The term “aging in place” has been widely used to talk about elderly people who have chosen to live by themselves in their own homes for as long as they can.

The National Home Builders Association and AARP have stated that over the next five years, the aging “baby boomer” population of the United States will have the second biggest impact on the remodeling industry over many other factors.

In these cases, it is necessary to do certain remodeling work in their homes to make them fit these seniors’ changing needs as they get older.

But, once you decide it is time to remodel your home to make it safer and more accessible to age in place, what exactly should you change?  Here is a list of the most important changes a home for the elderly requires:

1.    General floor plan
Of course it is best if your home is a one story building; however, if you live in a two story house, think about building a master bedroom suite downstairs, maybe transform the seldom used dinning room or study.  It is best if you build an adjacent bathroom, because as you age, it will get harder to move around and having your basic needs on hand is crucial.

2.    Bathroom
No matter where the bathroom is, it most definitely will need some adjustments to make it safer for elderly people.  Install grab bars around the bathing and toilet areas, and substitute your traditional bathtub for one with a step in type, which will help reduce the risk of slips and falls.

3.    Kitchen
If as a senior you want to be independent, you will most certainly be cooking and staying active in the kitchen.  This is why it is important to make it a friendly space.  Your upper wall cabinets should be installed no less than three inches lower than they normally are. This will prevent you from making a great effort to reach them or using a treacherous step stool.  The way to the kitchen should be kept open and free of objects or furniture.

4.    Flooring
Get rid of any slippery tile or high sheen surfaces.  Equally, a carpet can be very dangerous if it has a pile deeper than half and inch and is not installed with the appropriate padding.  In any case, to be safe, have any new flooring installed by professionals to make sure it has been properly secured in place.

5.    Exteriors
The exterior is as important as the interior.  There should be proper lighting outside for security reasons, and many people install a flashing emergency light to make sure emergency services find the house easily in case they have to.  Every path should be well lit, and every step should have solid hand rails and anti slip mats.

To ensure a professional, reliable, and safe job, consider talking to a Seattle interior designer; she knows what it takes to ensure your safety, your comfort, and your autonomy once the golden years arrive.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

There is always a good reason to want more space at home, and during hard economic times, it may be easier and more budget-friendly to add to your current home than to sell and find a bigger place.

However, how do you decide what to do?  Should you finish the attic?  Turn the basement into an apartment?  Build a completely new addition to your home?

The best option will depend on your home, your needs, and the budget you have to work with.  Here we give you a list of the advantages and the disadvantages for the three options mentioned above:

Option one- Basement remodeling
The basement is a very large open space that offers tons of different and interesting opportunities.  Your basement could become a full apartment, a playroom, a guest room, an office, an entertainment center, or a gym, among a variety of options.  The amount of money you have to spend is the decisive factor.

Basements have an important inconvenience: moisture.  Before beginning any basement remodeling, you have to make sure the space is protected against moisture; otherwise, you will have wasted your money and time.  A good interior designer will help you find the best solution for any moisture condition you may have to solve.

Option two- Attic remodeling
Remodeling the attic may be more difficult than remodeling the basement because of the low ceilings.  A very good design is needed to ensure the space is taken full advantage of while making it look beautiful and ensuring it is safe.

Attic floors may require reinforcing or replacing to support the weight of new furniture and regular traffic, and stairs may be needed to make the attic easily accessible.  These are all aspects that may discourage you to pursue an attic remodeling project; however, when they are done, attics turn out to be one of the favorite places for family members to hang around, because they become cozy and beautiful spaces.

Option three- Room building
To add an entirely new area to your house may be, by far, the most expensive option; nevertheless, it is the one that will add more value to your house if it is done right.

One of the preferred ways to add more space to a home when building a new room is by building a sunroom or enclosed patio, which offers a different and pleasing option of family room or place to throw parties.

If you decide to build a new room, you will most definitely need the help of a professional interior designer, because no matter where you live, there will always be permit issues and construction standards that you will have to meet.  Interior designers in Seattle take care of everything for you; they ensure your project runs smoothly in the practical, technical, and creative sides.

The most important thing after making the decision is doing it right, thus, find the right help, and make your home a better place to live.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Any remodeling project causes interference in a household’s daily routine, but a major one can result in total chaos and even threaten your sanity.  Once cabinets are ripped out, walls come down, and wiring is exposed, suddenly you are wondering why you decided to go through such hell, since you cannot even imagine how the place will look in the end.  You basically trust your interior designer and her experience to get you through the project without going nuts and in one piece.

There is no question about it, a home remodeling project can be stressful; however, the right guidance and the following advice can make the process easier on you and your whole family:

-    Design a plan to keep your daily routine working
Even though you are living in a chaotic environment, you still have to cook, wash clothes, and take a shower.  If staying at a hotel or with a relative is not an option, you have to design a practical plan to live at home while the work is being done, and you have to do this before the interior designer and her crew start tearing down walls.  You could adapt a new temporary kitchen in another room while remodeling is taking place there, or ask a friend or neighbor to allow you to shower at their house if water has to be turned off for several days.  Knowing what you will do when your home is not livable will give you peace of mind.

-    Keep an eye on the clutter
Of course there will be a mess while the project is underway; however, the loads of trash and dust that come out daily should be taken care of immediately.  Before remodeling begins, talk to your interior designer about this, and make sure you have clarity, and that everyone knows, how trash should be handled.

-    Protect your valuables
Even if your interior designer is the best and most careful one out there, dust will surely spread all over your house.  Ensure all your furniture and electronics are well protected against dust, or remove them if necessary.  You can choose a room away from the chaos to put everything for the duration of the project, lock it up and make sure everyone understands that that area is out of bounds.  In this way, you will feel comfort in knowing that your things are safe.

-    Keep an eye on things
Whether you are living elsewhere or at home during the remodeling project, you have to talk to your interior designer every day, and even several times a day, to make sure everything is going smoothly.  This will help you feel in control of what is happening right now and know what’s coming next.

If you live in the Seattle area, contact experienced interior designers in Seattle. You can rest assured you will remain sane no matter how huge your remodeling project is.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

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