Universal Design: Creating Homes for All Ages and Abilities

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:

1. Equitable Use – The design is useful to people with different abilities.
2. Flexibility in Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and Intuitive Use – Use of the design is easy to understand.
4. Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user.
5. Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use.

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:

• Entryways with no steps and motion sensor lighting
• Curbless showers
• Elevated or adjustable-height toilets
• Grab bars in bathrooms
• Varied or adjustable counters
• Front-mounted controls and knee spaces under cooktops and sinks in kitchens
• 3′ wide doors and 4′ wide hallways throughout a home

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:

1. No-Step Entry: Make sure at least one entry to your home is accessible without any steps. If you are building a new home, the easiest way to accomplish this is to make the garage floor level with the main floor.
   
2. Wider Doors and Hallways: If at all possible, use 3′ doors and 4′ halls throughout the house. If you are remodeling, enlarge doors to 3′ wide wherever you can. If it doesn’t fit the budget, use swing clear hinges to widen existing doorways.
   
3. Accessible, Safe Bathrooms: The bathroom is the room where the most falls occur, and falls are the leading cause of seniors being forced to move out of their homes. A non-slip floor, plenty of grab bars, a curbless shower or walk-in tub, and a comfort height commode can go a long way towards making the bathroom safer and easier to use.
   
4. All Controls Simple to Use and Easy to Access: Look for appliances, thermostats, and other controls that are simple and easy to use. Mount all switches and outlets between 24″ and 48″ from the floor to make them easy for everyone to reach.
   
5. Good Lighting: Bright, glare-free lighting without shadows will make your home safer for everyone, but especially for anyone with diminished vision. Use bright, contrasting colors, particularly at the edges of work surfaces and stairs.
   
6. Watch the Clutter: Make sure walkways are clear and free of tripping hazards. Throw rugs and trailing extension cords are two prime suspects. Preventing falls is probably the best way to keep you or a loved one living at home.
   

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.