Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.

3 things to include in your forever home

You are excited about the upcoming renovation, you have so many good ideas and can’t wait to have a space that is finally functional. As much as we like to enjoy the now there should be some thought given to the future especially if you plan to make this your forever home. Many aspects of the design will work for a long time but as you begin to age in place some things may become a problem. By adding a few elements to the design you can ensure that you will enjoy your beautiful, functional home for years to come. This will also save you money as you will have a few adjustments needed later. Let’s talk about five things you should consider having in your design.

Your forever home: Flooring

It’s how we get from room to room, it’s what connects and ties the home together. It could be argued that it is also the most used part of the home and has the most potential to become a hazard over time. When designing for flooring try to make as few and smooth transitions as possible, this will mean less of a chance of tripping later. If you have hardwood flooring it is tempting to include multiple area rugs but be careful as these also can cause you to take an unintended tumble. Consider ones that are slip-resistant such as Vintage vinyl. They have multiple patterns and sizes while giving you peace of mind.

Your forever home: Cabinets

No matter our age we tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it is the one place that we will never outgrow though our accommodations may need to be adjusted. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your forever home.

• Drawers: while people think a kitchen must be a mix of cabinets and drawers, more and more are opting for extra drawers and fewer cabinets in the lower area of the kitchen. It gets harder to bend down to find what you need over time but having everything stored in a drawer where it is easily accessible makes aging in place so much smoother. See one of our kitchen projects that utilized multiple drawers in the design. 
• Lower counters: lowering the countertop a little will make it easier if you or another family member wants to help and are in a wheelchair. This means there is still a sense of freedom. It is possible to only lower one area and not the whole layout – just be sure to ask for this in your design. 
• Pull-out drawers: this will make finding items in your space much easier. Instead of having to pull everything out, you can simply pull the drawer out and have everything easily accessible. 

Little things included in the design now can yield big benefits later in the kitchen design so be sure to talk with your designer about your space and the needs you have.

Your forever home: Bathroom

The bathroom is another area of the home that is used daily and by including a few simple design elements you can ensure that it stays safe for years to come. 

• Walk-in shower: while many enjoy a tub, it is a smart idea to also include a walk-in shower since this makes getting in and out simple. 
• Flooring: before choosing your flooring make sure to check if it has a slip-resistant coating on it since this area can become more dangerous due to the humidity and small puddles.
• Lighting: good lighting ensures that you are able to easily see where you are going and find whatever you are looking for without a problem.

Your designer will also have additional ideas and suggestions that can make this space perfect for you.

Last little details for your forever home

Here are a few other small things to include in your design that will ensure you can stay in your forever home forever.

• Doors: opt for doors that are a little wider and wheelchair accessible plus picking handles over doorknobs makes it much easier to open a door instead of trying to grab a knob.
• One level: as much as we like multi-level homes, a single level home is more practical for the long term and is just as functional when laid out correctly.
• Think simple: it’s easy to purchase a piece of furniture here and another there but this can lead to a space becoming cluttered and hinder pathways. Try to keep the main areas free and clear so that there will be no trip hazards or sharp corners.
• Read here to find a few more tips.

Final thoughts

A home is a place of refuge, it is where we spend time with those we love and make the most memories. It is a place where we should have the freedom to age in place gracefully and by including these design elements you can rest assured that you have all you need to do it. Stop by our showroom and tour our design experiences to learn more. Enjoy a complimentary beverage and schedule an appointment with one of our designers to start renovating your forever home.