Renovating with the Unexpected in Mind

By Cara Godwin

Accessibility is often associated with permanent disability or aging in place, something many people view as a design consideration for someone else or for a much later stage of life. But temporary mobility changes caused by injury, surgery or other life events may be more common than most people realize.

In those moments, the home either works for them or it doesn’t. That reality is shaping how architects and designers approach projects by encouraging choices that build in adaptability from the start rather than requiring costly, disruptive changes down the road.

One size does not fit all
One of the most persistent misconceptions is the belief that there is one accessible design solution. If someone knows a person with a disability who can function in a space a certain way, they often feel the job is done. But the more time spent designing for a range of users, the more it becomes clear there is no one-size-fits-all. The accessibility rules are the bare minimum, and meeting them does not mean all users will easily use the space.

There’s also a persistent assumption that accessible design comes at the expense of aesthetics. In practice, we’ve seen that narrative flip. Often, the higher-end designs are more accessible when people tend to assume the opposite. When accessibility is considered from the beginning of a renovation rather than treated as an afterthought, the result tends to be spaces that are both more functional and more beautiful. A separate cooktop and wall oven, for example, can make for a more accessible kitchen and a more refined one. Counter-depth appliances are another straightforward choice that improves both reach range and visual cohesion.

Decisions that are easily overlooked
The smallest decisions are often the easiest to overlook. We find ourselves spending the most time on the overlooked details and the ones that compound over a lifetime of use.

Take the toilet paper holder, for example. Mounting it on the wall and closer to the front of the toilet rather than on the side of the vanity is a minor detail that makes a meaningful difference when reaching back is challenging. Electrical outlet placement is another area consistently pushed for more intentional thinking: in bathrooms, particularly when there’s a linen between the lavatory and side wall; in kitchens, especially in corners and around front-control ranges and refrigerators that extend considerably past the countertop. If an appliance sticks out 10 inches past the counter, the counters on either side lose their full reach range; outlets above them may become effectively inaccessible.

In the bathroom, showers are where the ‘one size fits all’ myth breaks down most clearly. A single fixed showerhead can’t really serve both a tall standing user and a seated user comfortably – the height and angle that works for one rarely works for the other, whether that need is permanent or temporary, like recovering from surgery. For households that need to accommodate a wide range of heights and abilities, pair a tall fixed showerhead with an adjustable handheld shower and a diverter between the two. It’s a small addition that dramatically expands who can comfortably use the space.

The kitchen involves some of the most consequential trade-offs. Counter height is a good example. The 34-inch maximum required for wheelchair users can be less comfortable for taller people, and lower surfaces can become harder to see as eyesight changes with age. Where possible, we raise the option of varying counter heights within a single kitchen – a higher section for some tasks, a lower section for others. We’re also consistent advocates for drawers over lower cabinets, particularly in accessible kitchens. Drawers over the work surface allow utensils and tools to be easily reached and improve the usability of the kitchen.

Future-proofing involves both structural decisions and finish decisions, and knowing which is which matters. Room dimensions and doorway widths are structural and largely permanent. Finishes offer more flexibility. For example, a stacked washer/dryer could be replaced with a combination unit if reach becomes a problem; carpet with thick padding underneath, exhausting for a manual wheelchair user, can be swapped for harder flooring. The goal is to be intentional about decisions that can’t easily be undone and leave room to adjust the ones that can.

Where the industry is heading
While product standards still have room to grow, the aesthetics of accessible products are improving. More decorative grab bars and wooden shower benches are entering the market, details that feel like considered design choices rather than institutional concessions. For homeowners who want to age in place without feeling like they’re losing independence, that distinction matters enormously. Because most accessibility standards don’t apply to single-family residential in the first place, we don’t expect major regulatory change there. The more meaningful shift is likely to be cultural – and we’re hopeful that better-designed products will help drive it. When accessible choices carry no aesthetic or functional downside, they stop being a special accommodation and simply become good design.

For those working on residential renovations, the most valuable thing we can do is help clients think through how long they expect to live in the space and what would happen if they or someone in their family needed a mobility device, even temporarily. The conversation starts with distinguishing between what can be modified later versus what can’t be easily changed once the work is done. Those are the decisions worth getting right the first time. A few thoughtful choices made early in the process can mean one less thing on a client’s list when it matters most.

Cara Godwin is practice manager, principal and architect at Ankrom Moisan.