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After decades of hard work, your golden years are meant to be filled with enjoyment and relaxation, and considering how much time you spend in it, your home plays a big part in that. You may be finding, though, that some spaces could use an upgrade, whether to boost safety, make them more user-friendly, or simply enhance their design. From aesthetic updates to value-added improvements, here are a variety of ideas to help you get started.
Renovating with quality of life in mind
In past years, planning for retirement typically meant trading in the large family home for a smaller, more manageable condo or cottage, often in a new, warm-weather location. Now, however, many retirees are choosing to age in place, adapting their homes for their future mobility needs.
Preparing for both your safety and comfort as you age means integrating universal design features for added accessibility. Look ahead to the future as you consider your options, focusing on ones that may accommodate your anticipated needs.
Safe bathroom elements
Features such as adjustable showerheads, handheld shower wands, grab bars, and nonslip flooring can help improve safety in your bathrooms; the latter two, in particular, can prevent slips and falls, which are common sources of injury for aging adults.
Functional kitchen design
The kitchen is the heart of the home and an area many people spend a lot of time in, so it must be as functional as it is beautiful. Install pullout shelving in low cabinets to avoid having to reach far in to get what you need, and ensure that there’s sufficient storage space at or below waist level for storing heavy pots and pans so you won’t have to lift them overhead.
Adequate lighting
Evenly distributed lighting not only provides a soothing ambience but also helps improve visibility and safety. Task lighting in work areas and motion-sensing night-lights in hallways and bathrooms will enable you to move about your home both day and night without issue.
Smart devices
Install smart devices you can control either with a remote or your voice for easier management of lighting, thermostats, and other home systems. These devices can help you maximize efficiency while also cutting down on electricity costs.
Flexible furniture arrangements
Design your living spaces to accommodate your needs and preferences, creating clear pathways for better maneuverability and adding seating options with optimal levels of support. For instance, low sofas and chairs can be harder to sit down on and get up from for aging adults, so consider choosing higher-sitting pieces with armrests you can lean on as needed.
Renovating with ROI in mind
Along with making your home safer and more comfortable, the right updates and upgrades can boost your enjoyment of it—and improve its should you decide to tap into its equity or even sell it down the line. By choosing durable and timeless materials, your renovations can continue to add value for years to come.
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
These two rooms are among the most frequented in the home, which makes newly renovated ones highly sought after by homebuyers. As such, improving their aesthetics and efficiency can make a world of difference for both your current living and your home’s worth. If you’re looking to get a lot of bang for your buck, consider simple updates like swapping outdated fixtures for ones in modern finishes like matte black or polished nickel and increasing storage options with an updated vanity or wall shelving.
Energy-efficiency upgrades
Drafty windows and doors can cost more than you might think in lost energy. Invest in insulation and sealing as well as new energy-efficient windows, doors, and appliances. Upgrading your HVAC system can also help add value to your home and improve its overall comfort.
Curb appeal enhancements
Give the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint, preferably in a neutral color like beige or gray; this will give it a clean look you’ll enjoy coming home to while offering wide appeal to potential future buyers. If you still want a bit of pop, you could paint your window frames and front door a contrasting color. In addition, ensure that your outdoor spaces are well maintained, making landscaping improvements like planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees that are both beautiful and easy to care for.
Optimal outdoor spaces
If you enjoy taking in the fresh air, build a deck or patio in your backyard to be used for outdoor living and entertaining. Such features are also huge draws on the real estate market. For added visual appeal, install a hardscape such as a sitting wall or firepit, both of which can make the space more enjoyable.
Professional or DIY?
When planning the improvements you want to make to your home, a key consideration to factor in is which you can conduct yourself and which you should hire a professional for. Simpler ones like painting your front porch or replacing your mailbox can be manageable They may even align with your retirement goals—such as if you desire to spend more time gardening or installing landscaping—or your previous work experience. If you were in a technology field, for instance, you could likely tackle various smart-home upgrades with ease. However, always leave more complicated or intensive projects like electric or construction work to a professional.
Whether you’re seeking to improve accessibility or add value through strategic upgrades, deciding to renovate in retirement is a wise investment in your future well-being and financial security. So take the plunge, embrace the possibilities, and let your projects bring you years of enhanced comfort, convenience, and satisfaction in the place you call home.
The Next Wave: 3D-Printed Homes
Kristen Henry, chief technology officer at SQ4D, explains the advantages of 3D-printed home construction for both builders and consumers.
