When my wife and I remodeled our home, we added an office above the garage.
I had also added a wet bar for coffee and refreshments.
These added features were unnecessary if the room was being exclusively used as an office.
Including them in the project added very little to the initial cost.
Modifying the space later, though, might have been prohibitively pricey.
Waiting until something in particular is needed is often too late.
A little planning and creative design now will pay off if the need arises.
Light switch boxes are generally set above 48".
It’s always better to install more lighting than you think youll need and include dimmers for control.
Coming back later to correct a dark corner or work area is expensive and messy.
LED lights provide excellent illumination without overtaxing the wiring circuits and are easily dimmable.
Use doors that are ideally 36" wide.
(The minimum width used should be at least 32".)
Also, a wider staircase is especially useful when moving furniture!
Even a small change can make the stairs safer and easier to use.
Include an electrical outlet at the top and/or bottom of the stairs.
In the meantime, having an electrical outlet near the stairs is very handy when vacuuming.
Building codes require that staircases have switches at the top and bottom.
Motion-activated switches that turn lights on and off automatically are a helpful option.
Installing such blocking is inexpensive and easy to do during construction but can be very costly and disruptive later.
Sometimes an out-swing door works better for a bathroom than an in-swinging one.
In other scenarios, a pocket door may be the better solution.
A shower is generally more usable and safer than a bathtub.
Eliminate the typical step-over shower curb for a zero-step solution.
If the walls are blocked already, drop in the grab bars.
People of all ages can benefit from having something to grab onto near the shower or tub.
Planning Ahead
A skilled construction or design professional can help make a home “aging friendly.”
Visitnahb.org/CAPSto find someone who has aCertified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)designation.
Evaluate the design for usability by people with varying abilities and locate the appliances to minimize lifting or bending.
For instance, placing a microwave oven above the range is an example ofnotplanning for the future.
Consider installing a second sink with a pullout spray faucet near the cooking area.
If an elevator isn’t needed, the house has two very useful closets.
For instance, I did need to install a chairlift with a dedicated electrical outlet.
I unfortunately built a standard staircase, so the tight clearance around the chair is a constant challenge.
Look at your home and the spaces in it.
A den may become a first floor bedroom, permanently or during a convalescence.
A playroom might evolve into an exercise room.
Vince Butler is the owner of Butler Brothers, a residential construction and remodeling firm based in Northen Virginia.
Home Sweet Home
More “Aging Friendly” housing resources:
Page published February 2016
