Why Design Matters as you Age
- May 14
- 7 min read
Universal Design and Aging in Place: Designing Homes That Support You for Life
Truly thoughtful design anticipates how a home will support the people living in it not just today, but years into the future. How a space functions for every day is integral to living happily in a space, and it may even become crucial to how long a person can continue to live in that space depending on their overall health going forward.
This is where universal design and aging-in-place planning come in. These concepts are not about making a home feel clinical or institutional. In fact, the best universal design is often invisible. It blends seamlessly into the design of a space while quietly making the home safer, more comfortable, and more functional for every stage of life.
Whether you are renovating a bathroom, designing a kitchen, or planning a full home project, integrating universal design strategies is one of the smartest investments you can make.
What Is Universal Design?
Universal design refers to creating spaces that are usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age, mobility, or ability. Instead of designing for a single moment in time, universal design considers how people interact with their homes across decades of living.
Some examples include:
Easy-to-navigate layouts
Adequate lighting throughout the home
Showers that are easier to enter and exit
Hardware that is simple to use
Storage that is accessible without strain
When done well, these features feel like part of a thoughtfully designed home rather than specialized accommodations.
Many of my clients initially think universal design only applies to seniors or individuals with mobility challenges. In reality, it benefits everyone—children, adults, guests, and future homeowners alike.
For example:
A curbless shower makes bathing easier for someone recovering from surgery.
Better lighting helps prevent accidents for everyone.
Wider pathways make moving furniture easier.
Lever-style handles are easier when your hands are full.
What Does Aging in Place Mean?
Aging in place means designing or modifying a home so that homeowners can live there safely and comfortably as they grow older.
Most people prefer to remain in their own homes rather than relocate to assisted living or downsizing communities. However, many homes are not originally built with that long-term flexibility in mind. Aging-in-place design helps remove common obstacles before they become problems.
Some typical goals include:
Reducing fall risks
Improving accessibility
Making everyday tasks easier
Increasing safety and visibility
Allowing for future adaptability
The key is planning ahead. Many aging-in-place features are inexpensive to incorporate during a renovation but become much more costly to add later.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
One of the most valuable roles an interior designer plays is thinking several steps ahead in the design process. When we plan for the future early, we can incorporate features that remain hidden until they are needed. For example, a homeowner may not need grab bars today, but installing structural blocking behind the walls during construction allows them to be added later without tearing open finished tile. This small step can make a major difference down the road.
Other planning decisions can include:
Designing bathrooms that can accommodate mobility aids if needed
Choosing lighting that supports aging eyesight
Creating layouts that are easy to navigate
The goal is not to anticipate every possible future scenario, but to build flexibility into the design of the home.
Smart Bathroom Design for Aging in Place
Bathrooms are one of the most important spaces to address when planning for long-term comfort and safety. They are also the room where falls most commonly occur. The good news is that many aging-in-place features can be beautifully integrated into modern bathroom design.
Blocking for Grab Bars
One of the most important behind-the-scenes details is installing blocking inside the walls around showers and toilets. Blocking is simply additional wood framing placed between studs so that grab bars can be securely mounted later if needed. Even if grab bars are not installed right away, this preparation allows them to be added easily in the future without compromising the tile or waterproofing.
From a design perspective, grab bars have come a long way. Many manufacturers now offer options that look like elegant towel bars rather than medical equipment, or toilet paper holders that incorporate grab bars.
Curbless or Low-Threshold Showers
Stepping over a tall shower curb can become difficult as mobility changes. A curbless shower eliminates this barrier entirely, allowing for smooth entry and exit. These showers also create a beautiful, modern aesthetic and can make a bathroom feel larger and more open. If a fully curbless shower is not possible, a very low threshold can still make a significant difference.
Built-In Shower Seating
A built-in shower bench is another feature that supports comfort and safety. Even for clients who are not thinking about mobility concerns, a bench is simply practical. It provides a place to sit while shaving, washing, or relaxing under warm water.
For aging-in-place planning, a shower seat can make bathing significantly easier if balance becomes an issue.
From a design standpoint, benches can be integrated seamlessly with tile and stone materials so they feel like part of the architecture of the space.
