As you age, the appliances, floor plans, and fixtures in your home can either support your mobility and independence or obstruct it. Working with a custom home builder gives you the opportunity to design a space that suits your lifestyle now and for years to come. Aging-in-place features are designed to maximize functionality and future-proof your home design, allowing your forever home to truly be forever.
Custom homes give you the opportunity to start from the ground up and design a home that will fit both your current and future needs. Here, we’ll discuss some important aspects to consider when building your forever home.
Working With a Custom Home Builder
When building and designing a custom home, collaborating with architects and designers is key. Their knowledge of aging-in-place features is just as important as your shared opinions on color scheme or functionality of spaces. Some architects have a certification for building custom homes that include aging-in-place features. The National Association of Home Builders calls them Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS). As you evaluate a builder or designer, do some research beforehand to see if your prospective architect has achieved that certification or if they have past experience and a solid reputation for building custom homes with aging-in-place features. Come prepared with questions about aging-in-place you’ve researched to see if their skills and expertise align with your vision. Remember that your architect or designer is well-versed in this space, so listen to their advice while still voicing your fears and opinions.
Custom Bathrooms
Aging-in-place features are increasingly important in the bathroom, where slipping and falling is common. You can choose a walk-in shower to minimize the risk of falls when getting in and out of the shower and include a seat if you are unable to stand throughout the entire shower. If you prefer a shower and tub combination, you can install a grab bar into the wall that matches your other fixtures to blend into your design and make this safety feature a permanent element in your bathroom.
Custom Kitchens
In the kitchen, choose appliances, countertops, and cabinets that can age with you. Start by widening the space between opposing surfaces and by lowering your countertops to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. You can then choose a countertop with rounded edges to lessen the risk of injury. When looking for appliances, keep accessibility and safety in mind. Placing your microwave on or under the countertop prevents you from lifting a heavy pot or plate of food over your head. Consider selecting an oven with French doors and a stove with control knobs on the side to avoid leaning over a hot oven door or open flames. These changes may seem minor in the beginning, but they can work together to create a space where you can continue cooking and hosting without fear.
Custom Lighting
In addition, taking extra time to select aging-in-place lighting fixtures and emphasize natural light throughout your home can save headaches in the future. Higher wattage bulbs brighten a space without adding more light fixtures that could make your rooms feel cluttered. Add lampshades or diffusers to control glare while not compromising a well-lit space. And don’t just settle for artificial light. Natural lighting can improve your mood and mental health while illuminating a space. You can install smart lighting and motorized blinds or shades so you can brighten your room at the press of a button.
Custom Flooring
Finally, some flooring is more friendly to you as you age than others. While a great option for the elderly, carpet is impractical for the kitchen or bathroom. Other types of flooring do not prevent injuries in a fall, but some can help to lessen the likelihood of the fall or of severe injury. Hardwood and laminate are smooth and easy to navigate with a wheelchair or walker, but they can be unforgiving in a fall. Although area rugs would cushion your fall, the corners are tripping hazards and should be avoided. To improve your safety, consider including a cork underlay for hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl flooring to provide some cushion. You can also add a non-slip lacquer finish to some hardwood flooring to increase safety. As you review these various types of flooring, lean on the knowledge of your custom home builder to determine which flooring type works best in your home.
