We All Benefit From Accessible Design
More than ever, Americans are choosing to live out their later years at home. This is referred to as Aging-In-Place and falls under the umbrella of Accessibility in design. The problem is that our homes in the United States are built for able bodied people. If we sustain an injury that permanently changes our mobility or if we hope to Age-In-Place, it’s likely that our home will not be suitable for us. When we are able bodied, it isn’t always obvious what those needs are going to be. For these reasons, hiring an interior designer who understands accessible design and the aging process will ensure that your home’s renovation is done appropriately.
Accessible design is for everyone
Accessible design is not an aesthetic, it’s about creating safe and functional spaces for all users. Any aesthetic can be accessible. This Johnny Grey Studios kitchen (pictured below courtesy of Johnny Grey Studios) is an excellent example of accessible design. It supports the aging processes and multigenerational living. It shows us how seamless accessibility can be integrated into the home when considered in the early stages of planning.
Accessibility starts at the sidewalk
Ramps as an afterthought can be unattractive. When we integrate them into our landscape and consider our home’s approach and architecture, the result can be very different. We see beautiful examples of this in our public spaces (Place Vauquelin pictured below) and the same ideas can be applied to our homes. Integrating a ramp with stairs creates inclusiveness. Developing the landscape around a ramp balances the hard materials with contrasting forms, texture, color and softness.
Long-term value
It can be hard to make plans for your future self, but when we look at the science of aging, there are guaranteed physical changes we all will experience. You will be grateful 10, 20 or 30 years later when the needs of your aging body have already been anticipated in your home’s design. Planning ahead will save you money and the trouble of going through yet another renovation.