- Homelift specialist Uplifts will challenge architects, designers and homeowners to rethink the role of accessibility in residential design when it exhibits at Grand Designs Live at Birmingham’s NEC from 2-4 October 2026. Uplifts will use this year’s show as a platform to launch its new “Design Better” campaign, calling on the housing industry to move away from treating accessibility as an afterthought and instead consider how inclusive design can be incorporated into both new projects and existing homes.

With Grand Designs Live attracting architects, designers, specifiers, developers and homeowners, Uplifts will use its presence at the show to spark a wider conversation about the future of residential design and how homes can be created or adapted to work for everyone, at every stage of life. As the official lift partner for the show, Uplifts will also play a key role in supporting the show’s commitment to innovative and considered home design.

Sam Stannah, CEO of Uplifts, said “Grand Designs Live provides us with an opportunity to challenge the way we think about residential design. Accessibility shouldn’t be something that is considered only when a specific need arises, or simply designed around minimum requirements. Ideally, inclusive design should be part of the conversation from the very beginning, but designing better doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. There are many ways existing homes and spaces can be adapted to make them more inclusive, accessible and practical for the people living in them. Through our ‘Design Better’ campaign, we want to encourage architects, designers and homeowners to think differently about what makes a truly great home, and to recognise that beautiful, aspirational design and inclusive living can, and should, go hand in hand.”

At the heart of the campaign is a simple message: great design should work for everyone. Uplifts believes accessible homes and beautiful homes should not be viewed as separate concepts, and that accessibility should be considered as part of good design, whether that means incorporating inclusive features from the first sketch of a new project or thoughtfully adapting an existing space to meet changing needs.

Kate Sheehan, in-house occupational therapist at Uplifts, commented “From an occupational therapy perspective, good home design is ultimately about creating spaces that enable people to live the lives they want to live, both now and in the future. Our needs can change throughout our lives, but accessibility is too often considered only when a specific need arises. We want to encourage people to look at their homes differently and consider how thoughtful, inclusive design can support independence without compromising on aesthetics. Whether someone is designing a new home or looking at how they can adapt the space they already have, there are practical ways to make a home more accessible and better suited to the people living in it.”

As part of its presence at the show, Uplifts will also unveil its latest accessibility innovations, designed to support more independent living and help challenge perceptions around what accessible home design can look like. While further details will be revealed closer to the show, the developments form part of Uplifts’ wider ambition to help redefine what great, inclusive residential design looks like.

The company will also take to the stage across both days of the show, sharing its expertise and challenging traditional thinking around accessible design.

On 2 October, Uplifts’ Louis Stannah, sixth generation of the Stannah family, Kate Sheehan and Karl Lumsden, Uplifts architectural designer, will appear at the Build & Renovate Theatre for “Design Better: Why Inclusive Homes Should Be the Standard.” The session will explore why accessibility is still too often treated as an afterthought and how architects, developers and specifiers can move beyond minimum standards to create homes that are fit for the future.

On 3 October, Kate and Karl will also take to the Home & Garden Stage for “Better Homes Start With Better Design.” The session will look at how thoughtful design can create homes that are beautiful, practical and adaptable throughout life, while exploring how accessibility can be integrated into new homes and existing spaces without compromising aesthetics.

The Uplifts team will be available throughout the show, with opportunities to discuss inclusive architecture, accessible living, adapting existing spaces, the future of residential design and the company’s latest innovations.

To find out more about Uplifts, visit: https://www.uplifts.com/