7 Simple Home Updates Boomers Should Consider In Retirement
Thinking about ways to make your home more comfortable and practical as you enjoy retirement? A few thoughtful updates can improve daily living, enhance safety, and keep your space feeling fresh without major renovations.
From subtle style changes to functional upgrades, these ideas are all about making your home work better for you in the years ahead.
The information in this article is based on general home design and lifestyle considerations for older adults; individual needs, budgets, and preferences will vary.
1. Grab Bars That Don’t Scream ‘Old Person’
Gone are the days of clinical-looking safety features! Modern grab bars come disguised as elegant towel racks, stylish shower shelves, and decorative bathroom accessories.
The secret? Nobody will ever guess they’re actually helping you stay steady.
Grab bars should be installed near toilets, in showers, and along hallways where balance might be an issue. These sturdy helpers can prevent those nasty falls that send too many retirees to the hospital each year.
2. Lever-Style Door Handles For Achy Hands
How many times have you wrestled with a doorknob when your hands weren’t cooperating? Lever handles are the unsung heroes of accessibility, requiring just a push rather than a grip-and-twist motion.
Swapping out those old-fashioned round knobs takes about 15 minutes per door and instantly makes your home more arthritis-friendly. Plus, they look sleeker and more modern than their spherical predecessors. A win-win for function and style!
3. Smart Lighting That Prevents Midnight Tumbles
Those midnight bathroom trips shouldn’t feel like navigating an obstacle course! Motion-activated lighting can illuminate your path without blinding you or disturbing your sleep-ready brain.
Install these clever lights along hallways, stairways, and in bathrooms. They detect movement and provide just enough glow to see clearly without fumbling for switches.
Some even connect to your smartphone, allowing you to control brightness and scheduling from the comfort of your favorite chair.
4. A Curbless Shower You’ll Thank Yourself For
Though it seems minor, that shower threshold becomes Mount Everest as we age. Curbless showers eliminate the step-over hazard while giving your bathroom a sleek, spa-like appearance that actually increases home value.
These zero-entry showers make bathing safer and more comfortable. Add a built-in bench and handheld showerhead for the ultimate aging-in-place upgrade. Your future self will send thank-you notes for this forward-thinking renovation!
5. Kitchen Drawers Instead Of Lower Cabinets
Whoever invented lower kitchen cabinets clearly never experienced knee pain! Swapping those awkward, dig-to-the-back cabinets for smooth-gliding drawers eliminates the need to kneel or bend deeply.
Pull-out drawers bring everything within easy reach and organize your kitchen tools more efficiently. Large, deep drawers can hold pots and pans, while shallower ones work perfectly for utensils and smaller items. This simple switch makes cooking less of a treasure hunt and more of a pleasure.
6. Raised Garden Beds For Green Thumbs
If kneeling in dirt has become a painful ordeal rather than a joy, elevated garden beds will revolutionize your outdoor hobby. These waist-high planters eliminate bending while keeping your favorite activities blooming.
Raised beds can be built or purchased in various heights, widths, and materials to suit your space and style. Some even come with built-in benches for rest breaks between pruning sessions.
Your back will celebrate while your flowers and vegetables thrive at a comfortable working height.
7. Entry Ramp Disguised As A Stylish Deck
Where others see accessibility, I see an opportunity for curb appeal! A gradually sloping walkway or deck can eliminate troublesome steps while enhancing your home’s entrance.
Thoughtfully designed ramps blend seamlessly with landscaping and architecture when built with attractive materials like composite decking or natural stone.
Add potted plants, built-in seating, or decorative railings to create an inviting entryway that welcomes visitors of all mobility levels, including the future you with grocery bags or luggage.
