Universal Design Ideas for Your Home

Image: Calacatta Umber Polished Marble Bathroom Countertop & Tivoli Beige 18×36 Large Format Porcelain Bathroom Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

Throughout a home, or any space, focusing on universal design offers an environment that is accessible for everyone. If there’s a style you love, it can be tailored to Universal Design standards and carried through your home. With our variety of tile and slab products, you’ll find a wonderful selection for both inside and outside your home that allows you to achieve Universal Design.

By looking at each room individually, we will develop a design sense that follows Universal Design principles while still having the flexibility to include details you love in each space. For a basis to it all, understanding the standards of this design philosophy will be key to capturing the proper approach.

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design (UD) is not one simple function, but a homogeneous concept. Universal Design is about creating spaces that are accessible and functional for everyone, regardless of age, disability or other factors.

Considered the “father of universal design,” Ronald Mace can be thanked for his huge impact on day-to-day living for those with disabilities. Born a healthy child in 1940, Mace became wheelchair-bound at the age of nine due to polio. Having already experienced life without disability, he soon learned the extensive barriers that he would need to navigate. After graduating from NC State University in 1966 with an architectural degree, Mace strayed from traditional design to focus on “universal design.” He aimed to design architecture that accommodated all people, regardless of physical ability, while still offering a desirable aesthetic.

Principles of Universal Design

Following are the Principles of Universal Design (definitions and examples retrieved from ncsu.edu; also, visit the site for each principle’s guidelines).

Image: Sensor-Manipulated Powered Doors

1. Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
   1. Sensor-manipulated powered doors
   2. Amalgamated, dispersed, and adaptable seating in public spaces, like theaters

2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
   1. Scissors designed for right or left-handed users
   2. An ATM having visual, tactile (braille), and audible functions

Image: Escalators in a Public Space

3. Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
   1. An escalator or moving sidewalk (like in airports)
   2. Instructional manual with just images
4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
   1. Tactile, visual, and auditory cues on thermostats
   2. Redundant cueing in public transit stations

Image: Double-cut car Key for easier insertion into the lock

5. Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
   1. An “undo” feature in computer software, like in a notepad
   2. A double-cut car key that is easily inserted either way
6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently, comfortably, and with minimal fatigue.
   1. Lever handles on doors
   2. Touch lamps
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space are provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.
   1. Controls on the front of appliances and clear floor space around mailboxes, dumpsters, etc.
   2. Wide gates at transit stations

With motivation guiding his vision, in 1989, Mace established The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University, which carried a mission “to improve the quality and availability of housing for people with disabilities, including disabilities that result from aging.”  This mission statement and more information can be read at design.ncsu.edu.

Additionally, because of Mace’s astounding accomplishments, he paved the way for federal regulations like the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Room by Room

With all of the above examples in mind, it is now easier to approach UD Standards whether your plans are for a new home or remodel. Even if no one in your home currently needs these accommodations, it will help with aging-in-place, people who may visit your home; and resale. However, some of the ideas help with simple housekeeping, navigation through the home, and general ease of living.

Image: Blue Tahoe Polished Quartzite Shower Wall & CS-Deep Blue Honed Rhomboid Mesh Marble Shower Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Outdoor Universal Design

Universal Design for outdoor spaces eliminates steps and steep slopes; keeps walkways a minimum of 36” wide; and uses surface material that will help minimize slips and falls.

R11 Anti-Slip Finish Tile and Pavers provide versatility to your design with different aesthetics while offering a unique grip on the surface. Areas prone to water and moisture can be incredibly slippery when not using the proper material. R11 Anti-Slip Finish tile makes for a safe, practical, and functional aesthetic on patios, decks, and pool areas. While this finish is a great exterior flooring option, many of our tile series that offer it are also available in the standard finish, which can also be used within the home to maintain a cohesive appearance between your outdoor and indoor spaces.

Image: Pietra Italia White 24×48 Large Format  Wall, and Bench Tile, Chevron Silver Polished Mesh Accent Wall Tile, & Pietra Italia White 24×48 Custom Cut Floor Tile with R11 Anti-Slip Finish from Arizona Tile

Exterior Cladding can make your outside spaces radiate beauty. From natural stone to porcelain tile, your outside area can become the oasis of your dreams. Some exterior products for cladding and/or flooring include:

Tivoli – Porcelain tile that offers a natural travertine appearance with exceptional ease of maintenance.

