168: Our Seniors Are the Gateway Drug to Accessibility with Maegan Blau of Blue Copper Design

About this episode

Maegan Blau discusses the importance of accessibility in design, particularly for seniors, and addresses common misconceptions surrounding it.

Rebecca and Shaun are joined by Maegan Blau, owner of Blue Copper Design in the Phoenix area, for a conversation about accessibility, aging in place, and why thoughtful design should support people through every stage of life. Maegan shares how her lived experience as a wheelchair user shaped her design perspective and why accessibility has become such a central part of her business. They dig into the misconceptions that keep homeowners and designers from planning ahead, from the belief that accessibility is only needed “later” to the idea that it has to look clinical or cost dramatically more. Along the way, they also talk about designing for seniors, the future of accessible interiors, social media hot takes, and a few delightfully chaotic sidebars only this club could deliver. In this episode they discuss: Why Maegan believes seniors are often the best entry point for conversations about accessibility and aging in place Common misconceptions around accessible design, including the idea that it is ugly, overly expensive, or only necessary after a crisis How designers can make homes more flexible with features like curbless showers, wider doorways, blocking for future grab bars…

People in this episode

Hosts: Rebecca, Shaun

Guest: Maegan Blau

Topics covered

• accessibility
• aging in place
• design for seniors
• misconceptions about accessibility
• flexible home design
• universal design

Keywords

• accessibility
• aging in place
• design misconceptions
• curbless showers
• universal design
• flexible homes
• interior design

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Blue Copper Design

Places: Phoenix

More episodes of Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast

• 180: Hema Persad Is Uncompromising About Mediocrity in Her Life and Her Design Business, Sagrada Studio · June 12, 2026 · 1h 7m
• 179: Stay the Course, Focusing on the Right Projects · June 5, 2026 · 1h 18m
• 178: Someone needs to start a Design Detail Database · May 29, 2026 · 1h 9m
• 177: How to Be a Successful House Witch · May 22, 2026 · 1h 11m
• 176: Some Clients Need a Design Dom · May 15, 2026 · 1h 13m
• 175 REHEATED: Caroline Turner Confesses Why She Doesn't Like Referrals · May 8, 2026 · 1h 24m