Age in Place Without Breaking the Bank: Home Renovation Ideas For You To Grow Into

For many of us, the idea of settling down and raising children in one home is idyllic. A home that is filled with memories and milestones, and a place that one day, your children’s children will be eager to visit. You may or may not have heard of the term “aging in place” which simply means remaining in the same home as you age, rather than moving, downsizing, or potentially, relocating to an assisted living facility. It can be hard to wrap your head around ever leaving a home you’ve worked so hard for. But as we age, it’s time the tables turn so that our homes work for us. We’ve gone and compiled a list of helpful tips for homeowners of every decade, so that you can strategize aging in place successfully, without breaking the bank.

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In Your 40s...

It may seem crazy, but as early as your 40s is when you should start thinking about how the home you’re currently in could work for you as you get older. If you don't have one already, you should probably start working on a "lifetime plan" for your home. This sort of document should detail what changes need to be made to your home in order to make it livable for you not only in your golden years, but also in the decades leading to. Some things you may want to think about include widening the doorways and hallways or modifying kitchens and bathrooms for better accessibility. Something like a wheelchair ramp is also an important consideration, it may seem silly at the time, but those sorts of things can be costly. The goal of the lifetime plan is to be able to budget and prioritise the changes that need to be made.

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In Your 50s...

More often than not, our 50s are the busiest decade of our lives. With careers and families taking up much of our time and energy, it can often feel like there’s no space for anything else. That being said, it's important to remain conscious of your lifetime plan. If you’re finding yourself too busy, start by making smaller changes, like adding an elegant handrail to your front steps. Even small changes can make a big difference down the road, and you’ll definitely thank yourself later (and maybe us, for giving you the idea). You may also want to start thinking about ways to make your home more energy efficient. You’ve probably got older appliances that have been through the ringer, so consider trading them for Energy Star certified ones. It may seem to cost a lot of money upfront, but those appliances will save you a lot of money (and stress) in the long run.

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In Your 60s...

Ahhh, and now we enter the 60s. These are the years when we really start seeing noticeable changes in our health and mobility. But, it’s not all bad! You may be fortunate enough to welcome your first, or second, or even third grandchild. Or maybe you’ll hit retirement and go basking in your newfound freedom down in Aruba. All daydreaming aside, this decade is typically when people start using canes or walkers. Remember when you’d planned to widen your hallways? You’ll really be happy with that lifetime plan you created. Some other ideas you can look into include adding handrails along the wall of a staircase, or even something as simple as putting non-slip mats in your baths and showers. 

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In Your 70s...

By this decade, it would be pretty outstanding if you haven’t noticed at least some sort of decline in your health, maybe your vision has worsened or you struggle walking up the stairs. If you’ve held off on making modifications to your home to accommodate these health changes, by now it’s crucial. It might be hard to swallow your pride and acknowledge that you’ve gotten old, but really, most of these adaptations will only improve your quality of life.  Maybe it’s as simple as just installing brighter lighting throughout your living space to help you see more clearly.  Be proactive and make these changes sooner rather than later, it will ensure that you can continue enjoying your independence—in your own home—for years to come.

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Small Changes that Make a Big Difference

So, needless to say, there are lots of big (and expensive) projects that need to be considered when aging in place. But, there are also a lot of small changes you can start tackling right now that will make a big difference down the road:

• Consider investing in more comfortable furniture that's easy to get in and out of; avoid chairs with low and deep seats that require climbing or lifting yourself up out of
• Spend a weekend rearranging your cabinets and shelves so that frequently used items are easier to access; put things like dishes, glasses, silverware, and spices within arm's reach on lower shelves (you’ll also feel super satisfied when you’re finished because it’s a forced organisation session)
• Go to your nearest Bed, Bath, and Beyond and buy some non slip mats for your bathroom 
• Map our and clear large paths throughout your living spaces so there's no chance of you tripping over obstacles (apologies in advance if you’ve got small children, this one might be impossible)
• Install handrails on staircases both inside and outside the house
• Keep a flashlight or lantern near your bed so you can see at night

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And if we haven’t yet convinced you, or if aging in place isn’t something you’re super keen about, small renovations that make homes more accessible and livable for seniors are becoming increasingly popular on the market, and yup, you guessed it, that's where Bidmii comes in! 

Bidmii is a free online platform that connects homeowners with community vetted, qualified contractors. With just a few clicks, you can create a project and receive multiple bids from contractors in your community. The best news is that Bidmii keeps your money in trust while a project is ongoing, so you no longer have to feel insecure about a contractor taking your payment. 

It doesn’t matter what decade you're in—40s, 50s, 60s or 70s, or maybe you’re still in your 30s—there are steps you can take now to make sure your home works for you as you age. Start off by just giving it some thought, then make a plan, and slowly you’ll be ready to make small changes around your living space. As you get more comfortable with the idea of aging, you can start tackling larger projects down the road. Bidmii will be here to help you along the way so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank.

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