Current Trends in Accessible Design and Livability

When it comes to accessible design, things have come a long way from ugly towel bars and ugly spaces. You can now have a home that’s welcoming to both grandkids and grandparents, one that’s beautiful, easy to use, easy to clean and easy to get around. Designer Jonas Carnemark discusses current trends in accessible design and livability in this HouzzTV video:

There are design elements that are beautiful but hard to deal with, even if you’re physically fit. It’s nice to be able to not have to step over a curb into a shower, or to have elbow room carrying a tray through a wider doorway, or to have flush seams between floors (no step-downs between rooms). Ideally, there should be features such as no-barrier showers, large pull bars on cabinetry, slip-resistant tile and wide doorways.

Featured Bathroom #1: This bathroom is wheelchair accessible and allows easy access to the sink, vanity, toilet, and wet room with tub, rain shower head, hand-held shower and large grab-bars

Featured Bathroom #2: This wide bathroom has blocking in the walls for future grab-bars, a large shower with accessible controls in the drying area and a frosted glass panel over the window.

Featured Kitchen: This kitchen has lower countertops, a speed oven, a fridge with an accessible bottom shelf, cabinetry with large long pulls and wide drawers of different depths to facilitate organization. Quartz countertops and ceramics are durable and stain-resistant.

Future developments in accessible design include integrating appliances into the living space, automated recipe retrieval and refrigerator inventory checking, islands that move up and down and remote control cabinet access.

If you’re looking for a professional to assist you with an accessible design project, look for NKBA, NARI or NAHB certification or a living in place certified professional.