blog.

Combating Social Isolation Requires a True System of Care

This wide-ranging article points out many of the causes and effects of social isolation. It has, of course, become much worse over the...

Top 5 Tips to Improve Home Safety

Here are a few tips for steps you can actually take to make some improvements in your home environment, even during this quarantine...

Top 5 Tips to Improve Home Safety

Here are a few tips for steps you can actually take to make some improvements in your home environment, even during this quarantine...

Social Distancing, Our New Normal

As many of us stay safe at home or shelter in place, we might be getting too much of each other, or maybe not enough. For those who are...

Who doesn't love a good pocket? (door)

Last month's reader poll asked, "Pocket Doors, Yay or Nay?" We are delighted to see that you had experience with pocket doors and ideas...

Improving on Code Requirements

*This post is sponsored by Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. Universal design is defined by the idea that the design of products and...

Non-residential

Growing Older at Home

We are big supporters of social connectivity and supports for everybody in their home, and it is especially important as we grow older....

Making a Brownstone Accessible, Step by Step

Good ideas from this article include: 1. At a certain point, downsizing might be beneficial and viable. 2. Consider repurposing a...

Accessible Housing

Which Celeb Bathroom Are You?

We all wish we can live like the rich and famous, don’t we? It would be incredible to have the budget to makeover our bathrooms like...

Renting over buying - Top 5 reasons

We acknowledge that some 50+ aged households may opt for apartment living, in part as an affordable option compared to LIfe Care...

Home Technology and Devices

Remodels and Home Automation

We really like home tech as one part of the support infrastructure in older households' dwellings. A lot of the focus that we see is on...

Moving Towards the Universally Designed Home: Part 3

The Turning Diameter of 1.5 Meters Was Retained, But Not for All Dwellings Research at the Norwegian Universal Design Research Laboratory...

Moving Towards the Universally Designed Home: Part 2

Universal Design of Dwellings Required in the 2010 Version of The National Building Regulations After the turn of the century, the...

Moving Towards the Universally Designed Home: Part 1

The private dwelling is in many respects the last frontier for the general regulation of universal design in buildings. There is an...

What is the ‘Missing Middle’ of Housing?

We often highlight the need for housing for "Missing Middle" aging households, as long it includes universal home design. Missing middle...

Missing Middle Homes

BLD Renovations

Two more in-process BLD projects, both renovations. One is a kitchen renovation in Missouri. The other image is an existing bathroom that...

Property Brothers' Design Tips for a Home You'll Never Have to Leave

AARP has long been an important advocate for better home design, better home features, and helpful products that can maintain our...

Supporting BLD on the go with Amazon Smile

We are so grateful to all those who have signed up with Amazon Smile and chosen to support UDI and BLD initiatives. We wanted to pass...

Aging in place with attractive designs

This article points out one dilemma faced by older households. Only some can afford the $261,000 remodel that is featured here. But...