Designing a Home that Grows with You: Renovations That Age Well 

Today’s homeowners stay in their homes far longer than in years past. A Redfin report shows the median U.S. homeowner tenure jumped from 6.5 years in 2005 to 11.9 years in 2023—a rise of approximately 83%. Let’s look at why future-proofing your home matters, how to create a home that ages with you, and suggestions to make the process easier. 

Why Future-Proofing Your Home Matters 

Let’s face it–life happens. And all that happening will change what your life looks like in 10 to 12 years. Future-proofing your home matters when your children grow and need their own rooms. You grow older and want a first-floor owner’s suite. Or, an aging parent comes to live with you.  These are the times you want to prepare for. Not the times you want to scramble to make things work. 

Planning Aging in Place Home Design 

A 2024 U.S. News & World Report study found that 94% of older Americans want to stay in their current homes and age in place for as long as possible. Achieving that goal often means making a few accessible home improvements. The best time to plan these home renovations for aging in place is well before you need them. Early planning gives you the freedom to explore thoughtful, long-term design ideas and make smart decisions, without the pressure of a health crisis or sudden mobility changes. Early planning also allows you spread the investment out over time. 

Designing for Changing Family Needs 

Family dynamics get tricky–especially as your family grows in size and shape. If you have children, you could face the following situations: 

• You need room for a new baby. 
• Your teenage daughters constantly fight over the bathroom. 
• A middle schooler no longer wants to share a room with a toddler.  
• Your oldest leaves for college, and you want to repurpose their bedroom. 

When your home starts to feel like living in a shoe, remodeling the basement or adding a sunroom provides ample space for family gatherings, a quiet retreat, or entertaining friends.  

Also, with the rise in the cost of living, multi-generational households are becoming more common. Aging parents moving in with their children and adult children staying in the nest longer have increased the demand for multi-generational living remodels. 

If you expect an aging parent to live with you, or plan to age in place yourself, keep in mind that falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults. Designing for first-floor living can greatly reduce that risk. Aim to include a full bathroom, primary bedroom, and laundry area on the main level to avoid frequent stair use. 

Renovations That Adapt with You Over Time 

Universal design is a concept that designers follow to create spaces usable by people of all ages and abilities without making adaptations. Any accessible home improvements that follow universal design principles will grow with you over time. 

Accessible Bathroom & Kitchen Layouts 

The most popular future-proof home renovations include those in the kitchen and bathrooms. To make your bathrooms more accessible for all, we recommend the following: 

• Curbless/walk-in showers reduce the risk of falls. 
• Grab bars are the number one improvement you can make for senior bathroom safety. Ensure they’re installed into blocking and rated for 250-pound loads or more. 
• Comfort-height toilets with the seat 17 to 19 inches from the floor reduce knee strain. Adding a bidet seat for hygiene is a bonus. 
• Ensure the space provides a turning radius for wheelchairs and walkers. 

Accessible kitchen layouts include: 

• Adding multi-level counters to accommodate both seated and standing cooks, 
• Including cabinet accessories that bring storage within reach, like: lazy Susans, pull-down shelving, and full-extension drawers, 
• Installing a wall oven that is 30 inches high, 
• Ensuring the space provides a turning radius for wheelchairs and walkers. 

The renovation experts at Great Day Improvement offer a wide range of kitchen and bathroom remodeling to help your home grow in every way. 

Open Floor Plans & Flexible Spaces 

Open floor plans create open sightlines and improve natural lighting. With an open floor plan, you can see what your toddler is doing in the next room or if you turned off the stove. If your home doesn’t include an open floor plan, consider removing non-load-bearing walls to create open space that eases mobility, reduces hazards, and supports multi-generational living. 

Flex spaces also provide room to grow. Here are a few ideas for using a room for multiple purposes: 

• Let your home office serve as a guest room. 
• Create a home gym in the corner of the basement. 
• Turn your college student’s bedroom into an art studio. Keep a bed in the corner for when they’re home on break. 

Wider Doorways & Hallways 

Certified aging in place home design specialists (CAPS) recommend that passageways and doorways be 36 inches wide to accommodate mobility aids. Wider corridors also maintain the open atmosphere and abundant light you have with an open floor plan. 

Non-Slip Flooring & Smart Lighting 

To prevent the risk of falls on slippery tile surfaces, install slip-resistant flooring. When replacing flooring, consider adding heated floor mats for radiant heat. Heated floors make standing more comfortable in kitchens and bathrooms. Also, keep all thresholds flush between rooms to reduce tripping risk and provide for a smooth transition for a walker or wheelchair.  

Smart lighting for aging in place also reduces the risk of falls. Consider installing motion sensor lights in hallways, bathrooms, and stairways to illuminate the floor. In the kitchen, motion sensor lighting in the toe-kick area beneath cabinets ensures you never enter a dark room. Also, consider layered lighting techniques that include ambient, task, and accent lighting throughout the home to improve visibility. 

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Looking for ideas? Browse our gallery for inspiration on aging-well renovations.

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Balancing Functionality & Aesthetics 

Your home can be both beautiful and functional for every stage of life. There’s no need to give up style for accessibility when including renovations that age well. 

By choosing the right materials, universal design elements can blend seamlessly into your home’s style without looking clinical. For instance, modern grab bars now come in designer finishes that blend in. Flush-threshold sliding doors or pocket doors can widen doorways while providing architectural interest. And, luxury vinyl tile offers a softer surface for standing than ceramic tile while providing an authentic look. A professional designer or CAPS can help you balance beauty and function by offering material and style suggestions that last and endure. 

When to Consider Home Renovations for Aging in Place 

During Major Remodels or Additions 

Whether you’re preparing for a new baby or for an aging parent to move in with you, any time you’re planning to make major remodels to your home is the right time to include universal design features. Updating an old kitchen or bathroom? That’s the perfect opportunity to ensure the new design includes multi-level counters, adequate floor space, and zero-entry showers. 

Proactively Planning vs. Reactively Adapting 

By strategically planning your universal design with each home renovation project, you eliminate the extra expense of a rush job and the added stress of home renovations during a significant life event or crises. 

Final Thoughts: Build a Home That Grows with You 

A home designed to grow with you isn’t just about today’s comfort–it’s about planning for tomorrow’s needs by creating a home that supports every stage of life. Thoughtfully planned renovations provide long-term value while blending lasting style, functionality, and adaptability. 

At Great Day Improvements, our team specializes in thoughtful upgrades built to last. We’ve guided countless homeowners through transformations that make life easier and more enjoyable for years to come. Read real customer testimonials and explore the full range of our services. From concept to completion, we’re here to help. 

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Want to make smart updates now that work for the future? Request your free quote to get started.

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