Spending money on your home for improvements is very common during retirement. The only other things you can spend your money on are luxury cruises or holidays. If you future-proof your home, that would be a good investment with your retirement money.
There are many things you can do to future-proof your home. Let's look at ways you can future-proof your home so your home is prepared for your later years in life.
All One Level
One of the first things you should consider for your home is to have it all on one level. Having stairs in your home can be difficult when you get older as your joints start to ache. That is why living in a house on one level will be more suitable for your premises.
If you don’t want to move house then that is not an issue however, we advise moving important rooms downstairs so it reduces the number of times you have to go upstairs. Additionally, you could consider installing a stair lift that you can use most of the time.
Front Door
Most homes have very narrow door frames that are not suitable for wheelchair access. If possible, try to have a wider door frame so you can fit a wheelchair in your home.
Furthermore, if you require steps to get into your home. It is advised you have a ramp to enter your home as this is much safer.
Another thing to remember with your front door is you must ensure there isn’t anything you can trip over. Many front doors will have a lip that can be easy to catch your foot on. Ensure it is removed to make entering your home much easier and safer.
Another thing to remember with your front door is you must ensure there isn’t anything you can trip over. Many front doors will have a lip that can be easy to catch your foot on. Ensure it is removed to make entering your home much easier and safer.
Additionally, make sure you have a lever door handle instead of a spherical door knob. These are much easier to grip and make it easier to get into your home.
Living Room
The next thing you can improve in your home is your living room. The more space you have in this room, the better, as it stops you from falling over anything.
Additionally, if you require a wheelchair in your later years, more space will be needed to maneuver around your living room.
If you have a large coffee table that can be removed from your living room, then you should. Instead, have a smaller coffee table that is much taller and place it next to your seating area.
The more open space your living room is, the better, so if you can, remove stud walls that are not part of the structure to create the additional space.
The more open space your living room is, the better, so if you can, remove stud walls that are not part of the structure to create the additional space.
Change The Flooring
As you get older, you are more likely to fall over. That is why you need to adjust the architectural features of your home. Reducing the number of steps or ramps in your home is a good way to stop you from falling over.
Additionally, we recommend you aim for softer surfaces instead of hardwood flooring. Rugs are something else that can cause you to fall over more often so remove these if you have any in your home.
When it comes to your kitchen and bathroom, consider removing tiles or wood as this can easily fall on. Instead, get vinyl flooring installed in both rooms to stop you from slipping as much when the floor is wet.
When it comes to your kitchen and bathroom, consider removing tiles or wood as this can easily fall on. Instead, get vinyl flooring installed in both rooms to stop you from slipping as much when the floor is wet.
If you don’t want non-slip tiling in your bathroom, then you can apply non-slip tile coating instead, as this is more cost-effective.
Summary
There are many things you can change in your home to make it safe for when you get older.
Once you have improved your home, then you can improve the luxury of your property such as improving your conservatory, adding new blinds to your home or even getting a luxury garden room installed.
