Aging-in-Place Remodeling: Accessibility Features That Look Great

Why Aging in Place Is the Smartest Remodel You Can Plan

Most homeowners think about aging-in-place remodeling after a fall, a surgery, or a diagnosis. By that point, decisions are rushed, choices are limited, and the work often looks like exactly what it is: a medical retrofit. The smarter approach is to plan ahead, integrating accessibility into your home while you still have time to make it beautiful.

The numbers tell the story. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 56% of remodelers now perform aging-in-place modification work. Seventy-three percent of those professionals report that requests for these features have significantly or somewhat increased over the past five years. Residential remodeling activity is projected to grow 3% in 2026, with aging-in-place upgrades driving a substantial portion of that increase.

The best part? The features that make a home safer and more accessible are the same features that top the wish lists of luxury homebuyers in 2026. Curbless showers, wide hallways, lever hardware, and smart lighting are not “old people modifications.” They are contemporary design elements that happen to work better for everyone. This is the core principle of universal design: creating environments that serve all people, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.

Zero-Threshold Showers: Where Safety Meets Luxury

If one feature defines aging-in-place design in 2026, it is the curbless shower. Also called a zero-threshold or barrier-free shower, this design eliminates the raised lip at the shower entry. The floor flows continuously from the bathroom into the shower enclosure, with a gentle slope directing water toward a linear drain.

Why They Matter for Accessibility

Traditional shower curbs are a leading trip hazard, especially on wet tile. A zero-threshold shower removes that risk entirely. It also provides wheelchair and walker access without requiring a separate roll-in unit. For anyone with balance concerns, knee replacements, or reduced mobility, stepping into a curbless shower is simply safer.

Why They Look Great

Curbless showers are among the most requested luxury bathroom features regardless of the homeowner’s age. They create a seamless visual plane that makes bathrooms feel larger and more open. Large-format porcelain tiles, linear drains with custom grates, frameless glass panels, and rainfall showerheads give these spaces a spa-quality aesthetic.

A high-end curbless shower installation typically costs $4,500 to $9,000 in the Bay Area. That investment adds an estimated $8,000 to $12,000 in perceived value to a primary suite, making it one of the highest-return accessibility upgrades you can make.

Wider Doorways and Hallways: Room to Move

Standard interior doorways measure 28 to 32 inches wide. That is narrow enough to block a wheelchair, create tight clearance for walkers, and make it awkward for anyone carrying laundry, groceries, or a child. Universal design calls for a minimum of 36 inches for interior doorways and 42 inches for hallways.

Widening a doorway during a remodel is relatively straightforward. If the wall is non-load-bearing, a carpenter can reframe the opening in a day. Load-bearing walls require a header or beam, which adds engineering cost but is still a manageable project. Per-doorway costs range from $300 to $2,500 depending on structural requirements.

The design benefit is immediate. Wider doorways make every room feel more open and connected. They improve traffic flow, allow furniture to move freely, and create a sense of spaciousness that smaller openings simply cannot match. Many high-end new builds now default to 36-inch interior doors as a standard specification, not as an accessibility add-on.

Grab Bars That Look Like Towel Bars

The chrome hospital grab bar bolted to a tile wall is the image most people picture when they hear “accessibility.” That image is outdated. Modern grab bars are designed to blend into bathrooms as accent hardware, and many homeowners install them as towel bars that happen to provide structural support.

Design-Forward Options

Leading fixture manufacturers now offer grab bars in every finish trending in 2026: brushed gold, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, polished nickel, and satin brass. Straight bars, angled bars, and shelf-style bars with integrated towel hooks provide support without announcing their purpose. Some designs combine a grab bar with a glass shelf, a robe hook, or a soap dish.

Placement That Works

Effective grab bar placement follows a few guidelines. Install bars at the shower entry, along the back shower wall, beside the toilet, and next to the bathtub. Mounting height should accommodate both standing grip and seated reach, typically 33 to 36 inches from the floor. Proper blocking behind the drywall is essential. If you are remodeling, have your contractor install plywood blocking in all wet-area walls so bars can be added or repositioned later without opening the wall again.

Lever-Style Handles: Small Change, Big Impact

Round doorknobs and twist-style faucet handles require grip strength and wrist rotation. For anyone with arthritis, carpal tunnel, reduced hand strength, or simply full hands, they present a daily obstacle. Lever handles solve the problem completely.

Lever door handles open with a push-down motion that requires minimal strength. They work with an elbow, the side of a hand, or even a hip when your hands are full. Single-lever faucet handles control both temperature and flow with one movement rather than requiring two separate knobs to turn.

This is perhaps the simplest aging-in-place upgrade. Replacing doorknobs with lever handles costs $15 to $80 per door, and the swap takes minutes. Upgrading to lever-style faucets during a kitchen or bathroom remodel adds minimal cost and integrates seamlessly into any design style, from traditional to ultra-modern.

Touchless and voice-activated faucets take this concept further. These options eliminate the need for any manual operation, which is a cornerstone of universal design in 2026. They also offer hygienic benefits that appeal to homeowners of every age.

