Universal Design and Aging In Place

Universal Design is a buzzword that is getting a lot of attention lately, but what does it mean and how does it affect your home improvement project?

Universal Design is an architectural style that, simply put, makes a home more easily accessible to everyone. Right now, you may be thinking of grab bars in showers and tubs, and a ramp in place of steps in the front yard – and you’d be right! One aspect of Universal Design is making a home more livable for the elderly and physically impaired. But there are two other aspects that have wider reaching appeal: Lifestyle Convenience and Aging in Place.

Universal Design isn’t just about making a home handicap accessible; it’s about Lifestyle Convenience. A wide shelf or flip out seat on the tub make it easier to give baby a bath. Lever-style handles make it easier to open a door with an armful of groceries. Slide out shelves in the cabinets make it easier to reach items stored toward the back. Raised electrical outlets mean less bending when plugging in appliances. A handful of simple, thoughtful design features can increase the enjoyment of your home for years to come.

Either out of financial necessity or convenience, people are staying in their current homes longer – or to put it another way, “Aging in Place”. As we age, many features in our homes will need to be updated to accommodate various infirmities. Changing faucets and plumbing fixtures for arthritic hands, adding extra lighting in closets and living areas, installing barrier-free showers and widening doors and hallways for walker and wheelchair access are all common requirements. Most of these enhancements can be installed at a very low cost during your remodel, and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

So why wait until you need these upgrades before you start enjoying them? Including them in your current remodel is extremely affordable, enhances the quality of your life now and makes your home more marketable should you decide to sell it.