Design A Home for Life
![A close-up view of an accessible kitchen featuring cherry wood cabinet doors and drawers with easy-pull handles, a grey countertop that fits a walker or wheelchair underneath the L-shaped end of the counter, and an easy-to-use sink faucet fixture in silver. The counter is dressed with sliced melon and bowls, and a sprig of green plant next to the sink.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-Aging-in-Place-San-Francisco-Kitchen-Sunnyside-580x870.jpg)
Have you heard of living in place? Also known as aging in place, it’s the concept that people want to remain in their homes as long as possible, as we age and our health and lifestyle needs change. For example, in the kitchen above, a simple faucet with a pull-out nozzle will make washing up easy for people with arthritis. Here are a few more tips for setting up your forever home.
![Photo of a pair of his-n-hers recliners in light tan leather, dressed with a white blanket on his and green pillow on hers. The chairs sit either side of a piano with a bright pink seat, and a modern artwork propped up on the top, with red flowers in a clear vase, and an adjustable task light. A mirror and shiny brass side table are visible off to the right.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-in-Place_Comfort-Air-His-n-Hers-Recliners-by-Rachel-Shingleton-580x467.jpg)
Choose Gorgeous, Right-size Furniture
A couple where the husband is 5’10” and the wife is 5’ may have some challenges in making their home comfortable for them both, without health issues in the mix. Even if you aren’t so different in size, it’s important to have furniture that’s the right scale and fit for you. Adjustable tables and chairs can be a help in this, as can designing a bathroom or kitchen with multiple counter heights.
Also, specifying or customizing furniture to fit is a great solution. We found a smaller-scale recliner for my 85 y.o. mother who is only 5’. She had been struggling with a full-size recliner for years. Now she loves reading and relaxing in her right-size chair!
![Senior gentleman wearing glasses in a grey sweater and tan pants walking with walker indoors, in front of a grey sofa with lime green throw pillows on each end.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-Aging-in-Place_Older-Man-Walker-580x387.jpg)
Create Accessible Flows
If you or your family member need to use a cane, walker, wheelchair or other ambulatory aid, it’s especially important to open up the circulation of your rooms. Ensure there’s at least a 3 to 3.5-foot pathway leading to doors and around furniture. Remove any trip hazards like loose rugs, and try to find rugs that have a low profile and rubber backing for places you still need them. Eliminate stairs and add ramps, or choose a one-level home, if you decide to relocate.
![Photo of a modern kitchen with light vertically-striated wood cabinets, bronze metal pull handles, a white marble countertop. One cabinet is open to reveal a pull-down metal shelving unit filled with dishes. The inside back of the cabinet is a creamy orange color, like a popsicle, and the countertops are dressed with small framed art of purple flowers, a bowl of green apples, and a vase of fresh flowers in white, green, and light blue.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-Aging-in-Place_Pull-Down-Kitchen-Shelves-580x875.jpg)
Bring It Down to Your Level
Think about how difficult it can be to get something down from a high shelf, especially if it’s heavy or bulky. Now imagine doing that while having bursitis, arthritis, or any number of painful conditions. Consider relocating heavy items to lower shelves, or installing a special pull-down shelf like this one, allowing easy, safe access to upper shelves.
![Photo of a light, bright kitchen with white cabinetry above and below, simple silver metal door handles and drawer pulls, grey countertops, and a very light diamond-shaped tiling on the vertical surfaces including backsplash. The kitchen flooring is hexagonal penny tiling in cream and tan tones with brown grout, which transitions to wood flooring in the dining space just barely visible at the bottom of the image. To the left a wooden butcher-block end counter has a wood seated stool with black metal legs. Above it hangs a circular black metal pendant with 4 lights. White recessed lights are visible at the top of the image, against a beige-painted ceiling. A window either side of the main cabinetry allows light to pour in. Shelves are dressed with ceramic pottery and plants.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-Aging-in-Place_SF-Farmhouse-Kitchen_Lighting-580x773.jpg)
Brighten Spaces with Lighting
As we grow older, our eyes change, and we need more light to see well. I recommend installing recessed lighting that’s centered over your task areas throughout your spaces for a bright, evenly lit tone. Next, add table lamps for adjustable accent and task lighting.
One place you really need to see well is the kitchen. Recessed lights create a great foundation; then add under-cabinet lighting to illuminate your countertop workspace, making prep and cooking a delight. For soft, ambient light when task lights aren’t in use, finish off with a stylish pendant light or chandelier.
![A modern bathroom featuring a curbless walk-in shower surrounded by clear glass, with a silver metal grab bar on the wall next to a niche dressed with green plant and loufah. The far wall shows a hand-held shower fixture in silver against hexagonal grey and white toned tiling. Below a line of horizontal dark grey tiles, the bottom half is plain white subway tiling in a medium-size scale, and the flooring is a warm beige and tan toned porcelain, laid at an angle to make the space feel more open. To the right of the shower is a corner of the dark wood cabinetry with silver metal drawer and door pulls, and a beige countertop, dressed with a vase of orangey-white roses.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Living-Aging-in-Place_Curbless-Shower-580x870.jpg)
Beautify Bathroom Safety
Grab bars don’t have to be clinical-looking. There are a wide range of ADA- approved grab bars that are both beautiful and safe. You can use them as additional towel rails to conceal their purpose.
Ideally, you want a curbless, step-in shower, like this one I designed for a couple in St Francis Woods, San Francisco. Curbless showers are highly desirable even for those who don’t medically require them, creating a beautiful, flowing look for your bathroom. Selecting a gorgeous, handmade ceramic tile like the one above will also elevate your space.
These are just a few ways to make your home a place you can remain for as long as you wish, with independence and freedom, into your golden years.
For more ideas on how to create YOUR forever home, contact Kimball Starr for a consultation today!