Throughout life, there are many changes especially when it comes to houses. You can move several times in search of the perfect home for you at certain life stages. This can be dependent on where you work, where your partner lives, where your family is located, and even where you study. At all stages of life, there are many reasons to move and find your perfect home. However, as you age, moving can become more difficult to do and you can get tired of scouting for the perfect place to settle down. Plus, you have to start considering what you need in a home for the future when you are less physically able.
Whether you are tired of moving or you have already found the perfect home to future-proof, you can turn your current home into your forever home! There are a few stages to consider and change in your house to create your forever home. Discover some ways to age-proof your home so you can settle down forever, aging gracefully, without the need to give up the house you love!
Decorate to your liking
The first step to creating your forever home is to decorate it to your liking. If you don’t love the décor, you won’t feel happy about staying there for the rest of your life. However, there are some considerations when it comes to decorating your forever home that you need to think about while incorporating what you love. It is ideal to choose a timeless style rather than a trendy design as many don’t age well and trends come and go. Try incorporating classic materials and finishes that will look amazing in the long run.
When it comes to painting, make sure to choose neutral colors such as white and beige, these are a safer option and will easily complement a range of décor styles. But, if you want to be daring and bold, just make sure you love it so you can feel happy and comfortable in your forever home!
Think about furniture that will be useful in the future
Another easy way to create your forever home is through furniture. Take a look at what you currently have and ask yourself if this will serve you well when you are older? You need to consider comfortable, easy-to-use furniture, and furniture that assists you if you plan on growing old at your current home.
A great place to start with this is in the living room. Consider switching up your sofa and chairs to provide a more comfortable experience that supports your body. This is essential for when you are older as joints and muscles need comfortable support as they slowly deteriorate with age. Plus, with the aches and pains that come with aging, there’s nothing worse than uncomfortable seating in a place where you are supposed to unwind. Rise and recline chairs are an excellent piece of furniture to include in your living room for the future. These support you, provide you with the ultimate relaxing position, and aid you with any mobility issues you may encounter as you age.
You may also want to invest in a long-lasting handmade sofa. These not only last long, standing the test of time, but they provide you with ultimate cushioning that doesn’t easily flatten!
Other items of furniture you may want to consider that will aid you when you’re older could be a well-built cart on locking wheels to easily transport essential items, a slide-out table to provide a seated workstation, or an arty support feature such as a unique grab bar for the shower.
Install smart home technology
Make life easier when you are older by installing smart home technology. This is the way of the future and will be prevalent in years to come, meaning you can’t avoid smart home technology forever. These can make odd jobs and daily life much simpler which will be a welcome relief as you age.
You can invest in smart security systems to keep you and your home safe, smart home speakers to control your lighting and appliances without having to do it yourself, smart door locks to automatically lock your doors in case you forget, and even smart lawnmowers to help you keep your garden tidy when you are no longer able to do it! There are lots of smart home technology to choose from, so think carefully about what you will need more and set a budget to prevent overspending too.
Make access simple
To make life easier when you are older, ensure that access to your home is easy to navigate and stable for you to safely get in and out of your home. Try to have a no-step entrance, if possible, if this isn’t achievable insert a ramp to easily walk up instead of the steps. If possible, try to have a flat surface outside your home too to help prevent being unstable on your feet and provide a shelter to protect you from the weather as well.
Update the bathroom & make it accessible
Updating your bathroom to make it accessible and safe is essential for making your forever home. The bathroom is a place where many possible hazards can occur due to the shower and bath causing wet patches that are slippy. Slipping can happen in the bath and on the floor and is something you need to reduce the risk of when you are older. Falling when you are older can cause serious damage, so look at your current bathroom and see how you can prevent the risks from occurring.
Upgrade your bathtub to one that is designed with safety in mind and one that is easily accessible for when you are older too. Curbless showers with oversized niches are aging-friendly and can be a great choice that makes your bathroom more luxurious. Or try a single-ended bath if you prefer to have a bathtub. Switch out your hand shower for one that slides on a rail and install a bench to sit on when needed. You can also invest in bidet toilet seats that can be put on closer to the time when you need it, lever tap handles to easily navigate the taps, and entry doors to the bathroom that slide open to give you easy access while being stylish.
Update the kitchen & make it accessible
Having an updated and accessible kitchen is best for everyone, but especially for you when you age. Turn your kitchen into an easy-to-use space where you can easily reach all the kitchen essentials and appliances. A great way to do this is to change the height of countertops, cupboards, and the sink to a height where you can sit and use the space or not bend as often. This will help to save your back and decrease the risk of severe back pain that can occur with age.
Try to make your kitchen open plan too to make the space easier to navigate in the future. This also encourages socializing and maximizes the flow of light too! With this layout, incorporate slide-in base cabinets, deep drawers, and cabinet pullouts to make cabinets more accessible.
Consider the flooring
For your forever home, you should consider changing the flooring to something long-lasting, that looks great over time and is trip/slip-proof. All flooring should be durable, keeping its new look and feel over the years, and should be stable for walking on, especially for unstable feet. You could choose from wood, laminate, plush carpet, and porcelain tile.
Create a space for hobbies
As you get older, you get more free time to enjoy what you love more often. With this in mind, consider creating a space for hobbies where you can relax and enjoy whatever it is you love. Try giving yourself a room that can accommodate your hobbies and your family’s hobbies. You could set up an arts and crafts room, a home gym, or a cozy space to read in.
Try some of these methods to transform your home into your forever home and future-proof every room to make life easier when you are older. Having a forever home doesn’t have to require moving as there are many gradual adaptations you can implement over time, meaning you can keep the house you love and age gracefully within it.
