Aging in Style: How Elderly Decor Transforms Living Spaces

It doesn’t matter if you have a big space or a small one, what counts is making the most of every inch of your home. Even if you don’t have an eye for interior design, there are plenty of simple ways you can make your home more attractive, functional, and better suited to a senior’s needs. To get started, take a look at some of the decorating tips listed below.

Why Decorating Matters to Seniors

Whether you’re moving to a new home or just looking to spruce up your new one, paying attention to every aspect of your interior decor is crucial. That’s especially true for seniors, who benefit from a clean and well-kept space to maximize mobility and improve mental health. There are plenty of ways older adults can benefit from a redesigned room:

• Reduce tripping hazards to improve fall prevention
• Organize your home to keep must-have items on hand
• Personalize an otherwise unfamiliar space
• Brighten and beautify your space to improve mental health

Decorating Tips for an Attractive and Functional Home

If you’re ready to change up the decor of your home, there are plenty of factors to consider. You don’t have to tackle all of them at once. Instead, try choosing a few priorities to guide your long-term redesign plans.

• Keep Mobility in Mind

  It’s a good idea to make your home as safe and easy to navigate as possible. That means keeping walking paths clear and open, with plenty of room to move around, especially if you use a mobility aid. If rooms feel cluttered, see what you can remove and look for more compact furniture options.

  Clutter is another important issue to consider when improving mobility in your home. In some cases, this might mean incorporating more storage into your home. In other cases, you might consider getting rid of unnecessary items. Unused kitchen gadgets, extra clothes, and underappreciated knick-knacks are all good candidates for donating or gifting to family.

• Stay Organized

  If you’re already working on decluttering your home, staying organized goes hand-in-hand. This can be as simple as installing a coat rack near your front door or adding a filing cabinet into one of your closets. B cy staying organized, you can keep items out of your daily living space while also ensuring their readily at hand when you need them.

  If you’re working with limited space, it can be a little trickier to get the storage area you need. However, a bit of creative thinking can help solve this problem. Look for furniture options that add a bit of storage, like side tables with drawers or a coffee table with a top that reveals some space inside. Don’t forget to take advantage of under-bed space, with large plastic bins that can be used to store items long-term.

• Add a Personal Touch

  While the practical side of design is crucial to simplify your life, don’t forget that the other half is all about infusing your home with personality. There is no end to the different personal touches you can add to your living space, and what you choose is totally up to you.

  Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Fill shelves and empty spaces with the right amount of keepsakes, photos, and family heirlooms.
• Buy a plant to fill a lonely corner of your living room.
• Don’t forget the lighting. Making sure your home is well-lit will ensure it feels more spacious and inviting.
• By a frame for any of your favorite family photos and hang it in a prominent place in a frequented room.
• To transform a space, pick a light and airy color and repaint the walls. Going light and bright will help the room feel larger.
• If after that your home still feels empty, you might consider getting a pet to keep you company.

• Choose Furniture Carefully

  When choosing furniture for your room, it’s important to avoid clutter. Make sure to leave enough space to move around freely while still offering plenty of seating and storage options. Seniors also need to think about how well individual pieces of furniture support their mobility and overall health.

  Seating
  Look for chairs that are comfortable and have sturdy armrests to help offer support. It can also be a good idea to keep in mind that chairs higher off the ground are easier to lift out of. If you need help getting up from your chair, consider getting a lift chair.

  Bed
  Your bedspread is a perfect opportunity to add a colorful centerpiece to your bedroom while customizing your sleep experience. Make sure to choose a blanket that’s just the right thickness, and find a design that captures your unique sense of style.

  Dressers
  Dressers and other storage should be filled with the user in mind. If you have trouble bending over, it may not be a good idea to store items in the lower drawer. Similarly, if your closet is too cluttered, it may be difficult to retrieve an object when you need it.

• Take Advantage of the Space You Have

  To make the most of your space, consider multi-functional furniture. If you don’t have a dedicated guest room, consider getting a sofa bed that can be neatly folded up most days and then unfolded when friends or family want to spend the night.

  Especially if you’re designing a smaller space, it’s important to understand how to use each room effectively. One big aspect of this is the layout, which can impact how large your room feels as well as how easy it is to navigate. If you’re decorating a room from scratch, take time to consider the flow of foot traffic through the space and avoid cluttering frequented areas.

• Set Aside Some Extra Space

  If you have a hobby like painting, sewing, or playing an instrument, try to set aside a little space to pursue your passion. This can be a dedicated room if you have one to spare, or it can be as simple as a desk tucked away in a quiet corner. The key is giving it a place in your home so that you remember to make time in your schedule.

• Incorporate Technology

  Don’t forget that home decor is about more than furniture and storage options. By incorporating a few high-tech tools into your living space, you can simplify several daily tasks or even improve the safety of your home. Try some of these technological solutions:

  Alexa

  is a great option for older adults, letting you use voice commands to set your thermostat, order groceries, check the news, and nearly anything else you can imagine.

  Smart Home Features

  like powered blinds and lights let you have full control over your environment. You can connect them to your fone to adjust them remotely.

  Security Systems

  are another smart home feature. You can lock or unlock doors remotely or monitor your property with remote cameras.

  Charging Stations

  are another must-have, making for a fast and convenient way to ensure your phone, tablet, and laptop are all ready to go.

Home Safety

Don’t forget that home decor also plays a big role in your day-to-day safety. Make sure to keep all of these factors in mind when decorating your home.

Your Guide to Home Safety

Fall Prevention

Falls are one of the biggest threats to a senior’s safety at home, but luckily, they’re also one of the easiest to prevent. We mentioned above how keeping living spaces clear of excess furniture and objects can help reduce tripping hazards, though there are other things to watch out for. Make sure to keep cords tucked close to the wall rather than running across a room. You should also use tape to fix rugs firmly to the floor.

Find more ways to reduce the risk of falls in the living room and kitchen.

Bedroom Safety

Transferring into and out of bed can also be challenging for some seniors, especially if they have mobility challenges. A bed safety rail can give you the support you need to make these transfers easier, while a bed assist bar can serve as a more compact option.

If you’re looking for other ways to make your sleeping space more functional, consider an overbed table. It can be the perfect way to browse the internet, enjoy a meal, or write from the comfort of your bed.

More Ways to Make the Bedroom Safe

Bathroom Safety

From slippery surfaces to hard metal fixtures, there are plenty of hazards to be aware of in the bathroom. The good news is that there are a variety of products that can help mitigate some of the danger.

• A suction grab bar can be installed in any shower for a bit of extra stability.
• A toilet seat raiser can make getting onto and off the toilet easier.
• Try a simple shower mat to prevent slipping while getting clean.

Find More in This In-Depth Guide to Bathroom Safety

Decorating Tips for Any Seniors Home

Of course, giving your home that personal touch ultimately comes down to your unique sense of style. Use these design tips as a starting point to ensure your home is safe, organized, and inviting. Then, use your creativity to transform your living space into a reflection of your individuality.