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Most traditional homes and public places where we go about our day-to-day lives have been designed to accommodate what would be considered an average person. Everything from the height of light switches and countertops to the size and shape of doorknobs has developed over time as standard practice in the building industry.  Here at Senior Remodeling Experts, we often perform home modifications when some of these configurations are inconvenient or completely unworkable for people with different abilities and mobility needs. Introducing Universal Design A more proactive approach is designing and building a home that can be used comfortably by just about everyone. The idea that we can create a home that can be used by children or adults, people with various handicaps, those recovering from illness or injury, people who are smaller or larger than average, or those with restricted mobility is called Universal Design. Universal Design can be defined as the design of products and environments to be usable to the greatest extent possible by people of all ages and abilities. The idea is to design homes that are universally workable by all people so that modifications will not be needed as you age or through circumstances such as injury or illness.  Many of these design elements use standard products or materials. Many new products are coming out almost daily that use technology to help elderly people live more independent lives in their own homes. The 7 Principles of Universal Design There are seven principles of Universal Design. Following these principles when designing a new home or remodeling an existing one will make the space more useful and comfortable for a wide range of people.  The principles are: All of these principles should apply regardless of a person’s experience, knowledge, sensory abilities, body size, posture, mobility, or other conditions. In short, a house designed using these principles would be “user-friendly.” Universal Design in Action Some examples of these principles in action would be: Using 3′ wide doors and 4′ wide hallways throughout a home costs almost nothing when building a new home but can make all the difference in the world later if you find yourself navigating the home in a wheelchair. These proactive design choices not only improve accessibility but also increase the overall value and marketability of your home. By incorporating Universal Design elements from the start, you create a living space that’s adaptable to changing needs, whether due to aging, injury, or simply evolving lifestyle preferences. This forward-thinking approach can save significant time, money, and stress in the long run, eliminating the need for costly renovations or the possibility of having to move to a more suitable home later in life. Some design elements anticipate future changes. For example, in a two-story home, if you stack two closets directly above each other with a removable floor and rough the wiring, it would be very easy to add an elevator later if the need arises. Many of these designs can be integrated very easily into a new home and make your life easier for years to come. The Growing Importance of Universal Design I emphasize the fact that Universal Design benefits everyone by making our homes more user-friendly for all of us. I think it’s slowly starting to sink in. I am starting to see references to aging in place and Universal Design in more mainstream publications and websites. I was recently reading an article on the website of Builder magazine which pointed out that the first generation to grow up in the suburbs is now finding their homes no longer fit their needs.  This realization is driving a shift in how we think about home design and functionality. As our population ages and people live longer, the demand for adaptable living spaces is increasing. Universal Design principles are becoming essential not just for seniors, but for families with young children, individuals with temporary injuries, and anyone who values convenience and ease of use in their home environment. This approach to design is proving to be a forward-thinking solution that addresses the evolving needs of our diverse society. The villages movement, which helps seniors band together to help meet each other’s needs, is growing by leaps and bounds. More and more architects, builders, and homeowners are seeing the value of creating homes that will serve us throughout the course of our lives. Key Features of Universal Design As more and more people realize the value of Universal Design, I thought it would be helpful to reiterate some of the features and benefits of Universal Design. These are areas to keep in mind if you are considering building or remodeling anytime in the near future: While this list is by no means comprehensive, it is a good starting point in creating a home that will work for us throughout our lives. For more information about Aging in Place or Universal Design, please get in touch with us.