How to Age-Proof Your Remodeling

Here's a practical guide to make your home friendlier as you age.
1470015

TS-dv1470015_architect_s4x3

1470015

Mary Fisher Knott is 6 feet tall and has a bad back, a physical challenge that make bending difficult. She also is approaching her senior years. As a kitchen and bath designer and a residential space planner, Mary is well-versed on design concepts that can make a home more accessible for the aging and disabled. She offers a number of practical age-proofing ideas for use throughout the home and especially in the kitchen.

Throughout the home:

  • Use lever-type handles instead of doorknobs and lever handles for faucets.
  • Make doorways 36 inches wide, instead of the standard 32 inches, to accommodate a wheel chair.
  • Position light switches 42 inches off the finished floor where they are accessible to someone in a wheelchair and are a comfortable height for most people.
  • Use motion sensors for lighting at entry areas of the home.
  • Select floor coverings that can accommodate a wheelchair or walker: commercial grade carpet, wood, laminate and ceramic tile with grout joints not more than 3/8-inch wide. For kitchen flooring, Mary often recommends commercial carpet squares, which can be cleaned or replaced.
  • Use pocket doors when possible.
  • Put dimmers on all light switches, allowing a mix of daylight and artificial light. At night the light level can be changed.
  • Use pulldown wardrobe lifts for upper clothes-pole spaces in walk-in closets. Hafele offers such a wardrobe system, which allows the user to pull down the upper rack. The system requires a 48-inch-deep closet.

In the kitchen:

  • Provide open spaces in base cabinets accommodate wheelchairs.
  • Vary counter heights, and include pullout boards that lock in place for use as extra counter space.
  • Install faucets to the right or left of the sink instead of behind it.
  • Install appliances at accessible levels. Mary also points out that microwave ovens are usually placed too high. "Ideally, microwaves should only be 8 or 10 inches off the finished counter," she says.
  • To make dishwashers more accessible, she suggests elevating them or using dishwasher drawers placed on either side of the sink. Front-loading laundry equipment also can be elevated.
  • Select nonreflective counter surfaces and appliances with easy-to-read controls to prevent eye strain.

Next Up

The 7 Principles of Universal Design and Why They're Important

Are you remodeling or building a home to accommodate people of differing needs? Universal design can help.

How to Build a Wheelchair Ramp and Landing

Make your home more accessible with this project. Learn how to build a wooden ramp and landing to accommodate wheelchair users and others with mobility issues.

Pottery Barn Just Launched an Accessible Home Collection

See the stunning new 150-piece line and snag some of our favorite pieces.

Why Is There so Much Dust in My House?

Find the answers to frequently asked cleaning questions, plus get 10 handy tips for making your house less dusty.

What Does Asbestos Look Like and How to Identify It

Nearly 50 years after the first federal ban, asbestos is finally not being used in new residential building materials, but it still exists in millions of homes. Living with asbestos doesn’t automatically make it a problem, but it can become one if we’re not careful.

How to Clean a Humidifier

Improve your home's air quality by disinfecting one of the most important small appliances you’re probably forgetting to clean.

'Visitability' Makes Homes Accessible

Improving access for all makes sense, builders and remodelers say.

7 Tips for Controlling House Dust Mites

These microscopic spider-like critters are a leading cause of allergies and asthma. Here's how to fight back.

Multipurpose Space Appeals to Boomers

From tech spaces to flex spaces, learn about increasing room versatility.

10 Scenic Vacation Home Rentals That Are Wheelchair-Accessible + Perfect for Your Next Family Getaway

We scoured Airbnb and Vrbo for some of the prettiest vacation rentals suitable for the whole family.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.