When planning a home remodel, you’re thinking about how your space can be upgraded to better meet your needs. But it’s also practical to consider your needs 5, 10, or even 15 years down the line. Many people appreciate the comforts of remaining in their home as they age, and often prefer to remodel their space for improved accessibility and safety over moving into a senior community or assisted living care. If you’re considering remaining in your home for many years, here’s your guide to aging in place remodeling from Straight Line Construction.
Design for Accessibility
If you’re making upgrades now but plan to stay in your home for the long haul, it’s practical to consider accessibility as you redesign your space. This may include widening hallways and doorways when possible to 36”, installing lever-style door handles for ease of use, and adding grab bars if needed—especially in areas like bathrooms and stairways.
When it comes to new flooring, vinyl and linoleum can provide more traction than stone options, and can also be more forgiving in the event of a fall. Task or track lighting throughout the home also improves visibility and therefore safety. A good rule of thumb with aging in place remodeling: the more open space and light, the better!
Create Ease of Use in the Kitchen
Ease of use should always be the primary focus in the kitchen, but especially as we age. It’s important to design the kitchen to facilitate meal preparation, but also to avoid common accidents such as burns. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, consider installing a wall oven that opens to the side rather than by being pulled down. This way, you never have to lift food while leaning over a heated door. Pull out shelves and lazy susans will also help improve accessibility, while pull-down shelves can be used for overhead cabinetry.
Following our earlier rule of thumb, the more clearance you have in the kitchen, the better. Automatic lights ensure visibility before sharp or potentially dangerous tools are accessed, and installing under-cabinet lighting can help illuminate areas that would normally be too dark to safely navigate.
Choose Bathroom Upgrades that Prevent Injury
Your safety is our first priority. For those 65+, 80% of falls occur within the bathroom. Because of this, bathroom renovations are an important area of focus when it comes to aging in place remodeling. Zero entry, curbless, and roll-in showers are all great options to maximize accessibility. If you’re more of a bath person, walk-in tubs make it easy to enjoy a luxurious soak. Upgrade to a hydrotherapy tub to help alleviate soreness and achy joints, and install an in-line heater to keep your water piping hot.
Slippery floors are a huge bathroom hazard. Options to prevent this include rubber flooring and anti-slip tiles. There are also choices if you’re not planning to replace your bathroom floors, including non-slip rugs or anti-slip treads or stickers.
We are a VA Contractor
Looking for a Florida VA contractor to help with your home remodel? We thank you for your service, and are proud to assist you! As an experienced VA contractor, we work with VA grants and hold the required insurance to complete your project.
Straight Line Construction also has extensive experience with ADA remodeling. We’ll help you renovate your space into an ADA compliant home, improving safety, comfort, and everyday quality of life.
Learn More about Aging in Place Remodeling—Schedule Your Free Consultation
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to aging in place remodeling, but you’re not alone. At Straight Line Construction, our experts are here to guide you through the process while maintaining the highest standards of both service and quality. Contact us to get your free remodeling quote or visit our Gainesville/ Alachua or Ocala showrooms today!