Florida is the United States’ most popular destination for retirees. A quiet coastal town with pleasant year-round temperatures is the perfect place to spend your hard-earned retirement in your dream home. However, building a home for aging occupants is more complicated than the average project. Apply these design tips to make your home both functional and enjoyable.
1. Splurge on Outdoor Spaces
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Every Florida home should have an outdoor recreational space, but this feature is especially important for retirees. Physical activity is essential for healthy aging and helps older people stay independent later in life. The outdoors also provide constant sensory stimulation that keeps their minds sharp. Don’t be afraid to splurge on one or more of these unique spaces:
Walking path
Fruit garden
Pool or hot tub
Outdoor gym
Putting green
Lawn-bowling field
It’s summer in Florida all year long, so you will certainly get your money’s worth from these spaces. Just make sure they provide easily accessible routes to the house and have proper lighting.
Also, remember to add some reliable shade fixtures such as umbrellas and retractable awnings to give yourself a break from the sun.
2. Create an Open Floor Plan
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An open floor plan allows older people to move around their houses more easily. You must create a clutter-free interior design with tight furniture clusters and wide paths for foot traffic. Be mindful of where you place small items like potted plants, as they can become tripping hazards.
The furniture should also be easy to move. Prioritize these lightweight materials:
Aluminum
Plastic
Polymer
Wicker
A house that’s easy to navigate reduces the risk of injuries and encourages you to stay active. Many retirees allow their homes to become cluttered and disorganized, which limits their mobility. Open floor plans will help you remain an engaged homeowner as you age.
3. Fall-Proof the House
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You should also implement other fall-proof design features, especially with the floors and stairs. Falling is one of the leading causes of injuries for older adults, and 65% of falls happen at home around dangerous places like staircases and slippery floors.
Carpets, vinyl, and laminated flooring are the best options because they provide good traction and a slight cushion. These materials are also easy to maintain and look great with all kinds of different interior design styles. You can add them throughout the house without compromising the home’s overall appearance.
Handrails and floor-level lights are great safety additions to your stairs. Add them to every staircase on the property, including the front porch steps and other outdoor areas.
4. Add Handicap-Accessible Features
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You might not have any physical limitations now, but that might change in the future. You should add handicap-accessible features to your home now to avoid having to make renovations later. The bathroom and kitchen should be your top priorities:
Bathrooms: Taller toilets for better balance, non-skid floor tiles, curbless bathtubs, shower grab bars, etc.
Kitchens: Pull-down and sliding shelves, full-extension drawers, shorter cabinet and counter heights, extra lighting, etc.
Having these safety features also opens up your home to other retirees. Florida communities are often full of people in the 60+ age range. If you want to host a dinner party, your home will be fully accessible to your guests.
5. Prepare for Tropical Storms
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Florida weather is beautiful most of the time, but a tropical storm rolls through on occasion. Keep these preventive measures in mind as you design your home:
Reinforce the roof, garage, basement, and other vulnerable areas with weatherproof materials.
Install a surge protector or another alternative energy source in case your home loses power during a storm.
Anchor outdoor items like lawn furniture and potted plants to the ground with a secure device.
Keep the vegetation’s growth under control to prevent damage from broken branches.
No matter where you live in Florida, you can expect to face at least one nasty thunderstorm per year. These small efforts will protect your property and keep you safe.
Enjoy Your Retirement in a Safe, Stylish Home
There’s no reason you should sacrifice your home’s style for extra safety because of your age. You can enjoy your retirement in a safe and stylish home by prioritizing these five design ideas. They will keep you healthy and enable you to stay independent throughout your retirement.
