New Products and Trends in Universal Design

Mobility is impacted by the different rooms in a home. The bedroom and living room should have sufficient access and turnaround space for walkers or wheelchairs. Closets should have adjustable closet rods, accessible shelving and adequate lighting. Open access between the kitchen and living area provides a clear sight line that’s good for all stages of life. When designing the entryway, consider installing a package shelf or seat near the door for homeowners of all ages. It's safer to empty one's arms or sit when taking off boots or shoes. Add an automatic sensor light focused on the front-door lock to provide safe entry. Hot Stop Scald Prevention tub spout and showerhead. Photo courtesy of American Valve. Trend Setting The biggest trend, Goff says "is the fact that universal design is losing its uniqueness as clients now ask for it by name. You can find it at Home Depot, too." He's started a movement with his own clients by asking them to do a home audit of the things that irritate them about their house or diminish quality of life. This information helps uncover problems so they can be resolved with the help of universal design principles. Those cramped mid-century bathrooms are no longer in vogue. Lawler says luxury walk-in bathtubs along with curbless glass showers will become a much more important trend, especially for baby boomers. And the bonus of a glass shower is it expands the visual space and style of this important room. In the kitchen, Lawler says the Dacor Microwave-In-A-Drawer is accessible to everyone and the Viking Portable Induction Cooktop makes mealtime easy and possible for everyone because of its flexible placement on a counter, a low table or even outdoors.   "I think the trend toward universal design is truly creating more of a positive approach rather than a negative one” since universal design was thought to be clunky and only needed for the disabled, says Upton. "Great Grabz safety bars took the institutional look out of their products. It's a great-looking contemporary and artsy grab bar created by an interior designer." Universal design provides a blueprint for maximum inclusion of all people, irrespective of age, stage or ability. For additional reading, see "Affordable Ideas to Retrofit Your Home for Accessibility."

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