per cent of respondents stated that they would be more likely to invest in home aids if they look good and match their home décor.
The research also highlighted cost misconceptions, with 38 per cent not knowing how much a homelift costs to install and revealed that 31 per cent believe sleeping downstairs is more cost-effective than installing proper mobility solutions.
Visitors to Grand Designs Live can hear from both Kate and Ayisha across multiple speaking sessions:
Saturday 4th:
1pm – Sustainability Stage: “Design with Dignity” – exploring how to design adaptive homes for growing families and future accessibility needs
2pm – Home and Garden Stage: “Interior Design for Multi-use Spaces” – explores how thoughtful design fosters comfort, efficiency, and wellbeing, helping homes adapt to changing needs and generations
4pm – Renovation and Build Stage: “Bold Design with Purpose” – Ayisha shares her approach to creating impactful, functional interiors
Sunday 5th:
11am – Sustainability Stage: “Designing for Multi-Generational Living” – addressing flexible spaces for all ages and stages
4pm – Home and Garden Stage: “Designing for Independence and Sustainability” – exploring energy-independent and accessible living solutions
Attendees of the sessions can learn from both experts, along with other guests such as Kevin McCloud and Kate Sandhu about creating homes that adapt with you and maintaining independence and dignity for years to come. They will also have the chance to meet Kate and Ayisha in person and discover how the collaboration is reshaping the landscape of accessible home design.
In June 2025, Sam Stannah, CEO of Uplifts was named one of The Manufacturer Top 100 innovators for 2025.For more information about Uplifts.
