In addition to the overall plan, a lot of woman-centric features can be built into a home. And existing homes can also be remodeled with ideas that make women's lives easier.

 

• In the bathroom: A specially-designed bathroom drawer, with metal storage compartments, allows curling irons and hair dryers to be put away while they're still hot, keeping counters free of clutter.

The appliances plug in underneath, "so you never have to have cords on the counters". An indicator on the wall tells at a glance if appliances are on or off.

 

Also, a single-handle faucet can save cleaning time and a pull-out drawer, in the cabinet under the sink, provides easy access to cleaning supplies.

 

• In the kitchen: Hunger asked for toe-kick drawers in her kitchen, making use of the space between the bottom of cupboards and floors.

 

"They're wide, flat drawers where you could put cookie sheets, table cloths and place mats," she said.

She also opted for adjustable shelves in kitchen cupboards, and a working pantry. In addition to shelving for food, the pantry has electrical outlets and counters for small appliances.

 

"It's a nice place to leave the Crock Pot or toaster", "Even though we eat toast every day, we don't want people to see the toaster, so it's hidden there."

 

• In the garage entry: the feature most often recommended to women is a drop zone in the entry from the garage.

 

"This is the most woman-centered thing we have" explaining that the drop zone has a small cupboard to hold keys and sunglasses, and a counter to sort mail, with a pull-out drawer for shredding and another for recycling. It's wired for recharging phones and computers, and there are lockers for purses, backpacks, coats and shoes.

 

"It's a stress reliever, It keeps clutter out of where you're living, so you can use that space for what it's intended for."

 

It also makes it easy to find everything you need the next day.

 

"A lot of women tell us that maybe the most stressful part of the day is getting everyone out of the house in the morning".

 

MORE OPTIONS

• A shallow cupboard can be built flush with the wall, between wall studs, to provide a place to hang jewelry
• Faucets that turn on and off with a touch anywhere on the surface make it easier to work in the kitchen, where hands may be holding cooking pots or food.
• Drawers for cooking pots and plastic wear can be built with a shelf to hold matching lids.
• Instead of a full-size broom closet in the kitchen, build a shallow one into the side of the pantry.
• Window seats provide a place to relax and read, and also storage space beneath the seats for everything from toys or blankets to files.
• A pet area, in the laundry room or garage, can include a place to wash the dog. A toe-kick drawer can hold food and water bowls, and be opened for feeding and closed to hide it away or control how much a pet eats.
• Master closets can include a counter where luggage is placed for packing or unpacking. A large drawer underneath can house a laundry basket.