Exterior
• Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick)
• Low-maintenance shrubs and plants
• Deck, patio or balcony surfaces are no more than ½ inch below interior floor level if made of wood
Overall Floor Plan
• Main living on a single story, including full bath
• No steps between rooms/areas on the same level
• 5-foot by 5-foot clear/turn space in living area, kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom
Hallways
• Minimum of 36 inches wide, wider preferred
• Well lit
Entry
• Accessible path of travel to the home
• At least one no-step entry with a cover
• Sensor light at exterior no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock
• There needs to be 32 inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
• Non-slip flooring in foyer
• Entry door sidelight or high/low peep hole viewer; sidelight should provide both privacy and safety.
• Doorbell in accessible location
• Surface to place packages on when opening door
Thresholds
• Flush preferable
• Exterior maximum of ½ inch beveled
• Interior maximum of ¼ inch
Interior Doors
• There needs to be 32 inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
• Levered door hardware
Windows
• Plenty of windows for natural light
• Lowered windows or taller windows with lower sill height
• Low maintenance exterior and interior finishes
• Easy to operate hardware
Garage or Carport
• Covered wider than average (to accomodate lifts on vans) carports and boarding spaces
• Door heights may need to be 9 feet to accommodate some raised roof vans
• 5-foot minimum access aisle between accessible van and car in garage
• If code requires floor to be several inches below entrance to house for fume protection, can slope entire floor from front to back to eliminate need for ramp or step
• Ramp to doorway if needed
• Handrail if steps
Faucets
• Lever handles or pedal-controlled
• Thermostatic or anti-scald controls
• Pressure balanced faucets
Kitchen and Laundry
Counters (Kitchen and Laundry)
• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
• Upper wall cabinetry - 3 inches lower than conventional height
• Accented stripes on edge of countertops to provide visual orientation to the workspace
• Counter space for dish landing adjacent to or opposite all appliances
• Base cabinet with roll out trays and lazy susans
• Pull-down shelving
• Glass-front cabinet doors
• Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items
Appliances (Kitchen and Laundry)
• Easy to read controls
• [Front loading] washing machine and dryer raised 12 to 15 inches above floor
• Microwave oven at counter height or in wall
• Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
• Side-swing or wall oven
• Raised dishwasher with pushbutton controls
• Electric cook top with level burners for safety in transferring between the burners, front controls and downdraft feature to pull heat away from user; light to indicate when surface is hot
Miscellaneous (Kitchen and Laundry)
• 30-inch by 48-inch clear space at appliances or 60-inch diameter clear space for turns
• Multi-level work areas to accommodate cooks of different heights
• Open under-counter seated work areas
• Placement of task lighting in appropriate work areas
• Loop handles for easy grip and pull
• Pull-out spray faucet; levered handles
• In multi-story homes, laundry chute or laundry facilities in master bedroom
Bathroom
• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
• Contrasting color edge border at countertops
• At least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
• Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat and toilet for installation of grab bars to support 250 - 300 pounds
• If stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curbless and minimum of 36 inches wide and has light in stall
• Bathtub - lower for easier access
• Fold down seat in the shower
• Adjustable/ handheld showerheads, 6-foot hose
• Tub/Shower controls offset from center
• Shower stall with built-in antibacterial protection
• Toilet 2 ½ inches higher than standard toilet (17 to 19 inches) or height-adjustable
• Design of the toilet paper holder allows rolls to be changed with one hand
• Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from pipes
• Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower
Stairways, Lifts and Elevators
• Adequate hand rails on both sides of stairway, 1 ¼-inch diameter
• Increased visibility of stairs through contrast strip on top & bottom stairs, color contrast between treads & on stairs & use of lighting
• Multi-story homes may provide either pre-framed shaft (ie. stacked closets) for future elevator, or stairway width must be minimum of 4 feet to allow space for lift
• Residential elevator or lift
Ramps
• Slope no greater than 1 inch rise for each 12 inches in length, adequate handrails
• 5-foot landing provided at entrance
• 2-inch curbs for safety
Storage
• Adjustable closet rods and shelves in well-lit closets
• Easy open doors that do not obstruct access
Electrical, Lighting, Safety and Security
• Light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms
• Light receptacles with at least 2 bulbs in vital places (exits, bathroom)
• Light switches, thermostats and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor
• Electrical outlets 15 inches on center from floor; may need to be closer than 12 feet apart
• Clear access space of 30 inches by 48 inches in front of switches and controls
• Rocker or touch light switches
• Audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone or smoke or CO2 detectors have been activated
• High-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, with heating, air conditioning and lighting, from any TV in the house
• Easy-to-see and read pre-programmed thermostats
• Flashing porch light or 911 switch direct wired to police, fire, and EMS (as option)
• Home wired for computers and security
Flooring
• Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior
• If carpeted, use low (less than ½ inch high pile) density, with firm pad
• Color/texture contrast to indicate change in surface levels
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• HVAC should be designed so filters are easily accessible
• Energy efficient units
• Windows that can be opened for cross ventilation, fresh air
Energy Efficient Features
• In-line framing with 2 by 6 studs spaced 24-inch on center
• Air-barrier installation and sealing of duct work with mastic
• Reduced-size air conditioning units with gas furnaces
• Mechanical fresh air ventilation, installation of air returns in all bedrooms and use of carbon monoxide detectors
• Installation of energy efficient windows with Low-E glass
Reduced Maintenance/Convenience Features
• Easy to clean surfaces
• Central vacuum
• Built-in pet feeding system
• Built-in recycling system
• Video phones and intercom system
Other Ideas
• Separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver
• Flex room that can used as a nursery or playroom when the children are young and as a home office later; if combined with a full bath, room could also be used for an aging parent/aging in place