Universal Design: Homes that Work for Everybody

As we conclude National Home Remodeling Month, it’s a great time to start looking into universal design, aging-in-place and similar concepts. 

The majority of U.S. homes today are designed to work best for the sensory skills, size and capabilities of an able-bodied, 170-pound, five-foot, nine-inch male.

What if homes were instead designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of age, ability, preference (e.g., right or left handed) or size? That’s the idea behind universal design.

Understanding home design and remodeling options can be confusing, especially when some terms seem to be used interchangeably. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), aging in place and universal design have overlapping concepts, but each offers a distinct approach to home design.

If homes today are designed for the average, five-foot, nine-inch male, then that is going to limit the ability of others to use those homes efficiently and effectively.

Just 3.5 percent of all U.S. homes included features such as grab-bars or handrails in the bathroom, extra-wide hallways and doors, and a bedroom on the entry level. Even simple remodeling projects can go a long way toward making a home more accessible to everyone.

Universal design elements can benefit those who want to age in place by improving visibility and functionality, which is why the terms are often used interchangeably. However, universal design is more comprehensive in its approach by ensuring people of all abilities — even young children — are able to access things they may need.

No matter the specific elements incorporated into a newly designed home, the design should be easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level.

Examples of universal design include:

• Providing at least one step-less entrance into the home.
• Designing wider doorways that are easier to navigate (whether for a wheelchair or carting playpens from room to room).
• Using sliding doors or barn doors for closets and/or bathrooms that can remain open without impeding space.
• Incorporating handles that are easy to grip so drawers and doors are easier to open.
• Providing easy-touch rocker or hands-free light switches.
• Installing appliances, such as side-by-side refrigerators with handles running the length of the door, so that people of varying heights can easily access them.
• Incorporating colors that provide a contrast, especially for troublesome areas such as wall corners and countertops.

Find your next remodeling contractor at https://www.iowacityhomes.com/member-directory/?alpha=A&cat=remodeling-contractors. You also can learn more during the 2020 Aging-in-Place Online Forums. See a schedule and sign up at https://www.iowacityhomes.com/2020-aging-in-place-forums/.