According to recent data, seniors account for about 13% of the Greater Vancouver population. Province-wide projections indicate that this number will grow significantly over the years to come. Given that you’re searching for information on interior design for senior living, the assumption is that you’re a part of this growing group. From this census information a number of other assumptions are often made about quality of life desires regarding living environments. We’re tossing the stereotypes out of the window, and instead are showing our “elders” the respect that they (you?) have earned.
That’s right, you intend to live your so-called Golden Years in reasonable opulence. While you realize that adjustments may need to be made to your home to make it more “livable” you have no intention of sacrificing luxury along the way. This is where our boutique interior design studio comes in. Calvert Interior Design specializes in customizing detached family homes and condos alike. You can reach out today for a FREE phone consultation, or first read below for insight regarding key considerations for your soon-to-be enhanced interior.
3 INTERIOR DESIGN UPGRADES TO ENHANCE SENIOR LIVING FOR YOUR HOME IN GREATER VANCOUVER BC
Age-in-Place Interior Design
You may have heard of the age-in-place (AIP) concept that applies to home renovations which must also factor in interior design. AIP implies that a home should be updated to consider not just functional accessibility needs of today, but those of tomorrow as certain basic activities become more challenging. Simply put, you may have no issue stepping out of the bathtub today, but you may in a few years from now.
Factor in interior design when making AIP upgrades. For instance, interior design for bathroom renovations may need to address lower countertops, closer faucets, and accessible showers. Interior design for kitchen renovations may also address lower countertops and appliance installations, slip resistant flooring, and more. When these sorts of functional alterations are made, the aesthetic needs to be adjusted as well. This is where AIP contractors operating on their own generally fail.
The last thing you want is for your AIP renovation to leave your home feeling like an assisted living facility. Interior design for senior living will ensure that this doesn’t occur. Instead, you will enjoy both functional and aesthetic upgrades that make your luxury space more usable and enjoyable.
Partitioning Space for Rambunctious Guests
Do you have grandkids? If so, you know that no matter how much you adore and spoil them, there are certain parts of your home that you want to make off limits to their rambunctious nature. While movable room dividers can help, they invariably create clutter and can be a hazardous obstacle that impacts the functional flow in your home.
An interior designer can instead delineate space between rooms (kitchen, dining, living, etc.) by installing permanent to semi-permanent space partitions that limit access without putting up outright walled barriers.
How may this be accomplished? Permanent installations needn’t be from floor to ceiling. They can be installed to be between waist and chest high so that the eye continues to perceive an open space. Avoid opaque installations that use concrete, wood, and metal, and instead use translucent partitions made from semi-transparent materials. These obscure the background enough to define lines between rooms, but allow light to come through. When it comes to semi-permanent installations, sliding hanging room dividers give you the option to segment spaces when your beloved grandchildren come over for a short or extended stay.
Interior Design Upgrades that Lower Annual Expenditure
Fixed income is fixed income, no matter how significant it may be. Consequently, you appreciate a home that can help lower the overall cost of ownership and living. Modern interior design upgrades consider this.
For example, your interior designer can take steps to open up access to natural light in the rooms that you spend the most time in. This can be made possible via mechanized blind installations along with removal of light-blocking partitions, and more. As a result, you reduce reliance on artificial lighting which will reduce your utilities expenditure. Furthermore, your interior design can suggest Smart LED fixtures with motion detection that further lower cost of lighting.
An interior design can further reduce energy expenditure by adding features that reduce dependency on HVAC, such as insulated drapery, energy efficient water features, Smart thermostats, energy efficient fireplaces, and even things as seemingly simple as furniture accessories such as warm and cozy slip covers and throws.
Over time, the money you can save on energy expenditure will end up paying for your initial investment in interior design. And once that money has come back to you, you may start planning for extra vacations!
Ready to upgrade the design of your home or condo for optimal senior living? If it’s located in the Greater Vancouver BC area, call Calvert Design Studio for a FREE 20-minute phone consultation.
EMAIL INFO@CALVERTDESIGN.CA