In a 2019 report by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, over 75% of homeowners who hired home remodeling contractors for a project expressed a desire to “stay in their homes”. While remodeling does increase the value of a home, it has a greater impact on the happiness of its residents according to the same study. This concept is not a new one, however, because in 2016, this same trend started making waves across the country.
The idea of the “Forever House” by renowned architect Michael Graves and, then vice president for marketing for a large national chain, Bob Thacker, was borne out of the need to transform the Thacker home into something that can accommodate residents who are getting on in age.
When designing a Forever House, the number one priority of home, bath and kitchen remodeling experts is accessibility. Take doorways, for example. The standard door is narrower than it is tall. While this is sufficient for many users, it’s often not suitable for people who need more clearance like those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Widening doors, entrances and access points is a staple of any aging-in-place design.
If you’re starting from scratch, it’s best to build at-grade. Moving around with wheels, whether it’s a baby stroller or a wheelchair, can be difficult if your interior has plenty of steps and stairs. You also want to choose a material that works well with wheeled movement. This means you might want to forego carpeting in favor of “smoother” tiles or wood.
Bathrooms are second only to the kitchen in terms of daily usage. Consider hiring new addition contractors to install an extra bathroom that is meant to be access-friendly. Include amenities like anti-slip floors, additional grab bars around the shower and tub area and commode, and lowered cabinets and toiletry storage.
Our professionals at Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland can help you transform your home into a Forever House. Call us today at (443) 300-2268, or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate and get your project started today. We serve homeowners in Baltimore, MD.
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