How Pocket Doors Helped Transform a Love It or List It Renovation for Real-Life Accessibility
Love It or List It on Channel 4 featured Grantham couple Sam and Andy, who found themselves at a crossroads with their bungalow. After Andy became a wheelchair user following a motorcycle accident, the pair had chosen single-level living — believing it would make life easier. But narrow corridors, uneven floor levels and a dated layout meant their home was no longer working for everyday life. While Andy felt ready to sell, Sam hoped smart renovation could deliver both function and comfort without moving.
This episode was a great reminder that accessibility isn’t just a design buzzword — it’s a practical necessity. A key part of making any home genuinely inclusive is thoughtful circulation, especially where mobility challenges are involved. As Andy says 'I don't want to feel disabled in my own home'. Standard hinged doors can reduce usable space, interrupt flow, and create barriers for wheelchair users — exactly the kinds of frustrations many homeowners face.
This is where pocket doors such as those from ECLISSE UK really shine.
Pocket Doors: A Practical Accessibility Solution
Pocket doors slide into the wall cavity rather than opening across a room. This means:
Maximum clear openings — ideal for wheelchair users or anyone needing extra space to navigate comfortably.
No swing arc — removing the intruding space a traditional door requires helps keep corridors and rooms fully navigable.
Seamless flow between areas — critical in open-plan design or when linking key spaces like kitchens, bathrooms and accessible bedrooms.
For a family like Sam and Andy — tackling a renovation with accessibility top of mind — selecting pocket doors can have a meaningful impact on everyday usability as part of a broader re-layout solution.
Design in Action — Elevating Flow and Functionality
Although Channel 4’s Love It or List It episode didn’t specify every product used, the principles showcased are exactly where ECLISSE pocket doors excel:
Increase Usable Space
By eliminating door swing, pocket doors make hallways and room entries easier to navigate for wheelchair users — critical in a bungalow where flow matters.
Create Barrier-Free Transitions
The smooth, horizontal movement of a pocket door aligns with accessible design best practices, avoiding thresholds and obstacles.
Enhance Aesthetic Continuity
ECLISSE systems are available in several styles, from classic with architrave to refined minimal designs — meaning accessible living doesn’t compromise on visual appeal.
Renovation shows like Love It or List It give everyday homeowners insight into how strategic design can revitalise a home. For ECLISSE UK customers — whether architectural professionals or self-builders — the key takeaway is that accessibility can be beautifully integrated without sacrificing style or practicality.
Every renovation decision — from room layout to door choice — contributes to how a home feels and functions. Choosing pocket doors isn’t just a space-saving solution: it’s a way to make homes welcoming and adaptable for every stage of life.
Watch the full episode here