We were so happy to work with these returning clients again on a new remodel!
It was time to convert an existing area of the house into an in-laws suite, to eventually contain living space, a bedroom, and a bathroom. At this point in time, the in-laws were living detached from the house and our clients wanted to bring them inside the main house in order to provide better care.
The existing space contained a small living room, two small bedrooms, and a small full bathroom with a tub/shower combination. Beige and white were the predominant colors in the space, and the flooring was a combination of carpet and large-format tile. The client’s greatest desire was to transform this space and have it be more this space to be functional and user-friendly. With that being said, the primary focus of the design revolved around aging-in-place, making this space practical for an elderly couple.
In terms of aesthetic appeal, it was more important to have the aging-in-place friendly design remain the main focus. Design choices were made based on how efficient it would be for the in-laws to use and move freely and easily throughout the space.
Here are the 9 steps we took to help make this space aging in place friendly:
Step 1: Widening Doorways
First, we widened all existing doors to be three feet wide to allow for easy passage for anyone in a wheelchair or that uses a walker.
Step 2: Door Levers
We changed out all the door hardware from knobs to levers, as levers are easier for those who have lost dexterity in their hands to grab onto and open doors.
Step 3: Flooring
Next up was removing all the carpet and replacing it with cork flooring. Carpets can make it difficult for those in wheelchairs or walkers to move around, so we opted to install cork flooring instead. Cork flooring is very durable, so it can stand up to any scuffs or scratches from wheelchairs and walkers. Cork flooring is also softer than tile or wood, so in the unfortunate event of a fall, the floor is softer to fall on, which will hopefully lessen the risk of injury.
Step 4: Creating a familiar space
On the walls, we opted for a brown palette that matches the existing in-law suite. We wanted this new space to feel familiar and safe, as moving to a new space and experiencing memory loss can be overwhelming.
Step 5: Curbless Shower
The bathroom has a lot of key features found in the aging-in-place design. The shower is curbless, which means there is no lip or curb to step over to get into the shower. There is no transition between the shower floor and bathroom floor, which makes it so easy for anyone in a walker or wheelchair to access the shower.
Step 6: Shower Fixtures
Instead of using a traditional fixed shower head, we installed a hand shower on a slider bar. With this feature, the clients can control the height of the showerhead and bring it lower if they are seated. Because it is also a hand shower, the clients can easily take the hand shower off the slider and bring the water wherever they need it.
This is an excellent feature for those in wheelchairs or walkers who cannot move around once in the shower. We also installed grab bars inside the shower to help with egress and ingress and have something to pull themselves up in the event of a fall.
Step 7: Bathroom Sink
Instead of a traditional vanity with cabinetry, we chose to utilize a pedestal sink, which allows for anyone in a wheelchair or walker to get much closer to the sink because there is room for their legs underneath the sink. This helps prevent anyone from having to bend over to reach the faucet, which in turn helps prevent water splashes from getting on the floor and becoming a slip hazard.
Step 8: Lighting
As some of you may know, our eyesight tends to get worse as we age. *sigh*
Did you know that a 70-year-old needs 4 times more light than a 20-year-old to see equally as well? Lighting is SO important when you are aging-in-place. We also added ceiling fans with light fixtures to both the living space and the bedroom, as well as recessed lighting throughout.
Step 9: Wheelchair Ramp
Last but certainly not least, we installed a wheelchair ramp outside the house to help make it easier for the clients’ parents to enter and exit the house.
Our clients are thrilled with the finished product! They now have a very functional and user-friendly space for their in-laws, having them closer and more accessible to the main house. We were so excited to work with these returning clients and loved transforming their space!
