When remodeling your home you should think to the future. Do you have an elderly relative that might be moving in at some point or should you be planning for your own future?
A recently released a study that found 75% of the people who currently own homes planned on retiring in them. Its even got a term. Aging in place.
Try to think with the future ahead in mind. Here is some ideas to keep in mind when you are renovating your home.
- Consider a more open more wheelchair friendly layout for your design.
- Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.
- Avoid steps on the main floor if possible.
- Widen doorways to make them wheelchair accessible.
- Try to plan the front entry as low as possible to the ground and eliminate stairs with sloping walks.
- In a bathroom remodel, install extra reinforcement for grab bars and make them handicap accessible.
- Use lever type faucet handles in bathrooms and the kitchen.
- Plan for a lot of storage within easy reach - the area from 20 to 44 inches above the floor and no more than 20 deep.
- When installing cabinets use drawers where possible.
- Make sure that drawers have pulls that are easy to grasp.
- Install lever handles on doors throughout the house.
- Consider hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.
- Place your electric outlets higher than normal and switches lower.
- Consider a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while looking for keys and bringing bags in from a car.
Not only will these upgrades to your home benefit you if you choose to retire in your home, it will also likely make it more appealing should you choose to sell it at some point later.
Bob Current writes about a variety of subjects including home renovations. You can download his free report on Choosing The Best Contractor For Your Renovation at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info.
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