Raleigh NC New Homes: Communities, Lots and Land in the Triangle

How to Get into Your Universal Design* home

Entrance, Walkways, and Lighting Ideas that make Coming Home Easier

Your new Universal Design home design begins with thoughtful entrances, walkways and lighting.  Whether you're considering a new home in a 55+ community, or a fabulous home on acreage of your own, here's what you need to know - and what else to ask about from your accessible home builder:

Entrance

The entrance to your Universal Design home is where it all begins.  Before you get started with your Universal Design home, think about including some or all of these Universal Design features.

• At least one entrance that doesn't require steps
  • Porch floor, stoop, or landing should be at the same level as the floor inside the home
• Exterior door at least 35 inches wide
  • Eye-level peephole for adults, children, and wheelchair access
  • Lever or D-shaped door handle
  • Easy-to-reach, lighted doorbell or intercom
• Flat threshold
• No slip flooring
• Large, simple typeface house numbers 60 inches off the floor
• Overhead covering (roof extension, overhang or awning)
• Chair, small table, bench or shelf by the door

Walkways

Don't forget about how you and your guests will actually gain access to your new Universal Design home!  Universal Design concepts extend to the outdoors, and should include easy ways to get to that fabulous entrance.

• Textured
• Nonslip
• Level or gradually sloping
• 36 inches to 66 inches wide
• Concrete or other solid surface material
• Ramps
  • No more than one inch rise for each 12 inches in length
  • Five foot landing at top and wherever ramp changes direction
  • Handrails on both sides that can be gripped while sitting and standing

Lighting

Lighting can be easy to overlook.  But a few small additions can really brighten your new Universal Design home. 

• Small, low-voltage lights that illuminate walkways, with extra lights as elevation changes
• Covered light fixtures above eye level at entrance to minimize glare
• Illuminate door handle, lockset and house numbers 

Other Easy Access Ideas

Ask your accessible home builder about some of these other popular Universal Design ideas.

• Placement of the home that does not require ramps
• Several fixtures such as scones or hanging lanterns
• Recess lights in the underside of eaves or roof overhang
• Perimeter area spotlights directed at walls, dark corners and garages
• Motion or light sensor that switches on and off automatically
• Door locks that are easy to operate, such as keyless locks with remote control, push-button or keypad
• Intercom system-connected to phone or stand-alone
• Passive or active solar heating (e.g., south facing windows)

*Universal Design (UD) (encompassing "aging in place," "accessible living," and "barrier-free living") is an approach to building that makes everyday actions easier.

Universal Design meets the needs of the present and the future.

Consider universal design concepts for your next home - universal design is most cost efficient and effective when incorporated directly into your new home, and is increasingly popular in Raleigh 55+ communities.

Read More Universal Design and Accessible Home Topics:

Specially Adapted Housing for Veterans and Servicemembers - How to Get Started

How to Get Started Looking for an Accessible Home

Door and Hallway Requirements for Accessible Homes

What is Universal Design, and how does it make living easier?

Laundry Rooms Designed for Easy Use

Top 10 Kitchen Tips - Universal Design

One Story Floor Plans

Featured Homes - Virtual Tours

Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area 

Stanton Homes makes it easy!  We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations, with a focus on new custom homes in the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom design build options available too!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more about new homes in the Raleigh area today. 

Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2011.  Unauthorized use is not permitted.  Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.  Please note:  all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date.  Information subject to change.  Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of  any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build.  Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions.  Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan.  Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area.  No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.  

New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Choices for Vanities and Countertops

As part of the 50+ Housing Council in Raleigh, one of the things we look forward to is sharing really cool ideas from new home builders and interior design experts who are willing to share some of their secrets and most popular features.

Our most requested universal design ideas make your bathroom safe, user-friendly, functional, and beautiful - through built-in convenience that costs a lot less when you plan ahead.

Countertop Height - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

How high should a bathroom countertop be for maximum efficiency and functionality?  

Standard vanity cabinets are about 32" high.  At Stanton Homes, we use 36" high vanities, which are optimum height for standing in front of the countertop.

But the most functional countertop height may actually be a combination of heights.  Think about including a standard or dropped height "seating" section at the vanity if at all possible.  A comfortable chair specifically for the bathroom can be perfect for applying make up or completing other tasks. 

The seating area should have leg room of 27 to 29 inches, and be 32 to 36 inches wide. 

If the seating area is at a sink, the piping should be set as far to the rear as possible and covered with a protective panel.

Countertop Choices - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Rounded edges are user friendly.  Think about traditional Formica tops with their sharp right angles.  Today's options include cultured marble, solid surface, and granite, all of which can offer nicely rounded edges.

Consider your color selections.  Countertops should contrast with cabinetry and wall colors, very helpful for anyone with limited vision.

How easy are your countertops to clean?  Any countertop with an integral sink (like cultured marble) eliminates seams and makes cleaning easier.  

Granite is beautiful, but keep in mind that it is porous and will need to be sealed.

Vanity Space and Storage - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Do you have room for the curling iron, electric razor, and other items?  Make sure there's enough countertop space (and outlets) to safely keep often-used personal items on the countertop, but out of the way. 

For a large vanity, you might even consider a stack of upper cabinetry, or an appliance garage. 

Include an outlet inside the cabinet or garage, and it's easy to charge electric razors when not in use, but out of sight. 

