Enjoying the golden years living in a “forever home” is a goal many homeowners share. To achieve this, a well-thought-out floor plan is crucial. It should prioritize accessibility, safety and convenience, allowing seniors to maintain independence and quality of life. Accessible remodeling contractor DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of The Woodlands highlights certain points to keep in mind when crafting the perfect aging-in-place floor plan.
Open Layouts
Easy movement and flow throughout the living spaces are possible with an open floor plan that utilizes wide doorways and spacious rooms. This means no narrow corridors and cramped spaces that seniors may find hard to navigate. This also means more interaction among family members, creating a warmer, more inviting living environment.
Single-Level Living
An ideal floor plan for an accessible remodeling project involves minimizing or eliminating stairs and allowing for easy access to all areas of the home while lowering the risk of injury due to falls or mobility issues. Taking this into account when designing a floor plan can help enhance your home’s safety and convenience significantly.
Bathroom and Kitchen Accessibility
These highly-utilized rooms are critical areas for aging in place. Bathrooms, for instance, need to have grab bars, slip-resistant flooring and either a walk-in shower or bathtub to boost accessibility for the elderly. As for kitchens, countertops have to be lowered, and features such as pull-out shelves and lever-style faucets have to be installed. Such modifications promote not just safety but also independent living, and must be accounted for when obtaining a kitchen or bathroom quote.
Multifunctional Spaces
Make sure your aging-in-place remodel also includes designing multifunctional spaces, or rooms that adapt to one’s changing needs. A guest room, for example, could double as a home office or a caregiver’s room when necessary.
Lighting Essentials
Seniors with eyesight problems need to navigate living spaces safely and confidently, which is why adequate lighting must be included in the floor plan. In addition to task lighting in the bathroom and kitchen, installing motion-activated lights in hallways and in other rooms help minimize the occurrence of accidents.
Wider Hallways
Speaking of hallways, these areas must be widened to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids. Incorporating these into the floor plan also helps create a more open and inviting atmosphere.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Crafting the ideal floor plan for aging in place is possible with Independence by Design™ from DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of The Woodlands! Our design professionals create safe and independent living spaces while fulfilling your individual needs. Find out why our name pops up when you look up “general contractor near me” online. Get started by calling (832) 743-2571 or filling out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve homeowners in Tomball, Spring, Conroe, and the surrounding areas.
