Top 7 Most Important Features for Your Forever Home
I believe every home and commercial building should incorporate Universal Design. If you’re not familiar with Universal Design, it is the is the design of environments (including buildings and products) in order to make them accessible to all, regardless of age, disability or any other factor. Universal Design enables and empowers diversity in population by improving function, health and wellness, and social participation. How this translates to you personally is creating a home where growing and ageing together offers you the opportunity to customize your lifestyle, without running the risk of outgrowing one of your biggest investments, or having it lose it's functionality and safety for you. Adding changes that include Universal Design over time will not only add appeal and value to those who live in your home, but will also offer effortless comfort to your guests.
Follow this guide to some smart ways to incorporate Universal Design in your home and easy ways to design a space that will support you and your family long term.
1. Motorized Window Treatments
Adding motorized window treatments for blinds, shades and drapery will add convenience, security, cost efficiency and custom design to your home. By installing motorised shades, it is possible to coordinate shades with a smart home control system which allows you to lower and raise them at the touch of a button or at scheduled intervals.
Suzanne Rugg Interior Design Motorized Window Shades - Paradise Valley
2. Easily Operable Windows
Windows that open in an up-down direction create difficulty and are harder to use as mobility decreases. Opting to install windows that open out or in are will be much easier to operate 10 and 20 years down the road.
Suzanne Rugg Interior Design Motorized NanaWall
3. Low Kitchen Drawers under Countertops and Island
I always suggest utilizing lower kitchen storage in the form of drawers instead of open cabinets. Drawers offer easy accessibility (regardless of age), more functional organization, and no digging to the back!
Suzanne Rugg Interior Design Kitchen Design Paradise Valley
4. Walk-in Showers and Attractive Grab Bar
An easily accessible walk-in or curbless shower has benefits regardless of age. There are even grab bars that are attractive and function also as a towel rack and source of support. You can't beat beauty and function!
Suzanne Rugg Interior Design Scottsdale Marble Bathroom
5. Soft Flooring for the Feet and Back
Softer flooring is kinder on our backs and feet over the years. A few options I'd suggest are hardwood flooring, Luxury Vinyl, and even layering rugs and pads in the spaces that you use most.
Suzanne Rugg Interior Design Paradise Valley
6. Lever Style Door Handles
Twist door knobs can be difficult when mobility decreases, and also for little hands of grandkids. Lever style door handles are more practical, and with many more style choices again, this is a win, win.
Smart Home Integrated Technology Bathroom Design Paradise Valley
7. Smart Home Technology
Beyond window treatments, a smart home is a home that uses internet connected devices that enable the remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting, heating and cooling, security...even making you a better cook! Investigate and integrate technology now as a seamless, easy way of life!
Scottsdale Bathroom Suzanne Rugg Interior Design
Your Beautiful Forever Home
Practical Design and Universal Design does NOT have to mean that it's not gorgeous and stylish, we make it personal to you! And include all the things you want your home to be!
Having a designer experienced in Universal Design and Smart Home technology together will help your dream of your forever home come to life.
Ready for a home that's as beautiful as the people in it? We'd love to help. Let's talk!
Cheers,
