Planning a major renovation or remodel is exciting. And, there’s nothing like stepping into your home for the first time after your remodel is completed – reveling in its brand-new, designer feel. However, before you get too swept up in remodeling aesthetics, we encourage you to speak to your design-build team about the benefits of accessibility features.
We promise you won’t have to trade style for accessibility. There is plenty of room for all the trendy, style favorites while simultaneously creating a home design that is function-forward and welcoming to all.
Everyone is Welcome in an Accessible Home
Designs that prioritize accessibility are also referred to as “universal designs.” With just a few small changes, you create a home that:
- Focuses on a long view to accommodate your ability to age in place, comfortably care for aging loved ones if needed, and adds extra resale appeal and value to your home.
- Accommodates people of all ages and abilities.
- Is wheel-chair and walker-friendly.
- Incorporates lighting design focused on safety and night lighting.
- Minimizes the risk of trip, slip, or fall accidents for people of all ages.
- Ensures the things you use the most are the most readily accessible.
- Means you can remain in your home no matter what life may bring in terms of illness, injury, or age-related decline.
Interestingly, many of the tenets governing accessible home design align with the most recent home design trends. For example, ADUs (accessible dwelling units) continue to be a top-requested feature for custom remodels and additions because they allow families to have a separate place for aging parents or grandparents to stay. They also offer a lucrative way to earn rental income – and accessibility features mean your ADU appeals to a much-larger rental audience.
Benefits of an Accessible Home Design
Let’s explore those benefits in more detail:
1. You Keep the Future in Mind
All home designs should keep the future at the forefront. That includes making sure the home is as accessible in 10 or 20 years as it is today. Even if you are not in need of all of the features (yet), we guarantee many guests will notice and appreciate the way your home makes them feel welcome and allows them to easily navigate each room and space.
In terms of resale, homes with built-in accessibility are highly desirable and sold at above-average prices because the clients who need them have a hard time finding turn-key homes with timeless designs.
2. Safety is a Top Priority
Seniors or those with mobility issues aren’t the only ones who benefit from accessible design. Small children fare better in homes designed with slip-resistant flooring, minimal to no elevation changes between rooms and indoor/outdoor transitions, and well-lit walkways and stairways.
Railings and well-appointed grab bars are helpful to all of us, especially on days when we don’t feel well, are temporarily injured, or are hosting guests that require mobility aids to get around. By incorporating these features into your home now, they look far more attractive than if you have to add them in later.
3. You Have What You Need, Where You Need it
Smart storage design is an important part of accessibility. Again, part of the safety-first mentality means you shouldn’t have to get on a step ladder or get on all fours to reach the items you use on a daily or weekly basis.
4. Keep Things Streamlined & Uncluttered
Here’s another tenet of the universal home design that aligns with current housing trends. Cluttered homes aren’t just trip hazards, they’re visually overwhelming. Clean, streamlined, and minimal designs make it easy to keep your home uncluttered and organized.
Consider things like open shelving or glass-front doors that break up monotonous cabinetry fronts while preventing the natural urge to just “shove things inside” behind solid doors or drawers. Customized cabinet and drawer inserts further optimize storage possibilities, creating a functional place for everything – and everything in its place.
Flooring transitions also remain seamless – including walk-in showers – which are a hot item in the bathroom design realm right now.
5. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
Some of the most popular fixtures and finishes work perfectly in an accessible design because they are super durable and easy to clean and maintain. Who doesn’t want that?
Things to think about include:
- Handle-free (tap-based) faucets for kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
- Bar handles for cabinets and drawers (easier to open and quick to wipe down) when you’re holding a baby or a loaded laundry basket.
- Countertop and flooring choices that don’t require regular sealing or special cleaning instructions.
- Hard-surface flooring options (or very low-pile carpet) with in-floor electrical outlets to minimize exposed cords).
Work With an Accessible High-End Home Builder
Ultimately, we feel accessible homes are friendly homes. Are you interested in learning more about ways to incorporate stylish yet functional designs into your upcoming DeLand home remodel or addition? Schedule a consultation with Fogle Constructors.
