Remodeling your home can not only help spice up your living space, it can help you create an environment that will better suit your needs as you age. A study from The Hartford and the University of Southern California observed that 40% of Boomers expect to remodel their homes sometime in the future. One of the best ways to do this is to incorporate universal design features that bring added comfort, safety and convenience to your home. Universal Design, also referred to as Livable Design or Better Design, means creating an environment that’s easy for everyone to use – regardless of age, size or ability.
Most importantly, universal design is easy to include in your home, with your kitchen and bathroom being the most important areas to focus on. To see how you can upgrade these two rooms, read through our tips below:
Create a Kitchen Everyone Is Comfortable In
Your kitchen is one of the main gathering points in your home. This means you’ll want it to be comfortable for everyone, whether they’re stopping by for a cup of tea or they’re helping you prepare a meal.
To help enhance your kitchen, read through our list of recommended universal design features:
- Pullout drawers: With standard shelving, it can be hard to reach pots and pans at the bottom of the cabinet. You can fix this by installing pull-out drawers and Lazy Susans in your corner cabinets.
- Single-lever faucets: Easy for everyone to use, these faucets let anyone easily operate one of the most used tools in your kitchen. These faucets also let you more easily shut off water and control their temperature.
- Multi-level countertops: Installing multi-level countertops allows you to avoid having counters that are too deep or too low. They offer surfaces that can help anyone enjoy the space easily.
- D- or U- shaped handles: Curved handles are better for grip if you or your family members have smaller or less flexible hands.
- Below counter appliances: If you feel like your appliances are getting in your way, consider installing them in easier to reach places like below counter cabinets. Microwaves are a great option for this placement.
- Lighting: Installing windows in your kitchen can help you utilize natural sunlight. You can also use new light bulbs and fixtures to help brighten up your space.
- Thresholds: Your thresholds are the strip of metal or wood that runs across the bottom of your doorframe. To make moving between your kitchen and other rooms easier, consider getting rid of these thresholds. You can also lower them to a quarter or half inch in height to make them easier to walk over.
- Rocker light switches: These allow you to use the back of your hand or even your elbow to switch them on and off. This can be easier if you’re carrying lots of items.
- New appliances: Certain appliances like wall ovens can help you navigate the kitchen easier with hot or heavy items. Bottom-freezers on refrigerators can also be easier to reach into.
- Slip-resistant flooring: You’ll want to make sure your kitchen’s surface is even and has a low glare. This can help you create a space that’s safe if your balance or vision changes in years to come.
On top of these features, it’s also important to consider the amount of space available to move around in your kitchen. Widening the space can allow for multiple cooks to work in the kitchen and for anyone to pass through easily.
