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Maegan Blau is a visionary designer, an accessibility advocate, and an unstoppable force of creativity. But to leave it at that would be missing the nuance of her story—a journey that marries passion with necessity, and art with empathy. It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t just speak about change but actively embodies it in every space they touch. Maegan, founder of Blue Copper Design in Arizona, USA, is redefining how we look at homes, accessibility and the unspoken power of design to elevate lives.
Her origin story is not the ordinary entrepreneur tale of stumbling onto an idea over coffee. It’s a narrative soaked in lived experience and the practical realization that no one else was going to create the world she needed. Maegan has used a wheelchair for over 15 years due to a spinal cord injury, and it was this journey of navigating inaccessible spaces that lit the spark. What began as a search for a home that didn’t confine her within traditional, non-adaptive layouts has since evolved into a mission to transform residential accessibility across the country.
“I bought my first home when I was 20. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to,” she says, recounting the necessity of needing to renovate a space that could accommodate her. This wasn’t a luxury but a practical choice after the realization that accessible spaces didn’t exist in any meaningful way. Faced with the daunting task of transforming her new house into a functional and beautiful living space, she teamed up with a contractor. It was a conversation with him that would steer the course of her future:
That pivotal question wasn’t just the starting point for a career, a key moment that unlocked a deeper passion she had unknowingly carried with her for years. With a family background in the furniture business and a longstanding love affair with HGTV, Maegan accepted the challenge; she ran with it, launching Blue Copper Design in 2018. But here’s where it gets good: Maegan didn’t just aim to be another designer; she set out to create a ripple effect in the world of accessibility. Her company is one of the few in the country to specialize in “barrier-free design,” a term she has come to define in a fluid, almost philosophical way. “It’s about removing barriers from spaces—not just for people with disabilities but for everyone,” Maegan says. She explains that while the term might bring to mind images of ramps and handrails, true barrier-free design is more holistic. It’s about creating spaces that serve the people who live there, visitors, and even the home itself. “Homes have a soul,” she quips, with the kind of wry insight that only someone who lives and breathes design can offer.
So, what does Blue Copper Design offer? Note that it’s not just your standard home renovation company. Maegan offers full-service design, consultation and barrier-free design—all with a keen eye for creating spaces that are both aesthetically breathtaking and fully functional for those with mobility challenges. “We don’t just throw up some grab bars and call it accessible,” she says. “I make sure my designs look like anyone could walk into them and feel at home, whether they’re disabled or not.”
And therein lies the magic: Maegan’s work goes beyond just meeting minimum accessibility requirements. She creates homes that are truly livable—beautiful, customized spaces that serve as havens for those who occupy them. She weaves elegance with practicality in ways that challenge the usual assumption that accessible design has to look clinical or bland. No. Maegan’s designs are warm, vibrant and inclusive. They reject the notion that accessibility and style are mutually exclusive.
Now, for all the aspiring business owners out there, let’s be clear: starting a company from scratch is no walk in the park. “There’s a certain level of delusion you need to have at the start,” Maegan laughs. “Because if you really knew how hard it was going to be, you might never start.” But she did, and Blue Copper Design has flourished into a nationally recognized firm, consulting on projects all over the United States. Maegan’s vision for her company is grander than merely growing profits. She’s out to shift paradigms—to leave the world a little more accessible than she found it. “Right now, only 2% of homes in the U.S. are accessible, and that includes apartments. We’re a long way from where we need to be.”
As the demand for accessible spaces grows—especially with more people choosing to age in place—Maegan is positioning her company as a leader in the movement. “People always ask if accessible design affects home value, and I’m here to tell you, it absolutely does. It adds value,” she says firmly. “Not only are accessible homes in demand, but they’re rare. There’s a 98% gap in the market, and that’s only going to grow.”
Beyond her work with individual clients, Maegan is also looking toward the future—dreaming up collaborations with home builders and bigger brands to bring accessible design into the mainstream. Her aim? To make barrier-free spaces a norm, not a niche.
“I’ve noticed that when people see accessible designs that don’t look like a hospital, it sparks something in them. They start to think about their own lives and how design impacts them. It’s not always about being disabled; it’s about creating a home that works for you, your family, your friends, everyone!”
The world often overlooks the needs of people with disabilities, but Maegan Blau is quietly, but powerfully, making waves. And if you’re wondering what her guiding philosophy is, it’s this: “Design for everybody. Not just everybody . . . every body!.”
She’s bold, thoughtful and transformative—just like her designs.