Universal Design Isn’t What You Think: 5 Myths, Busted

“We’ll worry about that later.”

I’ve heard that line more times than I can count—from clients in their 40s, couples in their 60s, even people planning “forever homes.” Nobody wants to picture themselves getting older, tweaking a knee, or navigating life after an accident. But later always comes. And when it does, it usually costs more to fix than it would’ve cost to plan for in the first place.

That’s what Universal Design is about. It’s not some sterile “ADA thing” with chrome grab bars and wide halls you’ll never use. It’s just good design for everyone. And while it is easier to implement on new construction, if you know how it works, you can design it into remodels, too. Often is often overlooked because of the same old myths that come up over and over again; so let’s bust them.

TL;DR—The takeaway

You can call it Universal Design, or you can just call it good remodeling. When your house works for toddlers, teenagers, parents, and grandparents—when all can all use it without thinking—that’s a good design. 

Myth 1: Universal Design is for people with disabilities or the elderly

Nope. Universal Design is for all ages and abilities. I like to say it’s for toddlers with sticky hands, for my 104-year-old grandmother when she visits, and for me, the day I got a little too cocky racing my 11-year-old and ended up in a knee brace for five weeks.

When you start looking at your house through different eyes, you realize how quickly everyday things can become obstacles: the threshold at the front door, the cup you can’t see on the countertop, the narrow path in the kitchen. Design that works for everybody makes life easier.

Myth 2: It’s more expensive

More expensive than what? If you wait until “later,” that’s when it gets expensive. But if you plan—the framing, blocking, the right materials—it’s no harder or pricier than standard remodeling. It’s just better planned.

One example: we add blocking in every shower and around every toilet. Even if the client swears up and down they’ll “never need grab bars,” we still put the blocking in. Later, if something happens, they can install bars anywhere without opening the walls.

Same goes for the curb. If we can, we plan for curbless showers during framing. If the joists fight us, we still aim for a low curb—two inches beats four any day. And if you’re building new, carve out a six-by-six stacked closet for a future elevator. Right now, it’s just storage. Later, it could be the thing that lets you stay in your home.

"Design that works for everybody makes life easier."

Myth 3: Universal design is ugly

It used to be. Back in the day, it was all hospital chrome and photos of wheelchairs. Not anymore.

Manufacturers realized designers like options. Grab bars now come in satin brass and matte black. They have angles and curves, not just institutional pipes. Wall-hung toilets look sleek and let you choose the height. Curbless showers with fold-up teak seats feel more spa-like than clinical. The best part is that few even realize these are “accessibility” features—they just look high-end.

Myth 4: It requires more space

Wrong. It requires smarter space.

I work in California, where lots are small and square footage is tight. We do Murphy beds in yoga rooms, kitchens with counters at different heights, and walkways wide enough for people to pass each other without doing the sideways shuffle. It’s not about blowing out walls—it’s about planning circulation and storage, so every inch actually works.

In kitchens, we use pull-down uppers, pull-out pantry drawers, hideaway ladders that flip out of a 1½-inch filler—all of these make spaces usable for kids, guests, and anyone who doesn’t want to drag a step stool around.

"You’re either planning ahead or you’re paying for it later."

Myth 5: We don’t need to think about that now

Yes, you do. Everyone ages. Everyone gets hurt sometimes. And everyone’s lifestyle changes.

I learned this the hard way. After that little “victory” over my son, every threshold, every shower entry, even cooking dinner, became twice as hard with a brace. Imagine if I’d been dealing with something permanent.

That’s why we talk to clients about no-step paths from the driveway to the door, ≤½-inch thresholds inside, and indoor–outdoor transitions that don’t turn into tripping hazards. We plan shower controls where you can reach them from the seat and from outside the glass. Nobody wants to get blasted with cold water trying to turn it on.

The point is simple: you’re either planning ahead or you’re paying for it later. And honestly? If you’ve made it through this article, you’re about 15 minutes older. We should all plan like it.

Kitchen-Specific Design Ideas

Universal Design shouldn’t scream “special needs,” it should whisper “luxury.” In my own projects, I’ve seen clients fall in love with things they didn’t even know they needed:

• A microwave drawer you can see into without spilling soup.
• Refrigerator drawers that kids can use on their own.
• Touchless faucets that feel like magic the first time your hands are covered in dough.
• Induction cooktops that are safer, cleaner, and faster