‘My son is autistic and I’m very interested in designing for people with neurodiversity’
At this year’s Ideal Home Show, former Interior Design Masters contestant Ayisha Onuorah, who appeared on series six of the show in 2025, unveiled a bespoke fabric with an important message.
It was created as part of her partnership with homelift company, Uplifts, to champion design-led approaches to accessibility, challenge industry perceptions, and demonstrate how mobility solutions can enhance, rather than compromise, interior aesthetics. ‘It’s an exciting opportunity to show how even the smallest design details can transform functional features into something special,’ says Ayisha.
‘I'm thrilled to continue working with Uplifts on such an important mission. Their commitment to proving that accessibility and beautiful design can go hand in hand is vital – not just for the industry, but for changing how we think about homes that serve us at every stage of life.’
- TV DIY expert Nick Knowles shares his top tips to save you £££s!
- 24 decor industry pros reveal their all-time IKEA favourites
How did you go from modelling to interior design?
I’ve been modelling since I was a child and was still doing it during my politics degree at university. Three years ago, I started renovating my home and it opened up a whole new pathway into design because I enjoyed it so much. I enrolled on a six-week course at the KLC School of Design, which inspired me to do the diploma and then ultimately the three-year BA, so I completely retrained to be an interior designer.
I always say that it basically spiralled out of control! It was a very happy accident though, and it brought together the worlds I love.
And were you hoping to be on Interior Design Masters one day?
Not at all! I was halfway through the second year of my BA and was approached in the cafeteria about being on Interior Design Masters. I went back to my classmates and told them I was going to be on the show! All I’d done at that point was say yes, but somehow I just knew I was.
I had to do my final degree project while I was filming it. The timing was crazy, and it was an intense experience, but I really enjoyed it. I graduated last July, and now I’m the interior designer on Can’t Sell Must Sell, which I’m currently filming for Channel 4.
What inspires your fabric designs?
People regularly tell me that my fabrics have an African style, which is interesting because it’s not on purpose. I am of Nigerian descent, but it must be something I do subconsciously – these are just the colours, motifs and patterns I’m drawn to. Music and fashion are big influences too. My latest collection is inspired by Nigeria – I’ve decided to roll with it now because it works so well.
Working for clients and realising there were fabrics I needed but didn’t exist prompted me to design my own. I draw them digitally and have them printed, but I’m also currently developing a range with designs woven into the fabric, to add depth and texture. I like to use natural materials as they feel grounding and earthy, and I love bold colours.
Embracing bold colours in our homes is often considered to be a ‘brave’ choice – why do you think that is?
It feels very natural to me, but a lot of my clients certainly tell me that it’s a real stumbling block for them because they don’t know how to approach it. I’m trying to bring it in with my fabrics and show how it can be incorporated with smaller accessories like cushions and footstools.
People often embrace colour with their outfits, but decor feels like a much bigger commitment, and one that they worry will involve a lot of work and cost to undo if they don’t like it. If you get the composition right though, colour doesn’t have to feel ‘too much’ when you go into a space. It can be calming rather than overwhelming.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
On Interior Design Masters, they described it as ‘bold romantic’ and I loved that. My fabrics are definitely bold, but there’s also a natural, earthy element to them.
Where does your focus on inclusive, accessible and forward-thinking design come from?
Obviously, a lot of what I do is about aesthetics but it’s also about how someone feels in a space. My son is autistic and I’m very interested in designing for people with neurodiversity. I made my son’s room feel enclosed and cocoon-like because he likes to sit in a tent, and I think about sensory and lighting issues in public spaces.
To be a good designer, I think you have to design with all people in mind, and there’s a whole section of society – those with reduced mobility – who aren’t really being designed for. Working with Uplifts really brought that to my attention.
Why do you think accessibility is still overlooked or misunderstood in modern interior design?
There’s still a stigma about it, and features can feel and look like an afterthought or an add-on because they’re not integrated from the beginning. I think the idea of having choice is vital, like being able to choose the fabric for your homelift, as you would a sofa or cushion. It doesn’t have to be plain and white.
Something like a lift can be emotive and might already have a negative connotation, for example if it’s tied to an accident or the loss of mobility, so why wouldn’t we try to make that feel better, and part of life? And if we can make functional pieces of technology look more beautiful, then perhaps we’ll embrace it more. That’s essentially what we’re talking about – function meeting aesthetics.
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to design for the future?
When I go to see clients, they’ll tell me it’s their forever home but they’re not actually thinking far enough down the line – none of us are. Parents-to-be think about future playrooms, children’s rooms, teenage spaces, but often that’s where it ends.
It’s a bit unsexy to think about a time when you might not be able to get up the stairs, and nobody wants to acknowledge it – until they have to, and then it’s a case of being reactive rather than proactive. Thinking about it from the start means it can be integrated and intentional.
What’s your favourite space you’ve designed and why?
It has to be my own home because it really stretched my design skills. It was much harder to design for myself than someone else as I’m so much closer to it – it’s where I live and raise my family. We all feel happy in it.
Can you share a top tip design tip?
Make your space functional. Hallways, for example, are often overlooked, or owners struggle with what to do with them. Keep it simple – think about storage, or somewhere to sit while you take your shoes off.
‘Accessibility and style are not mutually inclusive’
Sam Stannah is the founder and CEO of Uplifts and believes future-proofing our homes is integral to good design.
How important are aesthetics for accessibility features?
