The ‘Silver Tsunami’.. the latest term that refers to our aging population and baby boomer crowd. Everyday approx. 10,000 people turn 65 in North America. This growing population has wants, needs and buying power regarding their homes and interiors.
A big part of meeting these needs is to assist with ‘Aging in Place’, another term for folks that want to stay put in their homes, remain independent and do not want to downsize.
Why the change?
People love their homes, love their neighbourhood, and community. More people want to keep the familiarity, keep the costs down associated with a move, and more extended family’s are living together.
I’ve put together a Quick Guide:
Aging in Place Interior Design Ideas
For your Kitchen
- Open concept and open spaces with ease of manouverability
- Under cabinet strip lighting
- Single touch kitchen faucets
- wall mounted ovens and microwaves
- raised dishwashers
- non-skid and soft touch flooring
For your Bathroom
- Frameless glass shower doors
- Transition free tiled showers
- non-slip tile surfaces (matte)
- accessible vanity
- back lighting mirror
- concealed lighting or strip light under vanity
- grip bars
- voice activated heat sensors & lights
For your Living Room
- motion sensor lights
- secured area rugs (or none at all)
- non-skid surfaces
- wide-door openings of 36″
- additional task lighting
General areas
- lights in stairways (treads lit)
- replace door knobs with levers
- replace cabinet knobs with pulls
- integrated technology and security system and cameras
The reality is that if you are a part of the ‘Silver Tsunami’ and want to stay in your home, now is the time to make these changes, and use this guide to help! Safety and comfort are number one, but form and function do not have to be compromised! Home renovations and remodelling to suit your individual needs and in particular to address specific design criterion, should be done professionally.
Let’s chat!! 🙂
