We’re all familiar with accessibility in design, which we are most likely to encounter in public spaces and commercial buildings. Accessibility features make it easier for wheelchair users and mobility limitations to approach and enter buildings, as well as navigate once inside.
Did you know, though, that over 90% of people with disabilities are not wheelchair users? Add in anyone who is experiencing limitations due to aging, and the number of people who could benefit from design that includes their needs only grows.
As we return to multi-generational living arrangements and simultaneously gain more insight into the challenges faced by the neurodivergent members of our families, inclusive design is more pertinent than at any time within the last fifty years. Today, then, let’s discuss how to make your home more comfortable and inclusive.
What Is Inclusive Design?
Inclusive designs consider the needs of those who are neurodivergent, suffer from disorders like epilepsy or migraines, are aging in place, or have mobility limitations that fall outside the standard accessibility accommodations.
Additionally, inclusive design covers anything that would make it easier for you and yours to live comfortably within your home now and in the future. When you think about your daily routines, consider where you may struggle with the design as it is. There may be changes you can make to increase your home’s usability, and those can also fall under inclusive design.
The Aesthetics of Inclusivity
Having a beautiful home is a goal that most people share. Fortunately, inclusivity does not have to mean giving up on the overall visual impact of your home. For example, if you are preparing to age in place, your home can be just as lovely as anyone else’s--you simply must begin with your aesthetic goals, then compromise only where necessary to achieve your inclusivity targets.
Remember, you do not have to create a home that is entirely inclusive. Instead, you need only consider the needs of your family and those you love who are likely to spend significant time with you.
Bathrooms
The most inclusive bathroom location is within an en suite on the ground floor. This way, whoever is using it has total privacy as well as space. If you are redesigning an existing bathroom or designing a new one, a wide doorway, walk-in shower, and water faucets that use levers rather than knobs can all be great ways to focus on inclusivity.
Reinforced walls for grab bar installation, windows that are easy to open, and a bathmat that is low pile to avoid creating a tripping hazard are a few more examples of creating a bathroom that can be used by those who are aging or have mobility challenges.
Living Rooms
Textures like velvet and velour, metallic fabrics, and rugs that feature varied pile heights can all be sensory nightmares for those with autism and/or ADHD. While the types of textures that are intolerable will vary from person to person, generally microfiber and leather are safe choices.
On the other hand, leather that is taut and smooth can be difficult for those who have reduced core strength, so they may struggle to stabilize themselves. Seating should not be too low, nor should it slope down toward the back. Firmer cushions are easier for elderly people and those with painful joint or muscle conditions to stand up without assistance, and seats with a moderate depth are similarly helpful.
Again, the important thing is to consider the needs of those who are most likely to spend time at your house.
Kitchens
The standard American kitchen presents quite a challenge for those who are elderly as well as individuals with limited mobility. To make your kitchen more inclusive, keep cookware and dishware in lower cabinets, and offer seating that is easily used by all. While tall seating can be helpful for small children, it can present a safety hazard for the elderly, so a variety of seating types may be the right move for your family.
If you are designing with neurodivergence in mind, ventilation is key. Strong smells like cooked meat and fish, intense spice blends, or burned foods are a terrible experience for anyone with a strong sense of smell, and neurodivergent individuals commonly have scent sensitivity on the far end of the bell curve. Ventilation that can quickly remove smells will go a long way toward making your kitchen comfortable for your loved one.
Home Offices
If your home features a workspace, you want it to be a room that fosters creativity, clear thinking, and focus. Fresh air is a big help, so plants, windows, and proper ventilation are all good strategies. Clean, organized work surfaces are a must, so closed storage and regular dusting are key.
To ensure proper temperature, a quiet fan as well as a space heater that can be swapped out as needed will be helpful for anyone dealing with menopause as well as any other issues that make internal temperature regulation difficult.
Inclusivity for Migraine Sufferers
As many as 40 million Americans battle migraines, and the typical home is packed with potential migraine triggers. While strong scents are a trigger for some and should be avoided, additional triggers include overhead lighting, exposed lightbulbs, fluorescent lights, mirrors that catch sunlight, reflective surfaces like chrome, and flickering candles.
To combat this, keep fixtures brushed rather than highly polished, remove items that create glare, and avoid overhead lighting. Instead, warm, diffuse lighting is the best choice for truly inclusive interiors.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, you and your family are the ones who must determine what inclusivity looks like for your home. What changes do you want to make in 2025? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.
If you are in the market for a home that is more inclusive or offers better opportunities to be customized to that end, please reach out to your agent.
Posted by Parks Compass on
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