This is Part 2 of our three-part series on custom retirement home design.
[Read Part 1: Planning Your Custom Retirement Home: Essential Aging-in-Place Considerations ]
Universal Design Features That Add Luxury and Function to Your Custom Home
The beauty of universal design lies in its subtlety. These aren’t special accommodations—they’re smart design choices that make daily life easier and more comfortable for everyone who enters your home.
Entrance and Accessibility
Your home’s entrance sets the tone for everything that follows, and it’s where universal design principles shine brightest.
Walkways and Approaches
Gradual approach walkways make life easier for everyone. They help during Northern Michigan’s long winters when ice creates treacherous conditions, make it easier to wheel luggage to the door, and assist with stroller navigation. When designed thoughtfully, gentle slopes look like natural landscaping features while providing practical winter benefits.
Doorway Widths
Wider doorways—particularly the 36-inch standard we recommend—create immediately more spacious feelings. You’ll appreciate this during furniture moves, when wearing bulky winter coats, or when hosting parties where guests flow naturally between rooms. The investment is minimal during construction but creates lasting daily benefits.
No-Step Entries
Eliminating steps or using minimal steps with gentle slopes removes daily navigation challenges. This becomes especially valuable during snowy seasons when steps become icy despite regular maintenance. It’s about year-round safety and convenience, not future mobility concerns.
Do I need to install ramps now, or can I prepare for them?
Smart preparation pays off. During construction, we can design entrances and walkways to easily accommodate future ramp installation without requiring them now. This means ensuring adequate space, proper drainage, and landscape features that could seamlessly incorporate ramps later.
Bathroom Design for Life
Perhaps nowhere is the intersection of luxury and accessibility more apparent than in thoughtfully designed bathrooms.
Curbless Showers
Curbless showers have become luxury bathroom signatures. They create seamless, open feelings that make modest bathrooms feel spacious and elegant. The uninterrupted floor plane is visually striking and easier to clean than traditional shower curbs. Most clients choose them for the sophisticated aesthetic—accessibility is a bonus.
Strategic Wall Reinforcement
Reinforced walls for future grab bar installation represent smart planning that costs almost nothing during construction but saves thousands later. We strategically reinforce shower areas and around toilets. If grab bars become helpful, they can be installed securely without major renovations. The reinforcement is invisible, maintaining your intended design.
Comfort Features
Comfort-height toilets have become quality construction standards, sitting about two inches higher than traditional models. Most people find them more comfortable regardless of age—they’re called “universal height” because they work better for nearly everyone.
Adequate maneuvering space isn’t just about wheelchairs—it’s about creating bathrooms that feel open and uncluttered. Generous space around fixtures makes cleaning easier, prevents cramped feelings, and allows comfortable movement when multiple people are getting ready.
Can accessible bathrooms still be luxurious and spa-like?
Absolutely! Luxury spa features are inherently accessible. Think about beautiful hotel bathrooms—they typically feature walk-in showers, comfortable seating, excellent lighting, and generous space. Modern accessible design includes heated floors, rainfall showerheads, built-in seating that looks like designer benches, and sophisticated lighting that provides excellent task visibility.
Kitchen Considerations
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and thoughtful design here makes daily life more enjoyable and efficient for years to come.
Multiple Counter Heights
Varied counter heights create visual interest while serving practical purposes. Standard 36-inch counters for most preparation, combined with 30-inch sections for seated work, and perhaps 42-inch bar areas for casual dining, accommodate different tasks and users naturally. This looks custom and sophisticated while ensuring kitchens work for people of different heights.
Storage Solutions
Pull-out shelving and deep drawers have become quality kitchen hallmarks because they make more sense than traditional cabinets. Instead of reaching into dark corners, everything is accessible with gentle pulls. This improves efficiency and organization for any cook.
Easy-reach storage keeps frequently used items within comfortable range. Design pantries with adjustable shelving, incorporate lazy Susans in corner cabinets, and ensure everyday dishes and ingredients are stored between hip and shoulder height.
Lighting Excellence
Good lighting and contrast make kitchen tasks safer and more pleasant. Under-cabinet LED lighting illuminates work surfaces, pendant lights over islands provide task lighting, and adequate ambient lighting ensures no corner is shadowed. High contrast between countertops and cabinets looks striking while helping with visibility.
How do I balance aging-friendly features with current cooking needs?
Universal design enhances cooking for serious chefs and casual cooks alike. Kitchen islands with multiple heights give better ergonomics for different tasks while creating visual interest. Pull-out shelves improve organization regardless of mobility level. Excellent lighting helps with food preparation whether you’re 30 or 70.
Structural and Safety Features
Beyond visible design elements, thoughtful structural choices create foundations for comfortable, secure living.
Lighting Strategy
Exceptional lighting is perhaps the most important safety feature in any home. Northern Michigan’s long winters make quality lighting essential, as we rely on artificial light much of the year.
Maximize natural light through thoughtful window placement and skylights. LED lighting throughout provides excellent illumination while being energy-efficient and long-lasting. Layer lighting with ambient, task, and accent options in each room.
Motion sensors for pathways add convenience and safety. Automatic lighting in hallways, bathrooms, and entries means never navigating dark spaces, whether getting up at night or coming home after dark.
Flooring Choices
The right flooring combines beauty, durability, and safety while enhancing aesthetics and providing practical long-term benefits.
Non-slip surfaces don’t have to look clinical. Today’s luxury vinyl planks, textured tiles, and properly finished hardwoods provide excellent traction while maintaining desired appearance. Choose materials with slight texture rather than completely smooth surfaces, particularly in areas that might get wet.
Smooth transitions between rooms create visual flow while eliminating tripping hazards. Rather than abrupt height or material changes, incorporate gentle transitions that look intentional and elegant.
Stairway Excellence
When homes include stairs, thoughtful construction details make them safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Wider treads and lower risers create comfortable climbing experiences that reduce fatigue. Going beyond building codes—perhaps 11-inch treads instead of 9-inch, or 7-inch risers instead of 8-inch—creates stairs that feel gracious and are easier to navigate, particularly when wearing boots or carrying items.
Solid handrails on both sides provide security and balance support everyone appreciates. Choose comfortable-to-grip handrails that extend slightly beyond top and bottom steps.
Excellent stairway lighting is non-negotiable. Include ambient lighting that illuminates entire staircases evenly, and accent lighting that highlights step edges.
Smart Home Integration
Technology can enhance independent living and daily convenience, but it works best when complementing good design rather than compensating for poor planning.
Voice controls and basic automation make daily tasks simpler for everyone. Adjust lighting, temperature, or music without getting up, or control systems when hands are full. These conveniences become particularly valuable during Northern Michigan winters.
Simple automation like programmable lighting that mimics natural daylight patterns helps combat winter blues while providing practical benefits. Automated door locks offer security and convenience.
Choose systems that are intuitive and reliable rather than overly complex. Technology should make life easier, not create challenges.
Looking Ahead
Coming Next: Part 3, Working with Your Builder: Advanced Features and Strategic Planning for Your Custom Retirement Home, will cover room-by-room design strategies, luxury accessibility features, and how to work effectively with your custom builder to achieve your aging-in-place goals.
Are you ready to make your dream home a reality?
Contact us today to make an appointment to discuss your home building plans. We’ll be with you every step of the way to guide you to the perfect home.