How to bring more aging-in-place features to life for clients.
The 2025 U.S. Houzz & Home Study found that more than 3 in 5 renovating homeowners plan to stay in their newly renovated homes for at least 11 years (61%). As more homeowners remain in their homes into retirement years, home professionals are increasingly being asked to incorporate thoughtful universal design features that empower homeowners to age-in-place—especially in bathrooms.
From curbless showers and grab bars to non-slip flooring and ADA-compliant toilets, these safety-forward choices are becoming design essentials.
In fact, according to the 2024 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, 64% of homeowners renovate their homes to accommodate special needs, with the current (37%) and future needs (56%) of aging household members the top priority. Features include grab bars (64%), nonslip flooring (57%), curbless showers (38%), additional lighting (27%), ADA-compliant toilets (26%) and wheelchair accessible doorways (19%).
1. Wide Walkways and Doorways
Spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways—and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures—make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Pros on Houzz recommend 36-inch doorway openings to provide easier access for mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs. In the kitchen, designers recommend at least 48 inches of clearance between countertops and an island to ensure a safe and accessible work zone. Pros who use tools like Houzz Pro’s 3D Floor Planner can help their clients visualize the final space before a project begins so they can better understand how they’ll move within it.
2. Continuous and nonslip flooring
Installing a continuous flooring material throughout reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms. If steps can’t be avoided, consider adding a ramp with a gentle slope to create a smooth and accessible transition into or within the home. Nonslip flooring is a smart choice throughout a home, but it’s especially critical in bathrooms and kitchens, where water exposure is frequent. In bathrooms, designers on Houzz often recommend mosaic tiles with matte finishes and multiple grout lines, which offer improved traction. Classic pebble tile is also a popular option thanks to its naturally textured surface that helps prevent slips.
3. Ground Floor Bedroom
A spacious primary suite on the first floor is another key element of an aging-in-place design. It’s important to allow ample room to move comfortably around the bed and furnishings—and to accommodate medical equipment if needed. Pros on Houzz suggest thinking about potential staffing support issues, how to provide fantastic views should one become bedridden, the ability for individuals to move themselves and the ability for others to be able to move them.
4. Curbless Shower
One of the most highly recommended features for aging in place is a curbless shower. In fact, the 2024 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study found that curbless showers were common in nearly 2 in 5 renovated bathrooms (38%). By eliminating the threshold into the shower area, this design creates a smooth, barrier-free entry that enhances safety and accessibility—especially for those using a wheelchair or walker or who have limited mobility.
5. Grab bars, benches and handheld sprayers
Grab bars are an essential component of any bathroom designed for aging in place—but they require proper planning. Structural backing must be installed behind the wall to ensure the bar can safely support weight and pressure during use. Pros on Houzz recommend installing grab bars in the shower—particularly near a bench—and alongside the toilet to enhance safety and offer support where it’s needed most. A bench is a crucial aging-in-place feature in a shower, offering a comfortable place to sit if needed. Paired with a nearby handheld sprayer, it allows users to shower while seated with ease and independence. It also provides greater functionality for caregivers assisting with bathing. For added convenience and safety, choose models mounted on a slide bar that doubles as a grab bar.
6. Abundant Lighting
As we age, our eyesight often diminishes, making well-lit spaces essential for safety. Poor lighting can increase the risk of accidents, so it’s important to provide ample, thoughtfully layered lighting throughout the home. The 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that additional lighting was a common aging-in-place feature in kitchens (55%). Combining recessed ceiling lights with pendant fixtures and undercabinet lighting creates balanced, versatile illumination. Low-level lighting, such as LED strips installed in toekicks, is also a great addition—it softly lights pathways and helps prevent trips and falls during the night.
7. Easy-to-Grip Levers and Handles
Grip strength is an important consideration when designing a home for aging in place. Small cabinet knobs can be hard to grasp and pull, and traditional faucet knobs often require awkward twisting motions. That’s why experts recommend choosing faucets with lever handles and cabinet hardware with sturdy pulls.
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing an all-in-one software solution for industry professionals and tools for homeowners to update their homes from start to finish. Using Houzz, people can find ideas and inspiration, hire professionals and shop for products.
Read the complete The 2025 U.S. Houzz & Home Study and the complete 2024 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study report here.