Lifestyle

Refining & Upgrading Your Home As You Get Older – Without Unsightly Additions!

It’s quite common for those in their later years (or with mobility issues) to implement accessibility measures in their homes. That might include handholds, stairlifts, ramps, and more. Such investments are wise, after all for a house to be a home it must accommodate you now, not an assumed idea of who you are and what you need.

But it’s also true that some homeowners can be concerned about installing such utilities. For example, they might dislike the idea of a bright white handhold nailed to their front door as it might erode the design intent and hard work put into a recent renovation.

Now, utility is certainly the priority here – a home must be accessible and comfortable before it looks good. But is this really an either/or choice? Could it be that you can refine and upgrade your home as you get older, but without those annoying and unsightly upgrades?

In this post, we’ll discuss a few options that may be appropriate for you. Please consider:

Bathroom Renovations

One of the most common accessibility installations for elderly homeowners is walk-in baths and shower units. This way, someone who finds it difficult to enter and exit their bathtub can open a little door, walk in, sit down, and shower more easily, alongside the help of another carer, relative or partner. But as walk-in bathtubs are large and may clash with your current design, they can sometimes look a little bulky and untoward. That’s where using remodeling and design services such as New Bath Technologies alongside your qualified installer can be such a great idea, as they’ll help you install the new fixture without damaging your bathroom’s aesthetic design.

Smart Home Implementation

We tend to think of accessibility through mostly mobility aids, and for good reason. After all, to get around, you have to use your body. But with new smart home technologies, you may find yourself with a few more options. For example, voice-enabled home assistants that control your lighting, your curtains, your coffee machine and other smart appliances, these can be great investments if you can lift a smartphone and use it appropriately, or install an Alexa or Google Home hub. This means you could control your living room without getting up from your armchair, for example. For some individuals, this can be a lifesaver and save a great deal of daily discomfort. Moreover, these installations tend to look sleek and well-fitted in a modern home.

Landscaping

The garden or exterior areas of your property may not be conducive to extra mobility needs. For example, a steep garden, steps leading up to the house, or limited driveway visibility can all be problems that need attention. Landscapers can help you with this, managing better ramps through the landscaping itself, installing better garden paths, and leaving room for other individuals to install handholds, garden parameters and more. They can even help remove problem hedges or refer you to tree surgeons if you need to open up visibility, such as with our driveway example. With that approach, you’ll have developed a mutually beneficial outcome.

With this advice, you’ll be certain to refine and upgrade your household, even as you get older and require additional support.

Feature Image Source: Pexels

One thought on “Refining & Upgrading Your Home As You Get Older – Without Unsightly Additions!

  • These are all great ideas and things that all people should think about doing as they get older. I love the idea of a walk-in bathtub, as they can be so dangerous.

    Reply

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