[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74WIy7A1gXo?rel=0&w=1280&h=720]
In the above video, Schloegel Design Remodel’s Debby Allmon shares tips on http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/design/15-ways-to-incorporate-universal-design-into-a-remodeling-projectUniversal Design in Remodeling.
When considering a renovation, don’t forget to plan for the next step/next phase of life.
A young couple with a growing family has far different needs than a family of teen-agers or empty nesters. However, proper planning can make renovations and additions adaptable to the next “stage” of life.
Make Sure your remodel can “grow” with you and your family
Universal Design – world-wide movement based on the idea that all residential environments and products should be easily used and accessed by all members of the family, regardless of their age, size or physical abilities – throughout their lifespan.
Universal Remodeling is important because homeowners should not have to move because a house is not adaptable to family change. Average life expectancy continues to increase.
Adaptable design – readily adjusted, adaptable features can be adjusted in a short time by unskilled labor without involving structural or finished material changes.
Multi-generational housing – parents moving in as they age, adult children moving back home
Full transcript of the interview on KSHB’s KCLive:
Michelle D.: When considering a renovation, don’t forget to plan for the next step or phase of life. Schloegel Design Remodel designer and Debby Allmon is here to tell us what to plan for. Welcome to the show.
Debby Allmon: Thanks for having me.
Michelle D.: If more and more people are staying in their home, they do want to remodel and as kids get a little bit older they want different things, so how do you plan?
Debby Allmon: I was thinking about adaptable designs. Making sure that when you remodel, it can change with you and with your family as it ages. One of the biggest things we’re seeing is empty-nester remodels. What do you do when the kids are gone, but you want to have a great space for family and gathering when they come home?
Michelle D.: I love that because when they move out, they box their stuff up, and you have maybe a new sewing room or a new, I don’t know, entertainment area.
Debby Allmon: Workout. Anything.
Michelle D.: Workout area. There you go. I love that, so you brought in some pictures too, to show off some examples of remodeling. The first ones we’re looking at some cabinets here. This is beautiful.
Debby Allmon: Oh yeah. That is actually a wine cabinet. It’s two wine refrigerators and it’s kind of part of a space we call the disappearing dining room, because people don’t need that formal dining room space anymore and so what we’re doing is filling it with fun things like bars or something amazing like this, that’s behind the cabinets.
Michelle D.: Oh, that is inside. They are fully stocked. They’re ready for a party. Holy cow, that is beautiful.
Debby Allmon: And as it’s closed, it just looks like this beautiful piece of furniture, but get ready, the party can start any time.
Michelle D.: On my gosh, that is amazing. I think every home needs that. Okay, so next, kitchen remodeling is obviously very important because we spend so much time in that room.
Debby Allmon: Absolutely. Kitchens are like the heart of the home and everybody has different stages, whether their kids are little, teenagers, college students, whatever, so you want to make sure that your kitchen works throughout those times. In this kitchen there’s a little banquette area and some place to sit down at the island, so kids can sit there and do their homework while you’re cooking dinner and they’re right there with you, or it’s a great place to serve, a great place to be with family. It’s very adaptable.
Michelle D.: I will say that bright white kitchen, it makes the home feel cleaner and you’ll feel so much better afterwards, because if you’ve got the darker cabinets and you want to remodel and be on trend and on style, right?
Debby Allmon: White is classic. It will always be in.
Michelle D.: It is, it’s a timeless look. There you go.
Debby Allmon: That’s right.
Michelle D.: How about bathrooms?
Debby Allmon: Bathrooms, so things to think about with bathrooms are not just to make them beautiful and functional, but for later. Some clients of ours will do a zero entry floor, so that you have no curb to step over, so that you can just walk straight in or if you’re in a walker, or even a wheelchair, but not only that I’ve had people tell us about they broke their leg, and for a time needed more accessible space, so you don’t have to be an aging generation to appreciate spaces that work for everybody.
Michelle D.: This is a great example, beautiful.
Debby Allmon: Beautiful bathroom, and as you can see beyond the tub there, it’s just flat. Straight into that nice big shower, all the doorways are wide enough so that if you needed it for access or somebody to help you, you can get through. It’s a gorgeous space but it’s very accessible and usable for everybody.
Michelle D.: Love the soaking tub too. That’s a trend. Remember those old Jacuzzi’s? People are getting rid of those and putting in the soaking tub.
Debby Allmon: 100%, yes.
Michelle D.: I love that. How does the water not roll out of the zero entry, I was just curious?
Debby Allmon: Well, that one is large enough that it’s not going to, but there’s a gentle slope to the drain still, but there’s no transition as you go through.
Michelle D.: You can get in and out of there and you don’t have to trip over some [inaudible 00:03:24] or lip. Okay.
Debby Allmon: Absolutely.
Michelle D.: The final room is the living room, which is a space where we like to, we hang out, let’s just say, altogether, play maybe family games, or then there’s the big television set too.
Debby Allmon: Right, the hang out space, for sure. We’re even seeing some of these rooms change a little bit. This is a game room that we’ll show you in a second here and it has a pool table, and a ping pong table that you don’t necessarily see, but also room to gather, a bar. It’s one big space but everybody can be a part of, of course made beautiful with beams and lighting and all that kind of stuff, but it’s converting spaces to suit your lifestyle and that will last.
Michelle D.: That is a beautiful space.
Debby Allmon: Isn’t it pretty?
Michelle D.: Yeah, I love the beams. It’s amazing how just those little accents add so much to the room.
Debby Allmon: Absolutely.
Michelle D.: All right, well we will have a link to Schloegel Design Remodel where you can find all the information you need to know, and get some help with your remodeling. It’s at KCLive.TV. Thank you so much for being here.
Debby Allmon: Thanks for having me.
Michelle D.: Got us inspired. All right we’ll…