No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home

No matter if you are a young family, a multi-generational family, an active adult, or baby boomer planning for the future, universal design just makes sense.  Dorothy said it best; there really is no place like home, and universal designs easy, attractive, and adaptive environment makes your home safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability, or stature.

Universal design is about creating an attractive, stylish space that everyone, regardless of age, size, or ability, can live in or visit. A home with universal design makes it easier for residents to live in, and for guests to visit now and in the future as everybody's needs and abilities change.

Seamless Inclusion

Accessibility design features began in the public sector with ramps and grab bars but today, accessibility design features have gone private.  While these features used to stand out, now they blend seamlessly and are nearly invisible to the casual observer.  In fact, many of the design elements make a home feel more spacious and all make for easier living. 

Zero-step entry - Whether you’re maneuvering a stroller through the front door, carrying a load of  groceries, or navigating your mother’s wheelchair, a zero-step entry allows for easy transition from outside to in.

Lighting - Add more lighting for close-up tasks such as cooking, reading, hobbies (knitting, fly-tying) and working from home. Plan for natural, ambient, and task lighting for an effective lighting plan.

The bathroom- A bathroom becomes accessible for guests of any age with a no a threshold shower, a handheld showerhead, and shower rails.

The kitchen – Generous counters, work spaces of varied heights, and appliances appropriately leveled allow all cooks in the kitchen.

Other essential features of universal design include:

• One-story living. Places to eat, use the bathroom and sleep are all located on one level, which is barrier-free.
• Wide doorways. Doorways that are 32-36 inches wide let wheelchairs pass through. They also make it easy to move big things in and out of the house.
• Wide hallways. Hallways should be 36-42 inches wide. That way, everyone and everything moves more easily from room to room.
• Extra floor space. Everyone feel less cramped. And people in wheelchairs have more space to turn.
• Lever door handles and rocker light switches are great for people with poor hand strength. But others like them too. Try using these devices when your arms are full of packages. You'll never go back to knobs or standard switches.