Non-Slip Flooring
Slippery floors are one of the most common causes of falls in bathrooms. When selecting tile, I always recommend considering slip resistance, particularly for shower floors and wet areas. Smaller tiles with more grout lines often provide better traction, and many manufacturers produce tile specifically designed for wet environments. Matte or honed tile is always best for bathroom and shower floors.
The right flooring choice can dramatically improve safety without sacrificing style.
Lighting That Supports Aging Eyesight
Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements of residential design, yet it plays a critical role in safety and comfort.
As we age, our eyes require significantly more light to see clearly. In fact, a 60-year-old may need two to three times more light than a 20-year-old for the same tasks. My older clients usually request better lighting from the beginning, but it is often something I have to suggest to my younger clients. However, they always appreciate the nicer lighting once they have it, and in a decade or two it will become essential.
Layered Lighting
Instead of relying on a single overhead light, I design homes using layered lighting, which includes:
Ambient lighting (general illumination)
Task lighting (for specific activities)
Accent lighting (for visual interest and navigation)
In bathrooms, for example, vertical lighting on either side of the mirror helps eliminate shadows on the face and provides good lighting uniformly. Layered lighting also provides increased safety and options for night lights.
In kitchens, under-cabinet lighting improves visibility for food preparation and layered lighting provides options for tasks or mood, depending on the activity. For example, with so many kitchens located in an open floor plan, the option to turn down the lighting in the kitchen can better match the atmosphere of what is occurring in the rest of the house.
Night Lighting
Small lighting features can make a big difference at night. Low-level night lighting in hallways, bathrooms, or stairways can help prevent falls and make navigating the home easier without turning on bright overhead lights. These lights can be integrated discreetly into the design of the space.
Good Switch Placement
Another often overlooked detail is the placement of light switches. Placing switches in intuitive locations and ensuring they are easy to reach makes everyday tasks simpler and more comfortable.
Thoughtful Kitchen Design
Kitchens also benefit greatly from universal design planning.
A few examples include:
· Varied Counter Heights
Not every task in the kitchen is best performed at the same height. Incorporating varied counter heights can make cooking more comfortable for a range of users. Lower sections of countertop can also provide seated work areas if needed.
· Easy-to-Use Hardware
Cabinet hardware that is easy to grip—such as pulls rather than small knobs—can make a noticeable difference in daily use. Lever-style faucet handles are another simple upgrade that improves usability.
· Accessible Storage
Deep drawers are often easier to use than traditional base cabinets because they bring items out to you rather than requiring you to reach into a dark space. Pull-out shelves, appliance garages, and thoughtfully placed storage all contribute to a more functional kitchen.
Designing Circulation and Layout
Universal design also considers how people move through the home. Simple layout decisions can make spaces feel more comfortable and accessible, and even small changes in layout can make a home significantly easier to navigate over time.
These include:
Wider walkways
Clear circulation paths
Avoiding unnecessary level changes
Placing frequently used rooms on the main floor
Placing the primary bedroom and bathroom on the main floor
Universal Design Enhances Home Value
Another benefit of universal design is that it often increases the long-term value of a home. Homes that are comfortable, safe, and adaptable appeal to a wider range of buyers. Features such as curbless showers, thoughtful lighting, main floor primary bedrooms and accessible layouts are increasingly desirable in the housing market. Rather than feeling specialized, these elements are becoming hallmarks of well-designed homes.
The Best Universal Design Is Beautiful
Perhaps the most important thing to understand about universal design is that it does not mean compromising on style. In fact, many of the features associated with aging-in-place design—like curbless showers, spacious layouts, and layered lighting—are also key elements of contemporary interior design. The goal is to create spaces that feel welcoming, calm, and beautiful while also supporting the people who live in them.
As interior designers, our responsibility is to design homes that function well today while remaining adaptable for the future.
Final Thoughts
When clients begin a renovation or new build project, it is easy to focus entirely on the immediate outcome: the finishes, the furniture, and how the space will look when it is complete. But the most successful homes are the ones designed with both the present and the future in mind.
By incorporating universal design strategies—such as blocking for grab bars, curbless showers, built-in seating, layered lighting, and thoughtful layouts—we create homes that support comfort, safety, and independence for years to come.
These decisions are rarely dramatic or obvious. Often, they are subtle details hidden behind walls or built quietly into the architecture of the home. But over time, they make a profound difference in how well a home serves the people who live in it.
Good design should always be beautiful. But the very best design is beautiful, functional, and built to last.
