Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Columbus with raised-panel cabinets and beige cabinets

Universal Design vanity at lower height with knee space, with a shallow undermount sink with a lever faucet. 8" toekicks with "d" pulls cabinet hardware with ample storage. Comfort height toilet with elegant towel bar/grab bars.

All Photos by 'Peter Vitale'
Example of a large trendy master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

A narrow pool is nestled into the back yard next to an outdoor living area. Photo: Jim Bartsch
Large minimalist backyard concrete and rectangular lap pool photo in Los Angeles

Photo by Hisao Suzuki
Example of an exterior home design in Other

A once small enclosed Jack and Jill bathroom that was connected to the master bedroom and to the hallway completely rebuilt to become the master bathroom as part of an open floor design with the master bedroom. 2 walk-in closets (his and hers) with frosted glass bi-fold doors, the wood flooring of the master bedroom continues into the bathroom space, a nice sized 72" wall mounted vanity wood finish vanity picks up the wood grains of the floor and a huge side to side LED mirror gives a great depth effect. The huge master shower can easily accommodate 2 people with dark bamboo printed porcelain tile for the floor and bench and a light gray stripped rectangular tiled walls gives an additional feeling of space.

Homeowners are choosing to live in their homes for as long as possible. But as we get older it becomes harder to get around. The inability to move easily from room-to-room or to climb stairs – even if only a few – presents a safety issue that conflicts with an easy-living lifestyle. This is an important consideration, as we grow older.

Universal design is a strategy that recognizes the current and future physical abilities of homeowners and suggests remodeling ideas that will work for them. Removing steps from entryways are a great example. The solution for this home involved the creative use of pavers on a gentle slope to eliminate two cement steps. Our before and after photos show the results.

There's nothing like Mickey to brighten up your child's day. The funny thing is that this person knows how to decorate better than a hotel room at Disney World. Sometimes there are simply not enough rooms in your home to accommodate your guests, so what better idea than to have the in laws or your parents crash the little rugrats room and sleep with them. Your senior citizen parents won't complain sleeping on a futon, it's much more comfortable than the pull out sofa bed or click clack "futon". As long as you know how to choose the right type of mattress, your futon will look better and sit and sleep better than any conventional couch or sofa. Many futon cover manufactures to COM. So if you happen to have any Mickey fabric, it could also be made into a futon cover.

AFTER - Using hardwood floors throughout the house created a more updated and open look. The large crown and base moldings, new trim and solid wood doors gave the home an upscale elegance. Recessed lighting not only warmly illuminates the hall, but is also designed to create path lighting for senior citizens and guests.

Home design - transitional home design idea in Chicago

Ken Kotch Photography
Bathroom - small contemporary bathroom idea in Boston

Too often function trumps design, and homeowners are left with stair substitution solutions that work, but don’t have much curb appeal. The solution for this home involved the creative use of pavers on a gentle slope to eliminate two cement steps.

Example of a transitional home design design in Chicago

Keeping universal design strategies in mind when considering a home remodeling or addition project makes a lot of sense. Planning it right and building it right adds value to your home and eliminates wasted time and money.

As we go through life, our needs change. As a young person first stars out on his own, he only needs a bed and a TV to be happy. He adds to his collection of furniture as he is able. Getting married usually brings in a new set of furniture for a new home together. Adding children means adding a lot of pint-sized items. When children are grown and on their own, people don’t need as much house or as many furnishings as was needed before. Furniture leasing has its place in nearly every season of our lives, but it can be particular helpful for senior citizens. Seniors can benefit from furniture leasing in several different circumstances. Many of these are transitional times. Recently retired seniors selling a home can lease furniture for staging if they are wanting to sell their home. Older adults temporarily residing in assisted living centers may also want to rent furniture. Seniors relocating to a new home closer to recreation opportunities or their children may also turn to furniture leasing during the transition. The Urbandale-Zimmer Dining set is an excellent choice for Senior living. Oftentimes, seniors are downsizing when they sell their homes. No longer in need of several bedrooms, they opt for cozier quarters. The large furniture they once needed is not right for their current home- it may be too big for a new condo or townhome, for example. Many seniors buy new furnishings for their new home, but the old home must still be sold. It’s harder to convince a potential buyer on an unfurnished home so many real estate agents suggest leasing furniture to stage it. A few pieces in each room are enough to suggest its use and give a feel for its scale. Leasing makes sense for this use since the buyer will need the furniture after the sale is complete. Another living arrangement for seniors is assisted living. Some communities are fully furnished. Some only provide 3-4 items- the basics, while others do not provide furnishings at all. Talk to your center’s liaison to see what the facility will be providing. Brook Furniture Rental can help make an assisted living center feel more comfortable and more like home, which makes for a happier, more positive person. Being away from family, friends and the comforts of home can be a difficult time. Anything that makes a stay more enjoyable is worth the cost. When some seniors downsize, they also choose to relocate. They may move to be closer to their grandchildren or retire to a long-awaited dream city. This situation may also call for furniture leasing. Moving companies don’t always get things to us when we’d like so renting a few pieces can help fill in until everything arrives. Again, a senior may have chosen to downsize and will wait until he has purchased a new home to choose furnishings. Orders can take time to be filled so leasing is a good way to keep the house comfortable until the furniture order arrives. In these and many other circumstances, furniture leasing is a budget-friendly option for a senior citizen. Brook Furniture Rental has plenty of wonderful inviting choices and a concierge to make the process simple. Coupled with their guarantee, leasing from Brook is a safe bet for a “seasoned” citizen.

Designed and built by Iconica

Farms, ranches, recreational vehicles, boats, and military bases are off-grid and resilient. Our energy+water+food renovations move this nonprofit apartment for low-income seniors closer to Texas independence. The owner joined the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge to reduce overall energy + water by 20% in 10 years. This fellow taxpayer and citizen appreciates our client's stewardship of government (HUD) resources and senior lives that matter.

New bathroom on first floor for senior access with grab bars and shower bench and chair seating. Designed by Chris Doering at Truplans.com for Truadditions CSLB #921947.