Big homes lead to big messes, and can be difficult to maintain. While a big home can be a luxury when you have a large family, once the kids have moved out, downsizing makes life easier.
Small homes can be comfortable, attractive and highly functional. You can make your small home even more attractive and more functional by renovating it to accommodate your lifestyle. By installing smart storage solutions and age-in-place features, you can make your home a place where you can be happy and comfortable for decades to come.
Hiring an experienced Connecticut contractor for your renovation can make the downsizing experience a positive one. Below, we've listed some ideas to discuss with your contractor when downsizing.
Install Smart Storage Solutions
Small homes can easily become cluttered with the trappings of modern society. Smart storage solutions allow homeowners to stay organized and live comfortably in small spaces.
The best storage solutions will be easily accessible without going up and down stairs or standing on a ladder. Below are some ways that you can maximize storage safely and efficiently.
Customize the Closet
Spacious closets are nice, but closets with built-in storage are even better. Customize your built-in storage solutions to accommodate the items you keep in your closet, whether that's loads of shoes, tons of sweaters or your family holiday decor. There are many features that your contractor can include in your closet storage customization, from drawers to open shelves, cabinets and more.
Install Innovative Kitchen Cabinetry
Standard kitchen cabinets can be tricky to use, at times requiring you to reach far into the back to reach what you need. There are many innovative kitchen cabinetry styles that make using your kitchen easier, including cabinets with lazy Susan-style shelving, slide-out shelves, and even pull-out cabinets.
This type of cabinetry makes accessing pots and pans simpler - often without bending down too far and straining yourself to reach items at the back. In addition to being easier to use, this kind of cabinetry is more space efficient and can help you fit more into your cabinets.
Custom Millwork
Nothing dresses up your house and keeps it organized quite like built-in shelving and other custom millwork. Install built-in furnishings like a cabinet, shelves, a pantry, storage bench and other attractive, timeless features. Find a contractor that designs and installs custom millwork to give your home a sophisticated place to store items and prevent your home from becoming cluttered.
Utilize a Garage Storage Wall
The garage is a place where many people install lofted storage for stashing seasonal items. However, lofted storage can be difficult to access. Consider ground level storage options for your home. Have your contractor install a slatwall or pegboard to store common items like yard tools, extension cords and more.
Renovate to Age in Place
Having adequate storage space isn't the only consideration for your new, smaller home. Many seniors must also think about aging in place and the safety considerations that come along with it. Depending on the age of your home and its features, there may be many things you can do to improve safety at your house.
Improve Bathroom Safety
Many household accidents occur in the bathroom. Some things you can do to make your bathroom safer:
- Remove the bathtub and install a curbless shower. This will prevent accidents that can occur when you're stepping into and out of the bath.
- Install non-slip flooring rated for use in bathroom spaces or spaces with a lot of moisture.
- Install lighting fixtures throughout the bathroom including lighting over the toilet, over the shower, and over the sink. Installing multiple light sources can reduce accidents by making the bathroom easier to navigate.
- Install an adult-sized toilet to make using the toilet easier and more comfortable.
- Install wall handles in the shower and near the toilet, to provide support and help prevent falls.
Lighten and Brighten Throughout
The bathroom isn't the only room of the house where it's important to install additional lighting. Installing additional lighting throughout your house can prevent slip and fall accidents. Work with a contractor to install recessed lighting and overhead lighting fixtures, or install more lamps connected to light switches to give a warm, cozy feeling.
Create an Ergonomic Kitchen
The kitchen is another part of the house where accidents can easily happen. Making your kitchen more ergonomic can pay dividends as you age. Some suggestions:
- Install a wall oven at a height that is easy to access.
- Renovate to create an open kitchen layout with plenty of space between counters. This helps ensure that you'll be able to access all parts of your kitchen, even if you need to use a mobility device later.
- Install slip-free flooring.
- Install multi-level counter tops to ensure that everyone can find some counter space that is easy to use.
Downsizing Makes Life Easier - Get Started Today
Downsizing your home makes life easier, especially if you can renovate the space to make it more functional overall. Renovations are only as good as the business doing the work, so it's important to hire the right contractor for your upcoming remodel. Hire a Connecticut residential contractor with years of experience and a track record of success. See the Litchfield Builders free guide to hiring a professional contractor, or call us to make an appointment for a free consultation.