First-Floor Primary Suite: The Long-Term Investment

If your home does not have a bedroom and full bathroom on the main level, your long-term livability and your resale value are both limited. Stairs become the single biggest barrier to aging in place. A first-floor primary suite eliminates that barrier entirely.

Planning the Conversion

Many Bay Area homes have the footprint to create a first-floor suite. A formal dining room, a rarely used living room, or a home office can be reconfigured into a bedroom with an adjacent accessible bathroom. Some homeowners add a small bump-out or ground-floor addition to create the space.

Key features for an accessible primary suite include a zero-threshold shower in the en-suite bathroom, 36-inch doorways, rocker-style light switches at an accessible height (44 to 48 inches from the floor), lever handles on all doors and faucets, and adequate space for wheelchair turning radius (60 inches minimum in the bathroom).

The Resale Perspective

A first-floor primary suite appeals to young families with small children, professionals who want a home office that converts to a guest room, aging parents in multigenerational households, and buyers planning to stay in their home long-term. It is one of the features that Bay Area real estate agents consistently identify as a value driver, and its absence can cap a home’s resale ceiling.

Non-Slip Flooring: Safety Without Compromise

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults over 65, and slippery flooring is a primary contributor. Choosing the right flooring materials throughout the home reduces fall risk significantly.

High-Performance Options

Textured porcelain tile offers excellent slip resistance, especially tiles rated R10 or higher on the slip-resistance scale. Large-format tiles in matte or textured finishes provide a contemporary look while minimizing both slip hazards and grout lines.

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) delivers cushioned comfort underfoot, strong slip resistance, and the look of natural wood. It is waterproof, easy to maintain, and forgiving on joints. For main living areas and bedrooms, LVP is one of the best aging-in-place flooring choices available.

Cork flooring provides natural cushioning, warmth, and slip resistance. It absorbs impact better than hardwood or tile, which reduces injury severity in the event of a fall.

What to Avoid

High-gloss hardwood, polished marble, and loose area rugs are the primary flooring risks. If you want to keep area rugs, secure them with non-slip pads and double-sided tape. Transition strips between rooms should be flush or ramped rather than raised.

Smart Home Integration: Technology That Serves Everyone

Smart home technology has moved from novelty to necessity for aging-in-place design. The devices available in 2026 add genuine safety layers while remaining intuitive and attractive.

Voice-Controlled Lighting and Climate

Voice assistants can control every light, thermostat, lock, and shade in the home. For someone with limited mobility, the ability to turn off every light from bed, adjust the thermostat without walking to the hallway, or unlock the front door for a visitor eliminates dozens of daily micro-challenges.

Circadian lighting systems automatically shift color temperature throughout the day, with bright cool light in the morning and warm dim light in the evening. This supports better sleep, reduces nighttime disorientation, and creates a more comfortable living environment.

Automated Safety Features

Smart stove sensors detect unattended cooking and shut off the burner automatically after a set period of inactivity. Water leak detectors from brands like Flo by Moen can shut off the main water line if a pipe bursts or a faucet runs too long. These features prevent the two leading causes of home emergencies among older adults.

Fall Detection and Health Monitoring

Wall-mounted radar sensors can detect falls without cameras, preserving privacy while ensuring a rapid response. Wearable devices track vital signs, medication schedules, and activity levels. Smart pill dispensers lock doses until the right time and alert caregivers if a dose is missed. These technologies allow older adults to maintain independence while giving family members peace of mind.

Cost Considerations for Bay Area Homeowners

Aging-in-place remodeling scales to fit almost any budget. Here is a general breakdown for Bay Area projects.

Budget-Friendly Modifications ($3,000 to $15,000)

• Lever handles on all doors and faucets
• Grab bars in bathrooms
• Non-slip flooring in wet areas
• Improved lighting (brighter fixtures, nightlights, motion sensors)
• Rocker light switches at accessible heights
• Handrail upgrades on stairs

Mid-Range Remodeling ($15,000 to $50,000)

• Zero-threshold shower conversion
• Comfort-height toilet
• Wider doorways (one to three openings)
• Non-slip flooring throughout main level
• Smart home lighting and thermostat system
• Kitchen pull-out shelves and accessible storage

Comprehensive Whole-Home Modification ($50,000 to $100,000+)

• First-floor primary suite with accessible bathroom
• Multiple doorway widenings
• Kitchen remodel with universal-height counters and accessible appliances
• Smart home system with voice control, automated safety, and monitoring
• Non-slip flooring throughout entire home
• Exterior modifications (ramps, handrails, pathway lighting)

These ranges reflect Bay Area labor and material costs as of 2026. Every project is different, and Custom Home provides detailed line-item estimates during the design phase so there are no surprises once construction begins.

Start the Conversation Before You Need To

The best aging-in-place remodels do not look like aging-in-place remodels. They look like thoughtful, modern homes designed for comfort and longevity. When you plan proactively, you get to choose finishes you love, phase the work into your schedule and budget, and integrate accessibility into a broader remodel that transforms your home rather than simply retrofitting it.

Whether you are planning for yourself, preparing a home for aging parents, or building a multigenerational household, Custom Home can help you design a space that is safe, beautiful, and built for the long term.

Contact Custom Home to schedule a consultation and explore how universal design can work in your home.