Image: Pietra Italia Beige 12″ x 24″ & 24″ x 48″ Large-Format Porcelain Fireplace Surround from Arizona Tile

Pietra Italia – Porcelain tile that emulates limestone and offers a clean, natural stone appearance in any environment. This is a versatile option for any cladding application, indoors or outdoors.

Calacatta Umber Honed – A clean, white marble with darker veins. A beautiful natural stone for interior walls.

Ankara – As a natural stone, this travertine offers a beige color with lovely variation from its natural composition and can be used for exterior cladding.

Entryways

Universal Design for entryways maintains a doorway width of at least 36”; easy-to-operate door locks; lever-style door handles; good lighting; lack of a threshold; and ample foyer space. Some products to welcome you and guests into your home:

Porcelain and ceramic tile make day-to-day living so simple with the minimal amount of maintenance required. Basic sweeping and general mopping are all that’s needed to keep the tile looking lovely for a lifetime. It is also incredibly durable, thus making it a good product for high-traffic entryways. Colors, shapes, and sizes are plentiful, so you’ll find the perfect tile.

Image: Taj Mahal Quartzite Wall & Ankara Filled & Honed 18×18 Floor Tile

Kitchen

The kitchen is the most used space in a home, so making this accessible will be key. You’ll want to create a space that’s maneuverable for people of all abilities and ages has rounded counter edges; has easily accessible appliance controls; is designed with pull-out shelves, lazy-susan, and an accessible pantry and has motion-sensor or lever-style faucet. There are a lot of options for modifications within a kitchen to incorporate universal design,  these are just some beginning options. Products to make your kitchen dazzle are:

Blue Tahoe – Resembling marble in appearance but much harder and more durable, Blue Tahoe quartzite is available in both a polished and satin finish, showcases a blue-toned, silver background with grey veining and areas of white throughout and  can be used for interior countertops.

Taj Mahal – Another quartzite with much durability and a stunning display is Taj Mahal. Resembling Italian Calacatta marbles, this white and beige slab will look stunning on any interior countertop surface.

Deep Blue – Of the Completa Series, and with a wide range of recommended uses, Deep Blue is a rich blue marble, displaying white details throughout. Its striking blue will make a statement of peace, comfort, relaxation, and beauty.

Image: Sky Blue Honed 12×24 Large Format Marble Wet Room Wall Tile & Flash White 3×12 Ceramic Wet Room Shower Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

Bathroom

In this wet-prone space, make sure accessibility and safety are the main focus. It is helpful to have ample space for maneuvering; a walk-in shower without a threshold or a wet room; a large enough shower for proper accommodations of mobility aids; adjustable-height, hand-held showerhead; grab bars; appropriate toilet seat height; rounded countertop edges; and single-lever handle for all faucets—tub, shower, and sink. While there is a lot of planning that goes into the bathroom, our products will make the aesthetic component simple, especially these marble marvels.

CS-Sky Blue – Part of the Completa Series, CS-Sky Blue marble is faint blue with subtle white detail. With its luxurious appeal, one of these 13 shapes and sizes will turn a bathroom into an oasis.

Sky Blue – Same as the previous product, except this selection comes in 4×16 and 12×24 tile. Whether you want some or most of the bathroom in Sky Blue, its stunning aesthetics, in any of its shapes and sizes, will leave you in colorful bliss.

Chevron – Love Sky Blue but want to add some variety? Chevron is offered in six colors that create wonderful accents to other tile or on its own.

Image: Shibusa Bianco 24×48 Porcelain Large Format Shower Wall Tile, Shibusa Bianco Basketweave 2×2 Mesh Floor & Niche Tile, & Oxide Quartz Bench from Arizona Tile

Reference

Please refer to guidelines, standards, and checklists when creating a Universal Design. This will ensure proper and thorough application. Even if you can’t meet all the standards in your Universal Design home plans, any features you can add will help.

When you’re ready for product selection, visit an Arizona Tile store or slab yard to see our products in person! Check out our Just Imagine – Tile and Slab Visualizer which is a helpful tool that offers a visual guide for your design. If you have product questions, please reach out!