Universal Design Services in Everett, WA
Universal design is simply thoughtful design that makes your home easier and more comfortable for everyone to use, no matter their age or ability. It’s not just about aging in place; it’s about creating spaces that work better for real life.
These features are especially helpful if you want to:
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- Stay in your home comfortably as you grow older
- Support a loved one with mobility needs
- Make everyday spaces safer and more usable for a multigenerational household, from kids to grandparents
At VanderBeken Remodel, we help you design your home to support how you live today, and how your needs may change over time. Through universal design best practices, your home becomes safer, more comfortable, and easier to use, all while still feeling beautiful and personal in Everett.
Why Universal Design Is a Smart Choice for Everett Homeowners
Your home should support how you live today and how your needs may change over time. That’s why your project is guided by Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) working alongside an in-house team of designers and construction experts. Together, they create spaces that make daily routines easier while supporting your long-term comfort and independence.
Universal design features are thoughtfully integrated so your home remains beautiful as well as functional. Nothing feels clinical or out of place. It simply works better for you.
Even in a single room, small design decisions can make a big difference in comfort, safety, and ease of use for everyone in your home. From hallways to entryways and even the parking area, universal design can be woven throughout your home to support your comfort, safety, and independence every day.
Universal Kitchen Design
As your design-build partner, your kitchen is tailored to support your independence when preparing, storing, and cooking food through universal design principles. This can include:
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- Easy-access layouts for those using mobility aids, with ample turning space and under-counter clearance at prep zones
- Sinks designed for safe, comfortable use from a seated position, including side-mounted faucets for easier reach
- Induction cooktops that reduce the risk of burns
- Pot fillers above the cooktop to minimize trips between the sink and stove
- Adjustable-height counters to reduce bending and reaching for people of all heights
Universal Bedroom Design
Your bedroom should be a place where you can truly relax, sleep comfortably, and move around with ease. Universal design features help make the space more supportive and practical without sacrificing comfort. That can include:
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- A main-floor bedroom location to reduce the need to use stairs
- Clear floor space at the foot of the bed for easier movement
- Adequate turning space beside the bed to accommodate mobility aids
- Closet openings designed for easier access when storing or retrieving items
- Lighting inside closets to improve visibility and help prevent accidents
Universal Bathroom Design
Your bathroom should be comfortable and usable for everyone in your home, no matter their mobility level. Universal design in bathroom architecture focuses on creating a space where daily routines can be done safely, easily, and with dignity. That may include:
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- Adequate turning space for those using mobility aids, along with strategically placed grab bars for support
- Proper floor space and toilet height to allow safe, stable transfers from a mobility device
- Double-sink layouts with varied counter heights to serve users of different ages and needs
- Walk-in showers with no step or curb at the entrance, making access easier for those who struggle with steps
- Flooring with smaller tiles and more grout lines to improve traction and reduce the risk of slipping
Innovative Solutions Designed Around Your Unique Home
Every home has its quirks, and your space is no exception. That’s why your project is approached with creative solutions tailored to the unique structure and challenges of your home, just like the many distinctive projects we’ve completed for other homeowners.
Why Now Is a Great Time to Plan Universal Design Updates
When your home starts to feel harder to move through, or no longer supports your daily routines the way it used to, it may be a good time to think about universal design. With thoughtful updates and planning, universal design makes your home easier to use, more intuitive, and more welcoming for everyone who lives there.
Here are some of the reasons homeowners choose to incorporate universal design into their remodels:
Eliminate Friction in Your Daily Routine
Universal design removes everyday obstacles that slow you down. With accessible design and intentional interior architecture, your home works with you, making daily tasks easier, safer, and more efficient.
Transform Your Home in Both Form and Function
With the right design guidance, your home can look beautiful while working better for the way you live. Universal design helps you improve both form and function, creating spaces that support real-life needs without ever feeling clinical or compromised.