Enormously important, and honestly, more so than ever. We’re seeing homeowners approach accessibility features with the same level of design scrutiny they bring to a kitchen extension or a bathroom renovation. They want to know how it will look, how it will feel, and whether it will complement rather than clash with their existing interiors. That’s a really positive shift.
At Uplifts, we've always believed that form and function should work together, and the fact that more homeowners are asking those design questions up front tells us the conversation is moving in the right direction. A homelift shouldn't feel like a compromise, it should feel like a considered, elegant addition to your home.
In your experience, are homeowners now planning accessibility features earlier in the design process rather than retrofitting them later?
Increasingly, yes. There's growing awareness that retrofitting is often more disruptive and more expensive, and that planning for future needs from the outset is simply smarter design. We're having more conversations with people in the early stages of a renovation or new build who are thinking ahead, not because they necessarily need a homelift right now, but because they want to make provision for one.
That might mean strengthening a floor, or leaving the right footprint in a layout. It's a really encouraging trend, and it's a conversation we actively champion. Future-proofing a home shouldn't be reactive, it should be part of the original vision.
How are architects and interior designers influencing the way accessibility solutions are designed and integrated into homes?
Hugely. The design community has been instrumental in changing the language around accessibility. When architects and interior designers treat accessibility features as design opportunities rather than compliance checkboxes, everything changes.
Our collaboration with Ayisha is a great example of that. She brings a design-first perspective that challenges us to think creatively about materials, finishes, and integration. When a respected interior designer is excited about the possibilities a homelift presents, that has a powerful effect on how homeowners view it too.
Products that once prioritised function above all else are now being reimagined with materials, forms and finishes that belong in a beautifully designed home.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions people still have about accessibility products in the home?
The biggest one is still that accessibility products are purely functional, clinical, utilitarian, designed for hospitals rather than homes. That perception is outdated, but it persists. People are often genuinely surprised when they see what a modern homelift looks like.
Another misconception is that installation is hugely disruptive. Our homelifts are shaftless and can typically be installed in just a couple of days with minimal structural work, which surprises a lot of people.
There's also a tendency to assume these products are only for the elderly or those with significant mobility challenges. In reality, a homelift benefits the whole household, carrying heavy laundry, bringing shopping upstairs, and helping after an injury. The use cases are much broader than people assume.
What are your thoughts on the stigma surrounding accessibility and ageing in the home?
It's something I feel strongly about. There's an unhelpful cultural narrative that planning for later life is somehow admitting defeat, or that making your home accessible is a sign of decline. That's not only outdated, it actively harms people, because it means they delay decisions until a crisis forces their hand. The homes that work best are those designed to support the full arc of a life, not just a single stage of it.
At Uplifts, one of our core missions is to reframe that conversation. Accessibility isn't about limitation, it's about independence, dignity, and being able to live on your own terms, in the home you love, for longer. That's something anyone can aspire to.
How does installing a homelift affect the long-term usability and value of a property?
On both counts, the impact is very positive. From a usability perspective, a homelift fundamentally changes how a home functions, it makes every floor fully accessible, which opens up options that simply weren't there before. For families, for those with changing mobility needs, or for people who simply want maximum convenience, that's transformative.
On value, we're seeing growing recognition from estate agents and developers that accessibility features are a genuine selling point rather than a niche consideration. As our population ages and future-proofing becomes more mainstream, homes that are already set up for lifelong living command real interest. An Uplifts homelift is an investment in the quality of your life now and the appeal of your home later.
Are there particular types of homes or layouts where home lifts are becoming especially popular?
Multi-generational homes are a significant growth area for us right now, and I think it tells a really important story. Our own research found that almost half of British households now span multiple generations under one roof, and a big part of that is being driven by the cost of living. Families are choosing to live together out of financial pragmatism as much as anything else, and that's creating homes that need to work for a much wider range of people simultaneously.
What's interesting is how quickly families discover that a homelift installed with an elderly parent in mind becomes something the whole household relies on. It’s the everyday practical things that make the difference. Carrying the hoover upstairs, bringing heavy shopping deliveries to the kitchen, moving suitcases when people come to stay.
These aren't accessibility edge cases; they're just daily life in a busy multi-generational home. The solution designed for one person's needs ends up making life genuinely easier for everyone. That's the essence of universal design, and it's why I'd push back on the idea that a homelift is ever really just for one person. In a multi-generational household especially, it serves the whole family, across every age and every level of mobility.
Do you think accessibility design is becoming part of mainstream home design rather than a specialist category?
Absolutely, and I'd go further – accessibility shouldn't need to become ‘mainstream’ because it should never have been treated as a niche in the first place. Being able to access every part of your own home isn't a luxury or a lifestyle choice; it’s a basic right.
The fact that it's been historically siloed into a specialist category says more about the limitations of the design industry than it does about the needs of the people living in these homes. I see homelifts becoming as standard a consideration in a well-designed home as a second bathroom or a well-planned kitchen.
What advice would you give to homeowners who want to make their homes both stylish and accessible for the long term?
Start the conversation early, and don’t treat accessibility as a separate track from your main design thinking. Bring it into the room when you're talking about layout, materials, finishes, because that's where the best outcomes happen.
Work with designers and architects who understand inclusive design, and don't be afraid to ask for what you want aesthetically. The products available today, including our homelifts, are genuinely beautiful, and there's no reason your home should look or feel any different for including them.
And finally, think about the long game. The choices you make now about how your home is designed will shape how it serves you for decades. That's not a constraint, it’s an opportunity to create something really extraordinary.
Read more:
