How To Create A Home To Last A Lifetime That Makes Sense and Cents

Add rollouts to existing base cabinets provides greater accessibility.

Everyone wants to ensure that any dollars they spend on their homes will return some kind of return on that investment. Our clients are certainly no different whether they are in Phoenix or Park City, Houston or Palm Beach.  

If there is one thing that will increase the value of one's home, it is to make certain changes that will permit the spaces to last a long time.  And if you're a baby boomer, one way to accomplish those ideals is to adapt a home to respond to the challenges of aging.   

Aging may be a bummer for some but your home doesn't have to make one feel old and feeble, too.  

Creating spaces to open up pathways between rooms such as creating wider door openings thru the use of off-set hinges, changing door knobs to door levers and installing additional lighting in task-intensive areas are all pretty easy fixes. But there are additional ways to increase safety and security no matter the design, age or ability and ones that don't cost a lot of dollars or time.  

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Topical treatments will increase traction when wet.

Here are three simple things that will make sense, ensure a measure of safety over a lifetime and without spending a lot of cents. 

(1) Add roll-outs to existing base cabinets in the kitchen.  They will provide easier access to those pots and pans.  Start by measuring the interior of the cabinets and then making a visit to the local big box lumber stores for ready made, easy to assemble drawers.  You'll appreciate the convenience and accessibility. 

(2) Make sure that tile and stone floors have topical treatments that increase the traction when the surfaces are wet.  These products are often used in commercial interiors such as lobbies and offices.  They are easy to apply and go on with a brush or roller. 

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Select chairs where arms come out to the very front.

and (3) being wise about the kind of chairs.  Choose seating where the arms of chairs ( sofas, loveseats and chaises, too ) come out to the front edge of the piece.  

Getting into a comfy chair may not be much of a problem but getting out may be another issue all together.  And as we age, we tend to loose upper body strength... so being able to grab the front edge of an arm will certainly help in getting to the front of the seat and then it will be easier to have a place to position your hands to raise the body up and out of the chair. 

So there you have it, three simple, easy ideas that will make your space more comfortable, add a measure of security to the home and provide a quick return on the expenditures. 

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