Most people experience a gradual decline in their physical capabilities as they get older. Eyesight, for one, tends to diminish with age. If you are planning an aging-in-place home remodel, it’s wise to focus on one of the most important interior elements: lighting. With the right lighting fixtures, you can help to create a safe, comfortable and independent living environment in your golden years.
Lighting Solutions for Aging Eyes
A wide range of eye conditions can occur as people age. Here’s a look at some of the challenges and the necessary lighting solutions:
- Reduced capability to make out small details – Lenses lose elasticity with age, reducing one’s visual clarity and focus. Bright task lighting inside the kitchen or home office helps you prepare food, read and perform other tasks that require attention to small details.
- Reduced contrast sensitivity – Moving from a well-lit room to a dimly lit one can be difficult for this reason. High-contrast color surfaces combined with bright uniform lighting can be of great help to increase visual contrast.
- Increased glare sensitivity – Aging eyes may see halos from bright lights and become even more sensitive to glare. This can be minimized by using lampshades that diffuse light and painting walls and other surfaces with a matte finish to stop light from bouncing around the room.
Lighting Ideas to Consider
When planning an aging-in-place home renovation, make sure you know which lighting best suits the rooms you’re looking to update. Ideally, the more light and the brighter it is, the better. Take the following into consideration:
- Layered lighting – Overhead lighting alone is not enough if you are planning an accessible home. Combining ambient, accent and task lighting allows you to create a cohesive and functional space that ensures comfort, utility and beauty.
- Natural lighting – Take advantage of window openings that allow sunlight into your room to make the whole space airier and more open. As already mentioned, use matte or non-glossy finishes for walls and surfaces to minimize glare. Also, be sure there is ambient lighting available at night.
- Table lamps – A lampshade helps accent your furniture while creating a warm atmosphere inside the room. Choose a lamp that emits adequate lighting to reduce visual hazards.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Central Texas can help you create a safe, functional and beautiful space that fits every season of your life through our Independence by Design™ services. To learn more, get in touch with us by calling (254) 523-6699 or submitting our contact form today! We serve homeowners in Waco and the nearby communities of Gatesville, Whitney, Lorena, China Spring and many others.
