For a while now, people have accepted that they might go through several homes during their lives. From a starter home, to a larger house with enough space for a growing family, to a sensible place to live in retirement, there are definitely many reasons to become a homebuyer again.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. There is a growing trend toward universal design now, which means that houses are being built with the future in mind. The goal being a functional residence suitable for young and old alike, as well as people with varying types and levels of physical ability, a universally designed home typically includes features such as wide doorways, an entrance at ground level that requires no stairs, and multi-level counters for practical usages. Renovating an existing home to fit universal design can be a time-consuming and expensive venture, but creating one from the ground up usually is not. Consider building options from the beginning in order to create a universal home that will easily accommodate life transitions for you and your family.
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Entryways
Just getting inside the average home is an issue for many people. A house that has a full basement, which is common in much of the United States, typically has the first floor 18 to 36 inches above ground level. This means stairs to the front door and often another step to cross the threshold—unsafe for wheelchairs, aggravating for arthritic knees, and especially treacherous in winter weather, when it could be a danger for anybody.
The solution to entryway hazards is as simple as digging a deeper basement during construction, which will cost a little more, but will also prevent a lot of hassle. Sloping the lot is also an option, so a gradual incline to the front door is created rather than opting to install stairs to close a gap. This is not unlike the go-to remodeling solution of building a ramp to a porch or deck that leads to a step-free door, but it is inclusive and allows everybody to use the same entrance.
There should be at least one ground level or otherwise easily accessible entrance. Other things to consider about entries include peepholes at various heights, or using sidelites as an alternative, to enable everybody to see who is outside before opening the door. Good lighting on both sides of the entrance will also help with security, and make it easier to locate the keyhole at night. Plenty of space on both sides of the door, five by five feet, is also recommended, offset to accommodate the range of the door. And if you have opted for the ground-level threshold, a canopy or awning over the entrance will help protect you from the elements.
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Doors and Passages
Most new construction has been shifting toward door levers rather than knobs for some years, because grasping and turning a round knob can be difficult and painful for a staggering percentage of the population. A lever that can be pushed is much easier to use.
Universally designed homes are very conscious of space. Wider doorways, 36 inches wide with a 34-inch opening, are recommended to allow space for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. The same goes for hallways, where 42 inches is recommended to allow for easier movement.
Kitchens
The complications of different levels of physical ability become most apparent in a room like the kitchen. Very tall and short people can have trouble with cabinets, counters, and the level of the appliances. The average sink is too high and set back to allow children and people in wheelchairs to use it. The space required to open the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher can create a maneuverability problem. With all the inconveniences and hazards of the average kitchen, it is a very expensive area to renovate, but building it with universal design from the start is not.
Space is the first concern that needs to be addressed, just like in every other part of the house. Floor and counter space needs to be open. Counters should also have rounded edges rather than corners to prevent injuries.
Having countertops at different levels is a feature that everybody can appreciate. More than just accommodating all ages and both seated and standing users, multi-level counters increase the ease of use for different tasks. A heavy chopping job requires leverage, and a lower working surface allows you to lean your weight into it. For tasks that require a finer hand, a higher surface is ideal. And having open space under an expanse of lower countertop rather than cabinetry will let a seated person use it, the same as with the sink and stove.
When it comes to appliances, raising the dishwasher and oven, which gives the option of putting easy pull-out storage beneath, will ease back strain. A stove with front switches rather than ones located behind the range will lessen strain, decrease the risk of burns, and increase the number of people able to use it.
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Bathrooms
A universally designed bathroom also requires more space and many of the same considerations the kitchen required—rounded counter edges, space under the sink, etc.
A walk-in shower is ideal, as it minimizes the risk of stepping up and tripping. In lieu of a roll-in shower that requires much more space, there are plenty of shower seating options for individuals who can move themselves with the help of grab bars. A hand-held, adjustable-height shower head is easy for all users, and it makes it easier to help others in the bathroom as well.
Grab bars around the shower and toilet increase accessibility and independence for those who need them, but they can also be used to hang towels until they need to serve their primary use. Just make sure such aids are properly installed in reinforced walls for the sake of safety.
Layout
The main thing about universal design is openness and making sure everything is easy to navigate. An open floor plan that can be furnished without losing too much space is necessary, and there must also be a decent amount of area in bedrooms—they should not be narrow or awkwardly shaped.
As many amenities as possible are located on the main level. The preference is to put the laundry room near the bedrooms, in order to cut the distance that laundry has to travel. The master bedroom and at least one full bathroom are typically on the first floor of multiple story houses to spare aging parents from the stairs. If there is a staircase in the home, it should be straight—no landings or turns—in order to more easily install a chair lift.
The floor plan of a universally designed house is slightly different, but in no drastic ways. There are no split-levels that could be difficult to navigate, but most house styles can easily accommodate these universal elements. Chances are you’ve been in a home that fits these criteria and never stopped to think about it.