Support Independence for Every Family Member
Universal design helps your home work comfortably for everyone who lives there, no matter their age, ability, or mobility level. With thoughtful, inclusive design features, your space can support daily routines more easily, giving your household greater confidence, comfort, and independence.
Improve Your Quality of Life
A home designed with universal access design reduces stress, increases comfort, and enhances safety. When your space adapts to you, daily life feels more enjoyable and empowering.
Increase Long-Term Home Value
Homes that incorporate universal design services in Everett, WA, are increasingly attractive to buyers. Quality home improvement and accessibility-focused design can help future-proof your home while adding lasting resale value.
How Our Universal Design Services Play a Part in Our Design-Build Process
At VanderBeken Remodel, we create universal kitchen design solutions that support independence, safety, and comfort for every stage of life.
Understanding Your Daily Routine
Your first step with VanderBeken Remodel is a conversation about how your home feels to live in right now—what’s working, what’s frustrating, and what you’d like to improve to make everyday life easier for everyone in your household.
If it feels like a good fit, the next step in our process is an in-home visit in your Everett home. During this time, our design team thoughtfully assesses how your spaces are used day to day, so your design solutions are shaped around real routines, real needs, and the way you truly live.
Tailoring Accessibility Designs for Your Home
Once your space has been carefully measured and mapped, your design takes shape with solutions tailored to how you live, guided by trusted universal design principles. Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) are part of the team, helping ensure your design supports comfort, safety, and long-term ease of use.
During this phase, you’ll review schematic drawings and 3D renderings so you can see how everything will look and work. Your feedback shapes the details along the way. You’ll also explore more than one universal design option, each clearly explained with scope and estimated cost, so you can make confident decisions about what fits your home and goals.
Transforming Your Home Toward Accessibility
Once you choose the design that feels right, your ideas are turned into detailed plans and technical drawings so everything is built with accuracy and clarity. A dedicated Project Manager guides your remodel, keeping you informed and supported from start to finish.
And support doesn’t stop when construction wraps up. After your remodel is complete, you’ll have follow-up check-ins at 90 days and 12 months, along with a two-year warranty. That way, you can feel confident knowing your home, and your relationship with the team, is built to last.
FAQs About Our Universal Design Services
What Is the Difference Between Accessibility and Universal Design?
While universal design is inherently accessible, accessible design is not always universal.
Universal design focuses on creating spaces that can be comfortably used by anyone, regardless of age, ability, or mobility, by applying proven universal design principles and inclusive design methods.
Accessible design is typically created to meet the needs of a specific person or condition. Universal design takes a broader approach, helping your home feel comfortable and easy to use for everyone who lives there.
That’s why VanderBeken Remodel offers universal design services in Everett, WA. Every space in your home can be thoughtfully planned to support confidence, comfort, and ease, not just today, but for the years ahead.
Is Universal Design Remodeling More Expensive?
Universal design remodeling is often a cost-effective alternative to long-term care facilities. As of 2026, the average monthly cost of a semi-private nursing home room in Washington is approximately $13,488 per month, while private rooms average $14,683 per month.
By investing in universal design for homes, homeowners can age in place safely and comfortably. Thoughtful accessibility features, such as grab bars and step-free entries, support independence and may delay or eliminate the need for institutional care.
While some upfront remodeling costs may be higher, these improvements often increase home value, enhance daily living, and provide long-term peace of mind. Our Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) bring the expertise needed to tailor remodeling services that align with your goals, budget, and lifestyle.
Which Is Better for an Older Adult: A Separate In-Law Suite or a Main-Floor Primary Suite?
However, if supervision or moderate assistance is required, a main-floor primary suite designed with universal design architecture can be the better choice. A universally designed main-floor suite allows an older adult to live comfortably with greater independence while maintaining proximity to caregivers when needed.
Our architectural designers help homeowners evaluate both options, ensuring the chosen layout supports safety, accessibility, and long-term quality of life.