We’re not young forever. Think about your home with generations in mind.

When it comes to redecorating, renovating or designing a home, personal space, needs and tastes vary from person to person.

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“The concept of ‘universal design,’ which strives to make living and work spaces as usable as possible for as many different kinds of people as possible, might just be the design philosophy that will bring us all together,” says Lynn Schrage, a design expert with The Kohler Store.

Universal design’s aim is to ensure that products and places are as usable as possible by all people, regardless of the person’s age or abilities.

Think “usability” by everyone from your toddler to your grandparents, athletic types to a person in a wheelchair.

If you’re undertaking even a modest home improvement project, it’s easy to incorporate universal features into your living space.

In the bath
Shower floors should feature a slip-resistant surface. Temperature controls for the shower should be placed for easy access from outside the shower and should be digital controls or levers that are easy to adjust with soapy hands. Toilet modifications should work for the oldest and youngest users.
 
In the closet
Closets are among the most used and underappreciated areas of a home. When applying the principles of universal design to your closet space, you’ll want to create storage solutions that minimize bending motions and put important items within easy reach of users of varying heights and mobility.

In the kitchen
Your kitchen has one or two distinct work zones including the cooking range, sink and refrigeration areas. Ideally, multiple work zones should be compact and serve different needs from cooking to preparation to cleanup. They should be suitable for users of varying height and ability.

To maximize your sink’s usability, choose a shallow one that’s easy to reach into, or a sink that offers built-in wet surfaces at different heights to reduce back strain.

Consider cabinetry modifications as simple as pullout storage shelves, or more practical ones like “appliance garages” that house appliances and can easily slide out for use.

In the kids’ rooms
Kids’ ideas for their rooms might seem crazy to parents, but there are ways to allow children to offer input. If your child likes to draw, help hang some of his or her own creations on the wall. Put up a corkboard that can be customized by your child. They can post stickers, pictures and more while keeping the wall free of tape and thumbtacks. Get your child’s input on color, but keep in mind that youngsters’ minds can change often.

— GateHouse News Service