Universal design improves accessibility for all ages and abilities.

Photo provided by Greater Home Services.

According to the latest poll conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) on its website, the majority (56 percent) of homeowners cite functionality as their largest concern when it comes to their home. Functionality of the home starts with good design. Qualified remodelers can help homeowners take special care to look for the missing details in any home design—from accessibility to the location of the electrical outlets and light switches.

While a home remodel usually has an immediate impact on a home, it should be a project that provides benefits for many years to come as well. One way to get the most out of your investment long term is by incorporating elements of universal design. Universal design is an approach to the design of products and environments that makes them easy and comfortable for everyone, regardless of age, ability or situation. As the boomer generation ages, and lifestyle needs change, more professional remodelers are helping homeowners modify their existing homes to accommodate universal design standards. Even if you're not sure you need some of these features right now, it's often easier and less costly to plan for future needs than to remodel later on.

When starting a remodeling project, homeowners should think about how they intend to use the space in the future. Young families with small kids may use the space differently than empty-nesters. Multi-generational households oftentimes require universal design principles to be incorporated to increase the accessibility for everyone who lives in the home.

In a two-day instructional series on universal design, Bryce Jacob, NARI’s national universal design expert shared insights with Southeast Michigan members interested in learning more about this important topic. Overall, there are seven basic principles to universal design that homeowners should keep in mind, according to NARI:

• Equitable Use: The design accommodates any type of user.
• Flexibility in Use: The design may be used by people with a wide range of abilities.
• Simple and Intuitive Use: Design is easy to understand and “figure out”.
• Perceptible Information: The design itself communicates efficiently to the user.
• Tolerance for Error: The design is safe and minimizes consequences of accidents.
• Low Physical Effort: The design can be used without strenuous exertion.
• Appropriate Size and Space for Approach and Use

These principles enable your remodeling contractor to help implement a design that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Consulting with a universal design professional will provide you with ideas to increase flexibility, convenience, time and money-saving hints for your particular project. To view a series of videos with more information about universal design, click here .

“Our goal in remodeling homes goes beyond modernizing, but rather to make a range of changes or repairs that result in the home becoming more comfortable, user-friendly and safe for persons of all statures, ages and abilities,” says Gary Grabowski of Greater Home Services, a recently certified NARI Universal Design specialist. “Universal design means fitting the home to suit everyone's needs, whether they are young or old, short or tall, with physical limitations or without."

Four remodelers in Southeast Michigan currently hold NARI certifications in universal design:

• Gary Grabowski of Greater Home Services • Norm Haase of Haase Construction • Rachel Hill of Dexter Builders • David Kramer of 21st Century Building Company

All of these firms are members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). For more information on NARI, go to www.NARIsemich.org.