Consider the amount of storage space, especially if one section of countertop is accessible for seated users.  It might make sense to include a set of drawers instead of a large cabinet, for ease of use.

Vanity Door Hardware - New Home Universal Design in the Bathroom

Choose cabinet and drawer hardware that's easy to grasp and pull.

Large "C" or "D" shaped handles work great, and can add interest and contrast to your vanity cabinets.

Universal Design Homes are available in many great places to live, including Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Cary, Chapel Hill, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Harnett County, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Pittsboro, Siler City, Silk Hope, Rolesville, Wake Forest, and Wendell.

You might also be interested in these related Raleigh new home trend articles:

Accessible Homes - Design and Features

What is Universal Design?  Easy Living Homes

Specially Adapted Housing - Grants for Veterans

Building a Home with the VA's Specially Adapted Housing Program

Mother In Law Suite Homes - Floor Plans and Ideas

Virtual Tours - See This Week's Most Exceptional Homes

"Stanton Homes for Heroes" Military Discounts

Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area 

Stanton Homes makes it easy!  We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations, with a focus on new custom homes in the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom design build options available too!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more about new homes in the Raleigh area today. 

Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2011.  Unauthorized use is not permitted.  Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.  Please note:  all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date.  Information subject to change.  Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of  any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build.  Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions.  Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan.  Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area.  No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.  

Laundry Room Universal Design Ideas

Making the Laundry Room Enjoyable for Everyone

As founding members of the 50+ Housing Council in Raleigh, we enjoy sharing universal design ideas with top new home builders and interior designers in the Raleigh area. 

The laundry room can be a forgotten area of the home - but here are some universal design ideas that will make your new home's laundry room enjoyable and easy to use, no matter who wants to help with the wash.

Laundry Spaces - Easy to Use Laundry Rooms

A universal design home is safe, easy to access, and comfortable.  Whether you're planning to be in your new Raleigh home for a few years or for the rest of your life, implementing universal design at the beginning of the process will save money and give you a more versatile home, for everyone to enjoy.

Where is the Laundry Room?

The location of the laundry room should be carefully considered.  In a two story home, it can be very convenient to have the laundry room upstairs, close to the bedrooms for easy access.

But in a main floor master suite home, it may be best to keep the laundry room on the first floor, and eliminate the need to climb the stairs multiple times on laundry day.   

Is the Laundry Room Big Enough? 

A universal design laundry room should ideally be large enough so that anyone can use it, with or without a mobility device. 

Plan to include wide doorways (ideally 36"), and a 5 foot diameter open space in front of the washer and dryer if at all possible.   In the plan to the right, it's easy to substitute a 4" wider doorway for the 2-8 door drawn.

Not enough room for a large laundry?  A hallway closet laundry can still work well, if the hallway is wide enough, and the closet doors should open in a way that still allows access and room to move. 

What about the Washer and Dryer?

Front loading washers and dryers are becoming much more popular.  Front loaders can easily be loaded and unloaded while seated.

But a standard front loading washer and dryer may still require excessive bending. 

Consider having your builder add a 12"-15" platform under the machines, or purchase models that have matching pedastals to raise them above the floor.  This Whirlpool set in red has optional matching pedastals.

Room to Fold in the Laundry Room

Many of today's laundry rooms are large enough to include a small countertop area.  Instead of installing a standard height countertop, choose a 28 to 30 inch height countertop, with knee space below.  You'll be able to pull up a chair to fold and sort, instead of standing.

Laundry Room Lighting

Laundry rooms don't often include windows, so think carefully about the amount of light you'll need. 

Consider motion detector lighting, for when you enter and leave with your arms full.   In a room with workstations, think about adding under cabinet lighting or other supplemental lighting.  Flexible track lighting can be another great accent, particularly in a multiple use room.

Laundry Room Flooring

Choose a flooring that's easy to clean, and water resistant.  Cork flooring can be considerably more expensive than most standard types of flooring, but a laundry room is a comparitively small space and may be a great room to consider for cork.  Cork is comfortable to stand on when ironing, and naturally water resistant. 

A little planning ahead can make a BIG difference.  Look for a new home builder experienced with universal design, and willing to be flexible enough to meet your goals.    More in Stanton Homes' special "Universal Design" series coming soon!

Universal Design meets the needs of the present and the future. 

Consider universal design concepts for your next home - universal design is most cost efficient and effective when incorporated directly into your new home.  

Thinking of building a new home in the Raleigh area? There are many great places to live near Raleigh, including Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Cary, Chatham County, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Lillington, Morrisville, Pittsboro, Rolesville, Sanford, Siler City, Silk Hope, Wake Forest, and Wendell.

Read More Related Topics:

Universal Design in the Kitchen - Top 10 Questions to Ask

Specially Adapted Housing for Veterans and Servicemembers - How to Get Started

ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Homes

One Story Floor Plans

Formal Dining Rooms - Going Away, or Here to Stay?

Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips

Top 5 Ways to Save Money - Family Room

Built in Bookcases - Ideas and Trends

Featured Homes - Virtual Tours

Energy Wise - Find Out How to Save 50 to 70% on Heating and Cooling Costs!

Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area 

Stanton Homes makes it easy!  We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations, with a focus on new custom homes in the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom design build options available too!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more about new homes in the Raleigh area today. 

Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2011.  Unauthorized use is not permitted.  Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.  Please note:  all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date.  Information subject to change.  Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of  any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build.  Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions.  Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan.  Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area.  No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.