What to Know: 11-15

11. Avoid a basement laundry. Locate it near the master bedroom. For easy use by all, equip it with a raised platform featuring a front-loading washer and dryer with front controls.

12. Casement, awning, and other crank-style windows are easier to open and close than double-hung windows.

13. Allow a 5-foot-diameter turnaround space in each room, including the bathroom. While this sounds like a lot of space, it doesn't have to disrupt your floor plan. "There are a lot of ways you can do it," Wade says. "You can get some of that turn space by having the space under the sink open. If you have an open shower area, that will add turn space."

14. Light switches, thermostats, and other controls should be no more than 48 inches from the floor. Electrical outlets should be at least 15 inches from the floor to keep them within easy reach for everyone.

15. Staircases can be a major hazard. To make them safer, extend handrails at the top and bottom landings. A wide, straight staircase with large landings at the top and bottom makes it easier to add a chair lift.