universal design
Why she’s against it: “I love the traditional idea of the hearth and think it really is the symbolic heart of the home. The family room or living room is a place that serves many functions. It’s a place for relaxing, having a conversation, reading, spending time with friends and loved ones, and, yes, watching TV. But to me, putting the TV over the fireplace instantly promotes the TV to the most important position in the room, around which everything else revolves. “I think that’s just kind of sad, frankly,” she says. “But my biggest concerns are aesthetic and ergonomic. Most TVs are quite unattractive, especially when turned off, and they are just too high to be viewed comfortably above the fireplace mantel.”
Steam ovens are gaining in popularity in today's kitchens for many reasons — one being the obvious healthier cooking method. They need water to create the steam, and the water line can be hardwired for ease of use, or you can just use the included refillable container. These ovens, smaller than regular ovens, are another option for those cooking simpler meals or cooking for one or two. Steam oven placement is the same as for a microwave oven. DG 4084/DG 4086 Steam Oven Miele’s steam oven offers genuine flavor, color and consistency, no matter your menu choice. Flavor transfer is eliminated through protective layers of steam so your salmon tastes like salmon and your cookies stay sweet and delicious. The result? Excellent food quality with flawless taste.
BLUE STAR 30" GAS OVEN with COMMERCIAL STYLE FRENCH DOORS. Ovens that have a side-swing door are more accessible and safer than regular ovens, as users don't have to bend over a hot door or extend their reach to access the interior. Look for models that have doors that stay put when open to prevent any accidental burns to the arms. Ensure that a minimum of 15 inches of counter space is available on the latch side of the oven. An added option would be to include a pullout shelf underneath the oven to ease the transfer of hot items from the oven to the countertop.
Opt for a comfort-height toilet, usually 2 inches taller than a regular toilet, to make transferring from a wheelchair easier. Allow enough clear floor space on one side of the toilet for those who require a transfer or need a place to park their walker. Aim for at least a 30-inch width and a 48-inch length on one side of the toilet. This also allows room for an aide. And don't forget to add grab bars at the back of and on one side of the toilet for both the user's and assistant's safety.
A vessel sink, either sitting on the countertop or recessed into the countertop, can offer design and accessbility alternatives. Leaving the space open beneath the counter allows for leg clearance for those in chairs. Modifying the depth of the counter allows users in wheelchairs or small children to reach the fixtures easily. Also consider the height of the overall countertop and bowl, and adjust to fit users of varying heights.
EXTRA LARGE PEDESTAL SINK If space is limited or you require greater clearances, a pedestal sink might be the way to go. Pedestal sinks offer the user, especially those in a wheelchair, an easier approach from either the front or the side. It might also allow space for someone else to stand nearby. Pedestal sinks also offer undersink space to keep a step stool close at hand for toddlers and young children.
EXTRA LARGE PEDESTAL SINK If space is limited or you require greater clearances, a pedestal sink might be the way to go. Pedestal sinks offer the user, especially those in a wheelchair, an easier approach from either the front or the side. It might also allow space for someone else to stand nearby. Pedestal sinks also offer undersink space to keep a step stool close at hand for toddlers and young children.
Depending on the type, vanities can offer much-needed storage in a small room. Wall-mounted vanities, depending on the height of the cabinet, offer leg clearance for those in wheelchairs. Pedestal sinks also work well. This vanity with angled sides offers more floor space for those navigating with a wheelchair or walker, and is situated far enough away from the door to minimize obstructions.
For conventional swing doors, opt for lever handles. Individuals with arthritic hands or limited dexterity can operate lever handles much more easily than round knobs or latch-type handles, which require more pressure to grasp and turn.
If you have the option of adding on or remodeling, consider making the powder room at least 60 inches wide and 60 inches deep, with a toilet and sink offset from each other. This allows the minimum code 30-inch space for the toilet and a 30-inch space on one side of the toilet for those requiring transfer assistance. As necessary, these guidelines will require adjustment depending on the user. If you do have the space and the budget, a full size bathroom on the main level is the way to go. This provides the most flexibility in the off chance that you or a loved one does sustain a major injury, and can no longer get to another level.
Stepping into a regular soaker tub can be hard to do for anyone, but it's more manageable if the distance into the tub is reduced with a step and there are grab bars.
Installing large-format tile can create a nice, level surface. This shower also includes a handheld spray wand to make bathing easier. Tip: Unless you're building in a shower bench from the very beginning, CONSIDER A ONE-WAY SLOPE ON YOUR SHOWER FLOOR (like in this photo), so the shower's bench or stool does not rock when it's sat on. Often showers with a standard single-point drain have multiple slopes, and a four-legged stool will rock on these types of floors.
WET ROOM This shower was designed and built by Harrell Remoldeling. This team's projects always sparkle, and this is a gem. Notice the placement of the grab bars in this bathroom — very well thought out. If you live in a warmer climate, you may not need a shower door or shower curtain at all. Designing the space as a true wet room — with the entire bathroom floor as a shower pan — makes entry into the shower effortless and provides plenty of room for a caregiver. Tip: When planning a wet room, consider a wall-hung toilet. This toilet makes building the wet room much easier, since it does not send waste through the floor's waterproofing system. YOU CAN PLACE A WALL-HUNG TOILET IN A HIGHER POSITION, which makes getting on and off it much easier.
When designing a shower for someone in his or her golden years, remember that this person may have poor vision, balance or mobility. A caregiver or spouse may need room to help with the bathing process, so a shower space should be generously sized and include room to enter with an extra person, a wheelchair or a walker. That said, an accessible shower does not need to lack in style, as these examples show. Being proactive in your next shower renovation means you can include some or all of these features, even before you need them. It's better to be ready for accessibility than have to scramble to renovate when the need arrives. Here are some things to consider when planning a shower for seniors.
I LOVE THIS ROOM Implementing Spanish-inspired style and other Mediterranean influences in a living room will automatically check a lot of the boxes on many homeowners’ wish lists. Light, airy, relaxing, casual, comfortable — these are all elements that come naturally with the style. Creamy white plaster walls, linen upholstery, a collected look, wrought iron light fixtures, large fireplaces and natural wood architectural elements like ceiling beams define this approachable look.
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