Updating or changing your home interior as you get older doesn’t need to be expensive or stressful. In fact, making adaptations and clearing out clutter can save you time and energy and make your home a safer and more comfortable place to enjoy for many years to come.
An RBC survey found that 91% of Canadian baby boomers want to stay in their homes as they grow older. For many seniors, this may mean making some adaptations or updating the decor and the effort and potential costs involved can sometimes be off putting. However, it doesn’t need to be stressful or cost a lot of money to give your decor a sense of individuality, make smart changes to remove hazards and provide a calm, comfortable living space for easy enjoyment.
Easy and Inexpensive Updates
Many people are reluctant to make changes to their home because they feel it will be too expensive. At a time when you may not have as much disposable income and you are maintaining a careful budget, it can seem daunting to think about how much redecorating may cost. However, designing a practical yet stylish home doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Soft furnishings are easy and inexpensive to update and can give a whole new feel to a room without making major changes. Adding cushions and throws in bright, sunny yellow or serene green will add a fresh, vibrant feel to a room while at the same time providing warmth and comfort.
Creating A Feeling of Space
Minimizing clutter and getting rid of excess furniture is free to do and the resulting clean, simple lines will help you move around more freely, even with physical impairments. Although making changes and sorting through treasured memories can be stressful, it can make the house much easier to manage and keep clean and tidy. However, displaying just a few selected ornaments and family photographs on a new, sleek sideboard can still retain a homely feel and evoke happy memories. With the simple addition of ornate mirrors on the walls you can also add a touch of glamour, reflect light and give the illusion of space without taking up room.
Practical and Stylish Additions
As we get older, our needs change and certain additions to our homes can make them more practical. However, senior living spaces don’t have to give up style for functionality. Essential features like ambient and bright task lighting can still be fashionable and attractive and for flooring, a soft carpet is easy on the feet and reduces the risk of slips and falls on rugs and polished boards. In a classic, neutral tone, it will provide the perfect background for a richly upholstered reclining chair, classic dark wood furniture or a quirky but practical coffee table.
Article by Sally Writes, Ambience Design Group