Home Remodeling and Design for Aging in Place
What do you love best about your home?
Maybe you have a historic home and love the stories that come with it. If you’ve remodeled and designed your home, maybe your favorite part is remembering the hard work that went into the project.
If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve not only made your house a home by adding furniture, colors, and décor, but you’ve also filled the space with memories.
Let's bring your
dream space to life.
A house truly becomes a home when we can picture ourselves staying long term. Whether you’ve built your home from the ground up or bought your dream home and are remodeling, there are a few changes you can implement to keep your home safe and accessible as you age.
Aging-in-Place Home Remodeling Checklist
First – don’t panic at the idea of making your home accessible! Accessibility can also be aesthetically pleasing, and many of these upgrades won’t be obvious to your guests.
First, for the overall floor plan:
- Consider making your main living space on a single story, including a full bath
- Get rid of any steps between rooms/areas on the main level
- Hallways should be wide and well-lit
- Add plenty of windows for natural light, but make sure they have easy to operate hardware
Second, consider the kitchen and appliances:
- You may want to consider having cabinets three inches lower than conventional height when stretching upwards isn’t an option anymore
- Add roll out trays and a lazy susan to your lower cabinets
- Open shelving is a great option for frequently used items
- Consider appliances with easy-to-read controls and at counter height
- Add under-counter seating for work spaces in the kitchen
Lastly, make some upgrades in the bathroom:
- Add wall supports – even if you don’t need them now, a relative or friend might need them when they come to visit
- Add a light in the shower stall
- Add a bench in the shower
- Add slip-resistant flooring in the entire bathroom, including the shower
Age in Place without Compromising on Style
According to Susan Wright from the AIA New York Chapter Design for Aging Committee, “subtle design choices can have a profound impact on how long you can comfortably live in your own home, without compromising your aesthetic aims.”
Adding these small changes sooner will not only save you time and money in the long run, but it will allow you and your partner to stay in your home longer, which has been proven to help seniors have greater health and happiness outcomes.
How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?
Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.
Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you with home remodeling, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!
Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home with the help of an expert home remodeling company in Ann Arbor.