4 Min Read
In the US, the median life expectancy for women is 81 years, and for men, it is 77 years, meaning that many of us, God willing, will live well into our old age. This means that if you plan to design and build a custom home or buy and remodel one, you should consider incorporating aging-in-place design choices.
Aging in place, remodeling, and home building will support you in the years to come. When you work with J. Bryant Boyd, you're working with a team that can help you choose aging-in-place home modifications and smart home tech for aging in place so that your home continues to accommodate you, through every stage of life.
We'll work alongside you to explore the best home upgrades for seniors and senior home remodeling ideas that are modern, suited to your current lifestyle, and your future needs as you age. So if you're ready to learn how to future-proof your home, you've come to the right place.
Here's a peek at what we'll discuss in this blog:
1. What Is Aging-in-Place Design?
2. Must-Have Features for Lifelong Comfort
3. Zero-Threshold Entries and Showers
4. Wider Doorways and Hallways
5. Lever Handles and Faucets
6. Main-Level Primary Suites
7. Lighting and Slip-Resistant Flooring
8. Reinforced Bathroom Walls
9. A Forever Home in Action
10. Designing With Dignity
What Is Aging-in-Place Design?
Before you start looking for an aging-in-place contractor or an accessible home design, it's a good idea to first understand what aging-in-place design entails. To put it simply, aging-in-place design is about making your home a safe, easy-to-navigate, and accessible structure as your needs change over time.
Some people choose to make their home suitable for all ages all at once, while others take a slower approach, changing things one thing at a time. Aging in place design often involves taking measures such as clearing pathways for mobility, preparing for future health considerations, or simplifying daily routines. And despite what you might have been led to believe, your home won't appear to be sterile or institutionalized. There are ways to make a home that is forward-thinking and architecturally beautiful.
Additionally, in our professional opinion at J. Bryant Boyd, we advise people that the ideal time to consider making a home more accessible through a remodel or building one from the outset is well before it's needed. By building or remodeling with a senior remodeling contractor in Georgetown, TX, before you enter your golden years, you're gifting yourself peace of mind.
Must-Have Features for Lifelong Comfort
Below, we've shared a few must-have features if you plan to live in your home indefinitely through every stage of life. These accessible aging-in-place features can be architecturally integrated into your home so that it doesn't lose its visual appeal when you work with us:
Zero-Threshold Entries and Showers
Removing barriers is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve accessibility. You might not know it, but about 55% of all fall injuries happen within the home, and flush transitions at exterior doors and showers help prevent trips and make movement easier for anyone using a walker or wheelchair. They also happen to look clean and contemporary.
Wider Doorways and Hallways
Typically, an interior doorway is around 32 inches wide, and although this is usually more than enough while you're young, it can become harder to maneuver through when you're older, injured, or facing illness.
That's why, in our opinion, generous passageways are practical, and they improve the flow and openness of your home. Wider spaces allow room for mobility devices, but they also make everyday life easier when you're carrying groceries or moving furniture.
Lever-Style Handles and Faucets
Something as simple as upgrading to lever-style handles and faucets can make an immense difference when it comes to aging-in-place by design. For example, at times, twisting knobs can be difficult for those with arthritis or reduced grip strength. That's why we use lever-style hardware, as it's easier to operate and fits beautifully into both traditional and modern aesthetics.
Main-Level Primary Suites
We often place the owner's suite on the ground floor, making it easy to live on one level. This is especially helpful for aging in place, but also makes day-to-day living more convenient for anyone. When you design and build a home with us, we can help you position a main-level primary suite in a place in your home that works best for your needs.
Layered Lighting and Slip-Resistant Flooring
Good lighting design reduces shadows, improves visibility, and adds warmth throughout the home. We often combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to achieve balance. We also offer carefully selected flooring materials that provide a subtle grip. Both feature choices offer safety.
Reinforced Bathroom Walls for Future Grab Bars
Even if grab bars aren't needed yet, we plan ahead by adding structural support behind bathroom walls during the construction process. That way, grab bars can be added in the future without tearing into finished tile or drywall.
A Forever Home in Action
We've had the privilege of working on several aging-in-place homes, but one story continues to stand out above all others. A couple in their early 60s came to us to build what they called their "forever home." From the start, we prioritized accessibility in the layout, adding wider hallways, an open-concept kitchen and living area, and a seamless flow out to the patio.
The primary suite was located on the main floor, featuring a spacious curbless shower and bathroom walls reinforced to accommodate future grab bars. At the time, they didn't need those features, but just a few years later, one of the homeowners had a knee replacement, and suddenly, those early decisions became essential.
They told us afterward how grateful they were to have a home that already worked for them. No scrambling. No retrofits. Just the ability to heal, move freely, and maintain their routines with dignity and ease. That's exactly what aging-in-place design is meant to do: allow the home to serve you, no matter what life brings.
Designing With Dignity, for Today and Tomorrow
At J. Bryant Boyd Design-Build, we understand that aging-in-place remodeling in Georgetown, TX, or new builds is more important than many people believe. In our opinion, aging-in-place home modifications and design choices are crucial for your lifestyle now and into the future. So why not speak with us about architectural solutions for lifelong living?
We've spent years helping families remodel or build homes that meet the ever-evolving needs of daily life. If you're thinking about your forever home or simply want to make your current home more adaptable, we're here to help you make it happen. Contact us today!
