When you consider the term “aging-in-place,” what do you picture? Grab bars? Ramps? Stair lifts? If so, you should update your imagination to include beautiful spaces featuring modern luxuries and stunning materials that ensure safety and independence. Aging in place home renovations enhance your quality of life and empower your home to serve you for years to come. So, whether you’re planning for retirement or need more accessibility now, you can transform your home with stylish, functional aging in place updates that are perfect for Northeast Ohio’s distinct climate. Learn how in this article so your home can be safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Definition of Aging in Place
Aging-in-place home design focuses on creating spaces that are accessible for individuals of all ages and abilities, particularly as they get older. Instead of focusing on basic safety features that only work for the elderly, aging-in-place remodeling aims to improve usability and convenience for everyone in the home. You can infuse any home remodeling project with aging in place home modifications that prepare your home for the future or make your life easier in the present.
Essential Aging in Place Home Renovations
Some of the most popular aging-in-place remodeling ideas look gorgeous and feel good for everyone. These ideas include:
Curbless Showers with Modern Tilework
Curbless showers are a staple of aging-in-place bathroom design. But they’ve become so clean and chic that they’re officially trending. With smooth, wide-open entrances and custom tilework, curbless showers eliminate trip hazards and create a spa-like feel in your bathroom. Your bathroom will be more accessible and feel more spacious with an elegant curbless shower.
Integrated Grab Bars for Elegance and Safety
Grab bars keep you safe. But they don’t have to be obvious. Modern grab bars blend seamlessly into your home’s design. Towel racks, shower valve trims, shower shelves, toilet paper holders, and more can double as grab bars. There are even stylish, hidden options for walls and showers. So, you don’t have to put up with an eyesore just to be safe.
Accessible Kitchens with Modern Features
The kitchen is the heart of the home. And with an accessible kitchen, you can continue cooking, cleaning, and enjoying time with loved ones well into the future. Accessible kitchens work for everyone regardless of height, strength, or age. Features such as pull-out shelves, easy access sinks, multi-height countertops, and more enable anyone to use your kitchen with comfort and convenience.
Reasons to Start Aging in Place Home Renovations
You might think it’s too soon to turn a home remodel into an age in place home remodel. But the sooner you begin aging in place home renovations, the better. Aging in place remodeling offers a range of benefits, such as:
1. More Time and Fewer Fees
Aging in place home renovations don’t happen overnight. Making your home more accessible can take several months. And if you wait to start an age in place home remodel until you desperately need one, you won’t have several months to spare. You’ll be scrambling to find the right design-build company, schedule the work, and choose materials, which is not good. But by planning ahead, you’ll have more time to book the best home remodeling company, make your selections, and enjoy a smooth project.
2. Instant Enjoyment
One wonderful result of aging in place home renovations is immediate pampering from a more comfortable home. Elements such as pull-out shelves, accessible countertops, and easy-to-reach sinks simplify everyday tasks for everyone. You can relish these upgrades for years before you need them when you start an age in place home remodel now.
3. Perfect Seasonal Timing
Spring is the ideal remodeling season. Contractors are fully booked by summer, so spring scheduling offers more flexible dates and fewer delays. Plus, materials like custom cabinetry and specialty fixtures move faster through supply chains during the spring. Such speed affords you better options and shorter lead times. If you want specific high-end materials for your remodel, spring is the best time to procure them.
The Safety and Luxury of Aging in Place Home Renovations
An accessible home doesn’t have to look stark or clinical. Plenty of aging in place features secure your safety while enhancing your home’s beauty and luxury. Some of the most luxurious accessible updates for your home include:
Accessible Warming Drawers and Countertops
Warming drawers keep your food at just the right temperature until you’re ready to eat it. During aging in place home renovations, you can place warming drawers at an accessible height so everyone can use them. You can also incorporate a multi-height countertop layout that lets you customize the space for any user. A low countertop spot welcomes younger and older loved ones into your kitchen.
Adjustable Lighting
Lighting is crucial for accessibility. Adjustable lighting uses sensors to change according to the time of day. When your lighting adjusts for you, it reduces strain on your eyes. Bright lighting illuminates morning routines, while soft lighting induces evening relaxation.
Smart Appliances
Tech enthusiasts love a smart home, but aging-in-place homeowners can benefit from one as well. People of all ages find their homes easier to manage with voice-activated systems, automatic refrigerators, and touch-activated appliances. By helping you turn the lights on, check the oven temperature, and more, these devices empower you to live more safely and efficiently.
Local Insights for Aging in Place Home Renovations in Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio’s unique climate encompasses cold winters, hot summers, and regular humidity. Such weather affects your home’s materials, so you must consider it during aging in place home renovations. You want a durable and comfortable home that lasts, so this local knowledge is critical for a successful age-in-place remodel.
For example, humidity in our region can warp wood over time. For this reason, you need moisture-resistant materials for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Remodeling older Northeast Ohio homes may also require widening doorways or reinforcing walls to accommodate aging-in-place.
The Best Team for Aging in Place Home Renovations
With aging in place home renovations, you’ll experience a more convenient, comfortable, and beautiful home that safely supports your current and future lifestyle. And when you start your home remodel soon, especially during the spring, you’ll enjoy more flexibility, better material availability, and smoother project execution. Contact Capozzi today to receive the aging in place home renovations that make your house work for you now and forever.
