If you’re counting down to retirement in the next couple of years, you’ll soon be discovering your newfound freedom with fewer obligations. If you’re part of the 77% of Americans over the age of 50 that want to stay in their current home as they age, use this time to make improvements to your home that can be enjoyed for years to come. Your golden years should be spent doing the things you love, with a beautiful yet comfortable space to come home to. Here are four things to consider when preparing your forever home.
1. Prioritize Your Needs & Wants
When getting your home ready for the golden years, think about what activities you want to spend more time doing. For example, if you plan on rekindling your love of cooking or baking, consider a kitchen upgrade such as optimized counter space, or add a versatile extension such as a kitchen island. Alternatively, if your goal is to have more time for relaxing and entertaining, perhaps a backyard oasis or outdoor dining area is more your style. Think about long-term affordability, safety, health, comfort and convenience.
2. Year-Round Comfort
Increase your home comfort levels with resilient flooring that’s soft on the feet, such as cork or carpet. Consider heated flooring in the bathroom. Add insulation to your walls and attic to help maintain temperature levels and keep you comfortable year-round. Check for telltale signs that you need to replace your windows. Energy-efficient windows will help create a more comfortable home while saving you money on energy bills. Lastly, ensure that you have a healthy home, free of toxins and pests.
3. Low-Maintenance Options
With an active lifestyle, you may have less time for home cleaning and maintenance. If you’re planning to replace your siding, vinyl siding or composite cladding are excellent options that require minimal maintenance. Rethink your landscaping and consider plants that require minimal pruning and watering. If repainting rooms in your home, washable paint will be easiest to clean. If replacing your kitchen benches or bathroom vanities, engineered quartz is a low-maintenance counter surface that we love.
4. Quick Upgrades
If you’re not ready for the big-ticket items, upgrading your door hardware and plumbing fixtures is a quick and easy way to add value and style to your home. Consider updating your front door hardware, kitchen cabinets and bathroom tapware. Lever handles not only look incredibly trendy but are also easier to use than knobs. We also recommend swapping out any dated light switches with larger, on-trend rocker switches.