Accessible Homes Break Barriers

Planning to stay in your home for the long haul begs the question, “Will it serve you well as your needs change in life?” Since your retirement years are supposed to offer more freedom to do what you want, it’s important you enjoy that same sense of freedom as you move about your home in the years ahead. Universal design is a new trend that makes it possible for people to grow older in the home they love. “The universal design concept affords lifelong livability, allowing people to age in a place they love,” says architect George Cundy.

In the past ten years, approximately 200 to 300 homes in the metro area have incorporated universal design, and the number is on the rise, says Patrick Schmeichel, owner of Independent Luxury Homes.

The reason for universal design’s popularity is simple: It’s easy to incorporate and, above all else, it helps make life easier for the home’s occupants. In fact, Cundy refers to universal design features as “conveniences,” and that’s precisely what they are. Grab-bars in showers, front-load washing machines, multi-height countertops, extra-wide hallways, railings on both sides of the stairs, low-threshold doorways, no-step showers, and lever handles are all examples of universal design.

Another selling point for universal design is that it doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics and is a far cry from looking institutionalized. “People can design their home and have any décor they want,” Schmeichel says. Furthermore, universal design features are streamlined, which contribute to a home’s resale value and could potentially increase the asking price by five to ten percent.

“An average family would only see luxuries and conveniences when shopping for a new home, such as wider hallways and doorways,” Cundy says. “A grab-bar in the shower is the only universal design feature that would be noticeable to the naked eye. It’s a marvelous payback.”