Designing a living space is an all-important process that requires careful consideration, strategizing, and expertise. It doesn’t just involve choosing paint colors and decor; instead, high-quality design ensures the environment adds the most value to your life, fosters healthy living, and addresses your family’s needs.
Universal design is the process of designing a space so that anyone can easily use it, regardless of age, ability, or physical needs. Our co-founder, Melinda Dzinic, is a Universal Design Certified Professional, allowing her to approach designs and remodels with the utmost thoughtfulness and accessibility in mind.
So, what is universal design, and how can it benefit your home remodel?
Universal Design: The Basics
Universal design optimizes the accessibility of living spaces for the people who will be using them. Whether families with children, adults aging in place, individuals with physical limitations, or families with specialized needs, virtually any client can benefit from incorporating universal design into their remodeling concept.
Universal design optimizes the use and accessibility of living spaces. It allows every family member to benefit most from the space, eliminating barriers to comfortable, safe living. By incorporating holistic design principles and addressing the family’s needs, our designers achieve a “design for all” that is just right for the family.
In terms of practical application, living spaces that utilize universal design may include any of the following inclusive design concepts:
Non-slip flooring to improve traction for those who may be unsteady on their feet — and prevent accidents among all family members and visitors
Extra floor space to allow family members and visitors to move freely and give people who use wheelchairs plenty of room to turn around
Wide hallways and doorways to ensure that everyone can pass through comfortably and safely
No-step entries to welcome everyone into the home without barriers
Multiple lighting sources to brighten the space and help everyone see better
Lever door handles to make opening doors easier for those with poor hand strength — and anyone who happens to have their hands full
When designing a space with universal accessibility in mind, our expert home remodelers incorporate foundational universal design principles while personalizing every element of the remodel to the family’s needs, goals, and lifestyle.
How Can Universal Design Benefit Your Home Remodel?
Universal design isn’t just for those with physical limitations. Anyone can benefit from a home design that integrates barrier-free architecture and optimizes accessibility. The main benefits of universal design include:
Remove Limitations
Every family member should be able to easily access and utilize every square foot of your living space. However, many families aren’t aware of all the limitations in their homes. For example:
Can young children reach the bathroom counter, or do they need a stool?
Are shelves in bedroom closets too high for some family members to reach?
Are certain bathtubs off-limits for family members who are unsteady on their feet because of slippery flooring?
Universal design carefully considers limitations within a home and removes them, allowing each family member to utilize the space fully.
Increase Comfort
Universal design improves the comfort of the home for the entire family. Hallways are no longer difficult to pass through; light switches can be turned on or off hands-free; counters can be used while seated in a chair. Incorporating comfort amenities into the design is an automatic byproduct of enhancing the accessibility of the space. The home becomes a space for ultimate relaxation and restoration.
Enhance Safety
Homes that utilize universal design elements are safer for everyone. They help prevent accidents with elements like:
Non-slip flooring
Thresholds that are flush with the floor
High-traction bathtubs and showers
These elements won’t just keep your family safe; they’ll also promote the safety of guests. Your family can feel confident welcoming visitors.
Meet Changing Needs
High-quality home design grows with your family. With universal design, you can build a living space to accommodate your family’s changing needs as you welcome more children into your family, make room for older family members to join you, age in place, or prepare for whatever is next in your family’s journey.
Universal home design prevents you from worrying about your home’s accessibility, comfort, and safety, no matter how your family changes.
Euro Design Build: Creating Spaces for Everyone
Now that you know the answer to “What is universal design?” consider whether incorporating universal design elements into your remodel is right for your family. At Euro Design Build, we make the entire remodeling process hassle-free for clients while staying attuned to their needs and goals.
Our co-founder Melinda would be happy to sit down with you to discuss how universal design can elevate your home remodel, ensuring that your home design suits your family even while your needs change. Contact Euro Design Build today at 972-470-0303 to schedule your consultation.
