Universal Home Design:
The old ways of designing homes just
don't work anymore:
 We all want more comfort in our homes.
Opening doors with arms full of groceries is as difficult at 30 as
it is at 70. People live longer than they used to. More of us are
living with disabilities.
The traditional home that serves you well when you are healthy
won't always take care of you when you break a leg or hurt your
back.
Younger people want a home that will take care of them when they
are sick or injured. People now realize that they need homes that
will grow old with them.
The 82 year old still wants to live in her own home. She just needs
a home that allows her to do it. That's where universal design
comes in.
Features for Today:
What makes a home "universal"?
It's simple. Everyone can use universal home design! It doesn't
matter if you are young or old. You could be short or tall, healthy
or ill. You might have a disability. Or you may be a prize-winning
athlete.
Because of universal design, people who are very different can all
enjoy the same home. And that home will be there for all its
inhabitants even when their needs change.
Here are some of the more common universal home design
features:
No-step entry. No one needs to use stairs to get into a universal
home or into the home's main rooms.
One-story living. Places to eat, use the bathroom and sleep are all
located on one level, which is barrier-free.
Wide doorways. Doorways that are 32-36 inches wide let wheelchairs
pass through. They also make it easy to move big things in and out
of the house.
Wide hallways. Hallways should be 36-42 inches wide. That way,
everyone and everything moves more easily from room to room.
Extra floor space. Everyone feel less cramped. And people in
wheelchairs have more space to turn.
Features for Comfort:
Some universal design features just make good sense. Once you
bring them into your home, you'll wonder how you ever lived without
them. For example:
Floors and bathtubs with non-slip surfaces help everyone stay on
their feet. They're not just for people who are frail. The same
goes for handrails on steps and grab bars in bathrooms.
Thresholds that are flush with the floor make it easy for a
wheelchair to get through a doorway. They also keep others from
tripping.
Good lighting helps people with poor vision. And it helps everyone
else see better, too.
Lever door handles and rocker light switches are great for people
with poor hand strength. But others like them too. Try using these
devices when your arms are full of packages. You'll never go back
to knobs or standard switches.
Features for Later:
Universal design gives you great home feature you can enjoy now.
It also helps you plan for the future.
Take closets for example. When you build a closet, add some
adjustable brackets. Later on, you can use those brackets to move
clothing rods and shelves to a better height. This tiny investment
helps a closet grow along with a child. It also means you can use
the closet even if you start using a wheelchair.
This kind of planning can help you make sure every part of your
home will adapt to your changing needs.
Fixing Hard-to-Use Homes:
You may have your own ideas about universal home design features
that could help you. Take a good look around your home. Make a list
of the things that bug you.
Tired of bending to plug in the iron? Sick of stretching to
reach your favorite platter? Can't stand carrying laundry to the
basement? Don't worry. Universal home design can help. Give it a
try.
Call: 1-705-533-1633
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