Aging in Place: Custom Home Features for Long-Term Living in Indiana
By Michael Mercho ·
The concept of "aging in place" has evolved far beyond grab bars and wheelchair ramps. Today's custom home buyers — even those in their 30s and 40s — are building homes designed to accommodate every stage of life, from raising young children to aging comfortably without ever needing to move. In Central Indiana's luxury market, accessible design has become synonymous with intelligent design.
Universal Design: Beautiful and Accessible
Universal design means creating spaces that work for people of all ages and abilities without looking institutional. The best universal design features are invisible — they simply make the home work better for everyone:
- Zero-step entries: Flush thresholds at all exterior doors. No step-up from garage to house. These benefit everyone — from parents carrying groceries to grandparents with mobility challenges.
- Wide doorways and hallways: 36" doors and 42" hallways throughout. This doesn't just accommodate wheelchairs — it makes moving furniture easier, allows two people to pass comfortably, and gives the home a more spacious feel.
- Single-floor living capability: A main-floor primary suite, laundry, and full kitchen means you can live entirely on one level if stairs become difficult. This doesn't mean you can't have a second floor — just that the main floor is self-sufficient.
Bathroom Design for Every Age
Bathrooms are where aging-in-place design matters most:
- Curbless showers: A seamless floor transition looks modern and elegant while eliminating a trip hazard. Use linear drains and proper slope to manage water containment.
- Blocking in walls: Install 2x6 blocking behind all bathroom walls during framing. This allows grab bars to be mounted anywhere, anytime, without opening walls — and costs less than $500 during construction.
- Comfort-height vanities: 34–36" vanity height is easier on backs and knees than standard 30–32" vanities. They also look more proportional in luxury bathrooms.
- Separate tub and shower: A freestanding soaking tub and large walk-in shower provide flexibility as needs change over time.
Kitchen Accessibility
- Varied counter heights: A 30" section of counter (in addition to standard 36") provides a comfortable work surface for seated users and children
- Pull-out shelves and drawers: Replace lower cabinets with pull-out drawers for easy access without bending
- Touchless faucets and lighting: Convenient for everyone, essential for those with limited hand mobility
- Side-opening or drawer-style ovens: Eliminate the need to reach over a hot door
Technology for Independence
Smart home technology is the most powerful aging-in-place tool available:
- Voice-controlled everything: Lights, thermostat, locks, blinds, and entertainment — all controllable by voice for those with limited mobility
- Video doorbell and smart locks: Answer the door without getting up; grant access remotely
- Automated lighting: Motion-sensing lights in hallways and bathrooms prevent falls at night
- Health monitoring integration: Pre-wire for medical alert systems and health monitoring devices
The Elevator Question
For two-story custom homes, we strongly recommend roughing in an elevator shaft during construction, even if you don't install the elevator immediately. A roughed-in shaft costs $3,000–$5,000. Retrofitting an elevator into an existing home costs $50,000–$80,000. Installing into a pre-framed shaft costs $25,000–$40,000. The math is clear.
At Integra Builders, we incorporate universal design principles into every custom home as standard practice. See our approach in our Portfolio or start your feasibility review.
What does aging in place mean for custom home design?
Aging in place means designing a home that remains comfortable, safe, and functional as you grow older — without needing to renovate or relocate. In custom home design, this includes zero-step entries, main-floor primary suites, curbless showers, wide doorways, and pre-wired smart home technology.
How much does it cost to add aging-in-place features to a custom home?
Most aging-in-place features add less than 2–3% to total construction cost when incorporated during initial design. Wider doorways, blocking for grab bars, curbless showers, and zero-step entries are inexpensive during new construction. Retrofitting these features later costs 5–10x more.
Should younger homeowners build for aging in place?
Absolutely. Building aging-in-place features into a new custom home costs a fraction of retrofitting them later. Features like zero-step entries, wide hallways, and main-floor primary suites benefit families at every life stage — and make the home more appealing to future buyers regardless of age.