Working with an Interior Designer

published in Home Improvement Resource November 2007

Welcome to "designer drafts". I am delighted to be able to sit down in a comfy spot with you and share information about all things design. As you start your home improvement project you may be thinking "I don't need an interior designer, I'm a long way from accessories". Over the next several months I am going to let you in on the tricks of the trade and the benefits of using an interior designer to help with your project. Designers work with clients from the blueprint stage, to the decorating details that make your improvement project flow with your existing home.

You may be starting a home improvement project for a number of different reasons. Maybe the kids need a place to hang out in the basement, the kitchen or bathroom is outdated, or you need a place for relatives to stay. Since this issue of HIR coincides with National Aging in Place Week (Oct. 1-7th) I am going to take this opportunity to discuss improvements that make your home easier to live in, not just as we age, but throughout the lifespan. I know I've had knee surgery and cursed my 24" bathroom doorway as I navigated with crutches. Incorporating small changes can make a big difference in how a home works for you.

Let's start at the front door. Changing out knob handles with lever handles is a no-brainer. Pushing a lever handle with armloads of groceries is much easier than turning a knob. If arthritis is an issue, lever handles are a lifesaver. A no step entry is ideal, but in an existing home it can be harder to do. However, if you can minimize the threshold to less than 1/2" tall this makes your home more accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches. As a general rule, if you can make all your doorways 36" wide, do it! It gives your home an open feeling, and makes your home much easier to maneuver in.

In the kitchen there are number of changes that really help. Varied counter heights have been recommended by the National Kitchen and Bath Association for several years now. Counter heights of 30" with open space under them address the needs of people that need to sit for food preparation. In addition, standard countertops (36") can be too low for some folks, so a 42" height is helpful. Raising your dishwasher, so you don't have to bend as far to empty it, is an advantage for everyone. On my wish list for a kitchen update is sliding drawers for lower cabinet shelving.

In the bath, if you are opening up the walls anyway adding wood bracing is a great idea that allows you to add grab bars now or later. New models and finishes of grab bars are available that don't have the traditional "institution" look. Zero entry showers look wonderful and make maneuvering in and out of the tub a thing of the past. If you have room add a 15" deep bench at one end of a shower. Adding a hand held shower helps for seated bathing, but can also be helpful to wash the family pet. Again, lever handles on faucets make operation a cinch. If you are changing out a commode, add a comfort height commode - you won't regret it.

These are just a few ideas for the most used rooms in the house. The best thing is that all of the above recommendations are functional and can be done in a way that enhances the look of your home. Additional recommendations would be based on your particular needs and the needs of visitors to your home. Implementing just a few of the suggestions will make your home improvement project a real improvement for you!