Architecture
10 Points to Consider if You're Looking for a Forever Home
Ensure a smoother transition into old age by choosing a home that will serve you well for the long haul
Hunting for a house that will work for you now and allow you to stay safely and comfortably in your home as you grow older is no easy feat. If you’re looking to age in place, consider ticking off these 10 items on your home-buying wish list. They will help you stay in your home for many years to come.
Bonus: lever door handles
Lever handles are easier to use than knobs, so if the house already has these installed, it’s a plus. If not, this is a fairly inexpensive change to make, so it doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker.
Lever handles are easier to use than knobs, so if the house already has these installed, it’s a plus. If not, this is a fairly inexpensive change to make, so it doesn’t need to be a deal-breaker.
3. Table-height kitchen seating
Traditional kitchen island bench seating can be too difficult to use as we age – and the fall from a higher seat is also more dangerous. Look for a kitchen with some table-height seating, or room to place a kitchen table.
Traditional kitchen island bench seating can be too difficult to use as we age – and the fall from a higher seat is also more dangerous. Look for a kitchen with some table-height seating, or room to place a kitchen table.
4. Drawers and pullouts
Being able to pull out shelves to reach exactly what you need is a huge help, so look for a kitchen with plenty of drawers and pullouts. This is something you can add to a kitchen in the future, but since the cost of kitchen renovations adds up quickly, finding a home with a well-designed kitchen already in place is a huge advantage.
Being able to pull out shelves to reach exactly what you need is a huge help, so look for a kitchen with plenty of drawers and pullouts. This is something you can add to a kitchen in the future, but since the cost of kitchen renovations adds up quickly, finding a home with a well-designed kitchen already in place is a huge advantage.
5. Ample clearance
Look for a home with plenty of clearance in halls and passages if you want to be able to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. The minimum manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user to comfortably make a 60 to 90 degree turn is 150 by 150 centimetres while a 90 to 180 degree turn requires 207 by 154 centimetres. For this reason, choose a L- or U-shaped kitchen over a galley layout.
Bonus: easy-grab cabinet pulls
Wide, easy-to-grab cabinet and drawer pulls are something else to be on the lookout for. This style is easier to grasp than small knobs and pulls. However, if the kitchen is otherwise accessible and well-designed, swapping out knobs for handles is a pretty simple change to make.
Kitchen Confidential: 10 Ways to Promote Ageing in Place
Look for a home with plenty of clearance in halls and passages if you want to be able to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. The minimum manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user to comfortably make a 60 to 90 degree turn is 150 by 150 centimetres while a 90 to 180 degree turn requires 207 by 154 centimetres. For this reason, choose a L- or U-shaped kitchen over a galley layout.
Bonus: easy-grab cabinet pulls
Wide, easy-to-grab cabinet and drawer pulls are something else to be on the lookout for. This style is easier to grasp than small knobs and pulls. However, if the kitchen is otherwise accessible and well-designed, swapping out knobs for handles is a pretty simple change to make.
Kitchen Confidential: 10 Ways to Promote Ageing in Place
6. Elevator
A single-storey home makes a great choice for ageing in place, but if you do go for a multi-storey home, be sure it has a safe staircase with secure banisters and, ideally, an elevator as well. Elevators are extremely costly to add to a home, so if you choose a two-storey (or more) home that doesn’t already have an elevator, factor the cost into your planning.
A single-storey home makes a great choice for ageing in place, but if you do go for a multi-storey home, be sure it has a safe staircase with secure banisters and, ideally, an elevator as well. Elevators are extremely costly to add to a home, so if you choose a two-storey (or more) home that doesn’t already have an elevator, factor the cost into your planning.
7. No-threshold shower
A ledge-free shower (ie one without a rim or step to get over) is easier and safer to use. Grab bars can always be added later, but if the basic design is accessible, you won’t have to do a major redesign down the road.
See more ledge-free showers
A ledge-free shower (ie one without a rim or step to get over) is easier and safer to use. Grab bars can always be added later, but if the basic design is accessible, you won’t have to do a major redesign down the road.
See more ledge-free showers
8. Main-floor powder room
If the home has more than one storey, be sure there is at least a half bath on the main floor that doesn’t require climbing any stairs to reach. Some powder rooms can be quite tiny, so look for a powder room with enough clearance to easily manoeuvre a walker or wheelchair into the space.
If the home has more than one storey, be sure there is at least a half bath on the main floor that doesn’t require climbing any stairs to reach. Some powder rooms can be quite tiny, so look for a powder room with enough clearance to easily manoeuvre a walker or wheelchair into the space.
9. Convenient laundry
Having the washing machine and dryer near the bedroom and main bathroom means less distance to carry the laundry basket. At the very least, look for laundry hookups on the main floor of the house rather than in the garage.
10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
Having the washing machine and dryer near the bedroom and main bathroom means less distance to carry the laundry basket. At the very least, look for laundry hookups on the main floor of the house rather than in the garage.
10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
10. Accessible outdoor space
A home with an easily accessed, no-stairs-required outdoor space is a big plus. Look for a deck, patio or porch with direct access from the indoor living space. Even better? Large windows or French doors so you can enjoy the view even when you’re relaxing inside.
Tell us
Are you planning to age in place? What features do you have and love (or wish you had) in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Browse more patio spaces
A home with an easily accessed, no-stairs-required outdoor space is a big plus. Look for a deck, patio or porch with direct access from the indoor living space. Even better? Large windows or French doors so you can enjoy the view even when you’re relaxing inside.
Tell us
Are you planning to age in place? What features do you have and love (or wish you had) in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Browse more patio spaces
A well-lit, step-free approach to the house is essential to allow access for wheelchairs and walkers. Also, look for an entry that is sheltered from the elements and has room for seating both outside and inside the door, for resting or setting down bags.