PRODUCT FEATURE | Multigenerational design
The Malmo Freedom
stick-down LVT flooring range is said to be the perfect choice for multigene- rational homes
For additional reassurance, HiB’s shower seat with support leg can be securely fixed to hold up to 150kg
The Shower Lab M2M (made-to-measure) range
recommend you opt for a shower toilet as these are useful for those with limited dexterity and they tend to be easier to keep clean. Wall-hung sanitary ware is preferable to floorstanding and it’s worth considering whether you need to set sink height to accom- modate a wheel chair, and whether you might need to position the WC higher to suit someone with limited mobility. It’s also worth discussing with clients
whether grab rails might be necessary in the future. Many homeowners, understandably, often find such questions awkward or uncomfortable as it means them having to deal with issues that they might not be ready to face. So, it is up to you as the retailer to ensure the customer feels at ease. One way of making your customers feel comfortable when it comes to talk around aging and mobility, is by stocking the right products. Designed
UK homes are multigenerational
1 in 3
thoughtfully, a multigenerational bathroom fit for all the family can be brought into being using products you’d see in any modern, luxurious bathroom. Where grab rails or a shower seat might be necessary, there are options available now that have brackets, and are detachable, so they can be installed as a way of future-proofing and not actually put to use until further down the life of the bathroom. The key point is that an
accessible bathroom needn’t look clinical or unstylish, or really any different from any bathroom. As marketing manager for VitrA, Margaret Talbot, puts it: “VitrA has a long-held belief to ‘design for all – in essence, if a design works for an elderly individual or someone with limited mobility, then there will be tangible lifestyle benefits for everyone; from parents with children, teens and those who are time poor or limited by
A design for the entire family
This bathroom from Passmore Group was designed for a multigenerational home, including a family member with limited mobility. Designer Nigel Kuvheya explains
“The bathroom had to meet the needs of the family member with limited mobility, as well as the rest of the family. We opted for an accessible shower room that features a Corian bench. “This gives the bathroom a more aesthetic look and makes it look less clinical. The Corian bench is also low-maintenance, making it easy to clean and suits all members of the household. “Other products used in the bathroom were a wall-hung box basin and a comfort-height toilet, all the pipe work was hidden behind the box work, really helping to reflect the modern design of the bathroom.
“Anti-slip vinyl flooring was laid across the entire bathroom, which is an accessible feature as it promotes safety. It is also easy to maintain and clean. Re-emphasising the fact that it is an accessible bathroom, even though it may not look like it.”
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space. Good design that is genuinely inclusive enhances style and prac- ticality for all users.”
So, why should retailers consider accessible design and multigene- rational design, and how, beyond the actual product, can manufacturers help them to more effectively sell this? Firstly, the so-called ‘grey pound’ is worth a significant amount to KBB retailers, as those aged between 50 and 70 tend to have the most disposable income. Of course, there is also the ‘purple pound’ – describing the spending power of the disabled
consumer market, which, despite a lot of progress in terms of accessible design, remains under-served. It is thought that in the UK, some seven million people of working age have a disability, and that the ‘purple pound’ is worth around £249bn to the economy, and yet to find a retailer who can design and sell a truly accessible kitchen or bathroom is no easy task. That said, senior designer at Ripples Solihull, Richard Fox, believes that with more existing and new homes being designed for the multigenerational market, more retailers will get on board. “The end user, designer or builder will continue to come back to ask for this help knowing that you are able to supply these intuitive products. With them becoming more of the ‘norm’, you become ahead of the game.” On a similar note, Stephen Johnson, MD at Quooker, adds: “The demand for multigenerational design and future- proofing homes is growing. People are living longer, which creates the need for spaces that meet the requirements of multiple demo graphics. Understanding this and selling products designed for multigenerational living will give a more competitive edge to retailers. “The whole KBB industry needs to start considering the multigenerational aspect of design more seriously. It’s important to think about different age and ability groups, how they use their spaces and what common issues could be prevented through clever, inclusive design”.
· December 2022
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