The makeup of the single family home is changing. Less than 50% of today's households contain the traditional family of two parents and their children. Adult children are moving back home, sometimes with their own children and elderly parents are moving in with their children. To accomodate these changes in the household, we are remodeling our homes. To make room for additional occupants, basements and attics are being remodeled for extra space, and rooms are being added. These rooms can range from simple bedrooms to self-sufficient master suites with small kitchens and baths. Where building codes allow, in-law apartments are being added. The in-law apartment is more than just an added room: It is a self-contained unit. In the following, we will discuss a few design considerations for a well planned in-law apartment.

When designing the in-law apartment, keep in mind it is more than just added living space; It should be a separate unit. Even if the apartment is not intended for an elderly occupant, it should be designed for an occupant with limited mobility. A few small changes in the design will make it possible to adapt the unit at a later date. These changes will also provide for greater flexibility of the unit upon resale of the home. The ideal location for an in-law unit is the first floor. A first-floor unit is more easily accessible for a person whose mobility is limited. Depending on the available space, a comfortable in-law unit should be between 400-600 square feet. Most federally subsized elderly housing units are this size. Design porches and decks for future wheel chair accessability. Eliminate any step down from the unit to the porch or deck. This will eliminate the need to modify the deck if a wheelchair ramp is ever needed. Try to leave enough space at the entry for a future wheelchair ramp. A wheelchair ramp must be three feet wide with a pitch of 1/16 (a rise of one foot for 16 feet of run). If the porch or deck is 3 feet above the ground, you would need 48 lineal feet for an adequate wheelchair ramp.

When building stairs, make the stair tread wider and riser shorter. According to building code, the length of the stair tread plus the height of the riser must be between 15 and 16 inches. If there is space, a 10 inch tread with a 6 inch riser will make stairs easier for the elderly or handicapped to negotiate. Install handrails on both sides of the stairs, even if the building code does not require it. These small adjustments will add little or no cost to the project, but will make the unit easier to access.

In the framing stage, nailers should be added for pull bars wherever sitting and standing is required. It is also important to install theappropriate thickness of subflooring, so that different flooring materials will be uniform height. This will make the transition from wood to tile or linoleum consistent. Keep thresholds a maximum of 1/4 inch above adjacent flooring. Uneven transitions between rooms, such as high thresholds and different floor heights, can be a tripping hazard. When specifying windows and doors for an in-law apartment, a few extra features should be considered. Windows should have tilt-in sashes, which make cleaning easier. Install accessory handles to make it easier to open and close the window units. Interior and exterior door openings should be 3 feet wide; this will allow for clear passage for a wheelchair, if it is ever needed. Install lever door handles on all interior and exterior doors; they are easier to grip making doors much easier to open.

When designing the bathroom, swing the door into the hallway if there is limited space in the bathroom. Provide extra space in the bathroom for the rotation of a wheelchair. Install a specially designed toilet, which is higher off the floor. A pedestal sink or wall-mount sink and countertop will also be easier to use from a wheelchair. A step-in shower unit with a built-in seat will make it easier to enter, exit and use the shower unit. A hand-held faucet is another helpful option for the shower. If a tub is necessary, choose one with a non-slip surface. Don't forget to frame the walls for grab bars near the toilet, tub and shower. In the kitchen, design the cabinet units for a minimum of bending and kneeling. Maximize the use of floor to ceiling cabinets. Equip all base-unit cabinets with full-extension drawer slides.

To recap, if you are considering adding an in-law apartment to your home, keep a few things in mind. Try to keep the unit on the first floor. Leave enough room for handicapped access, if it is ever necessary. Include windows and doors that are easy to open and close. Keep all flooring at the same elevation, for smooth transition from room to room. Try to make each room large enough and doors wide enough, in case a wheelchair is ever needed. Install kitchen and bathroom cabinets that minimize bending and kneeling. These small considerations will not add much to the cost of the unit, but will add greater flexibility to the unit upon resale. Greater flexibility can also translate to a higher resale price for the home.