As the years pass and our lives evolve, our homes should change with us, providing a safe and comfortable environment in which to age gracefully. Aging in place has become a popular choice for individuals who want to maintain their independence and remain in the homes they love. 

While it’s crucial for your home to meet your current needs, it’s equally important to plan for the future. Keep flexibility in mind as you design your home, and make allowances for future adjustments as your requirements evolve. With thoughtful and proactive renovations, you can create a home that not only meets your current needs but can also adapt to lifestyle changes down the line. 

As you contemplate what your life will look like as you grow older, consider these home renovations to ensure your home remains supportive for years to come and is conducive to aging in place.

#1. Entrance Accessibility

Creating a home that will remain comfortable as you age begins right at your doorstep. Consider enhancing your home’s accessibility by installing a ramp or widening the entryway to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers. These changes enhance your independence and set the stage for a painless transition as your mobility needs evolve.

#2. Open Floor Plans for Ease of Movement

An open floor plan can significantly enhance your home’s accessibility and create a seamless flow between different areas of your home. Removing unnecessary walls creates larger, more open spaces, which makes it easier to move around — especially for those who use mobility aids. Not only do these renovations improve the practicality and functionality of your home, but they can also enhance its aesthetic appeal. Plus, open floor plans are better for hosting large family gatherings.

#3. User-Friendly Kitchen Design

The kitchen is known as the heart of the home, and it’s essential that it remains accessible as you’re aging in place. Consider incorporating countertops at varying heights to accommodate both standing and sitting while performing various tasks. For ease of use, opt for lever-style handles on cabinets and faucets. Additionally, utilizing non-slip flooring and task lighting can further enhance your kitchen’s safety and functionality.

#4. Bathroom Safety Upgrades

Accidents commonly occur in the bathroom, especially for seniors who are aging in place. To create a safer environment and make it easier to perform your daily routines, install grab bars near the toilet and shower. A curbless shower with a built-in bench makes bathing more convenient, while non-slip flooring reduces your risk of falls. Furthermore, a raised toilet seat and easily accessible storage can add an extra layer of comfort.

#5. Bedroom Accessibility and Comfort

When you’re aging in place, your bedroom should be a sanctuary where you can relax and recharge. For maximum convenience, install bedside lighting controls, lower light switches, and incorporate remote-controlled window treatments. When your bedroom is comfortable and accessible, you’re more likely to experience restful sleep, making your daily routines more manageable.

#6. Smart Home Technology Integration

Embrace the power of modern technology to make your life easier. These innovations are excellent for aging in place, assisting with tasks such as adjusting thermostat settings, lighting, and security features with the touch of a button or a simple voice command. Smart technology can enhance your quality of life while providing an added layer of security and accessibility.

#7. Flooring Choices for Safety and Comfort

Selecting the right flooring is crucial for creating a home that supports aging in place. Opt for slip-resistant surfaces, such as hardwood with a matte finish or tiles with non-slip properties. Smooth, low-pile carpets are another great choice. Whatever flooring you choose, just make sure it’s even and free of trip hazards to facilitate easy movement.

Renovate Your Home for Comfortable Aging in Place

Creating a home that’s suitable for your sunset years doesn’t have to be complicated. If you plan on aging in place and enjoying the comforts of your home as you grow older, renovation services by Rosewood Painting and Remodeling can go a long way. By incorporating thoughtful design elements and considering your evolving needs, we can help you create a living space that enhances your quality of life and allows you to maintain your independence. 

To learn more about our comprehensive services or get started on your home remodeling project, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to transforming your living space into a haven where you can age in place, surrounded by the familiar comforts of home.

For the past three decades, open floor plans have been at the top of every potential homeowner’s list of must-haves. Many people have chosen to knock out the walls in their older homes to create open-concept living spaces. You can’t watch a home improvement show without hearing them mention an open floor plan at least once. We even wrote a blog post recently about all the reasons to love this type of home.

However, there is also a case to be made for the closed floor plan. While it may seem inconvenient at first glance, closed-concept living is becoming increasingly attractive for many families. If you’re building a new home or considering renovations, keep reading to learn more about the surprising benefits of closed floor plans.

A Decline in Open-Concept Living

After around 30 years of dominating the residential interior design scene, open floor plans, which eliminate walls wherever possible to create bigger living spaces, may be on the decline. In Zillow’s home design predictions for 2023, they determined that a growing number of homeowners are looking for homes with more private spaces. Mentions of “privacy” or “private spaces” in Zillow listings were up 7 percent, and Google searches for “closed floor plan” and “closed concept” have also seen an increase, suggesting that this alternative design scheme is coming back into style. 

Why are more and more people turning to homes with compartmentalized rooms rather than sprawling spaces? It may be due to the lifestyle shift that occurred in 2020. With everyone spending more time at home, many people realized that wide open spaces are not necessarily conducive to Zoom calls, working from home, and schoolwork. This time period emphasized the importance of having spaces you can retreat to when you need some time alone. 

Benefits of Closed Floor Plans

In addition to allowing for greater privacy, closed floor plans provide unique design opportunities, among other benefits. If the idea of a closed-concept home seems appealing to you, you’re not alone! Open floor plans are probably not going anywhere anytime soon, but for the first time in decades, their supremacy is less certain. 

Greater Design Freedom

Open-concept homes can be difficult to furnish and decorate. When your entryway, living room, kitchen, and dining area are combined, it’s challenging to create a cohesive look and harmonious flow. 

Closed floor plans, on the other hand, allow you to create unique interior designs in each room. This is perfect for individuals who favor eclectic styles and bold colors, as it eliminates visual clutter. Plus, with more walls, you have more space to hang artwork and other decor, showcasing your unique personality.

Easily Contain Messes

If everything in your home is contained in separate rooms, messes can be contained more easily. Instead of craft projects covering the dining room table, toys spread out all over the living room, and dirty dishes in the kitchen creating an eyesore when you’re trying to relax in front of the TV, you can simply shut the door to hide messes when needed. 

This is especially convenient when you have guests coming over. No need to clean your whole home when the repair technician comes to fix your dishwasher — just shut the doors to your other rooms, and you’re good to go!

Enjoy Time Alone

As much as your family loves spending time together, everyone needs some time alone. When your kitchen, dining room, and living room are all on top of each other, it can lead to frustration and contention. When one family member is trying to watch TV while another is cooking dinner and another is working on homework at the table, chances are, you’ll end up interrupting each other, causing tension.

When everyone has their own space to participate in their individual endeavors, chances are, your family will get along better when you come together for meals and activities.

Drawbacks of Closed Floor Plans

Despite the merits of closed floor plans, there are also some drawbacks. With more walls in your home, you’ll have less space overall. Because of this, closed-concept living may not be suitable for smaller homes.

You may find that hosting gatherings becomes trickier when you have a closed-concept living area since you can’t interact with your guests as they lounge on the couch while you put the finishing touches on dinner. This can also be a disadvantage for parents who need to be able to keep an eye on their young children while they cook or clean.

Remodeling to Create Your Perfect Floor Plan

Whether you want to create an open or closed floor plan, Rosewood Paint and Remodel can help. Our expert team can take the stress out of home renovations, taking care of the whole process, from demolition to finishing touches. To get started on your home improvement project, contact us today!