6 Home Design Features That Can Help You Age Safely and Comfortably, According to Designers

Many people hope to age in place, but creating a home that remains safe and comfortable over time requires thoughtful planning. Preventing accidents and maintaining independence are important, and many upgrades require little time or expense. Our experts recommend six simple home design upgrades to implement now, allowing for easy aging in place instead of scrambling for support later. Sherry Schmidt, president and lead designer at Form and Function Interior Design, and Tamara Hubinsky, interior designer and founder of Tamara Hubinsky Interiors, discuss what to upgrade today for safe and comfortable living as you age.

Bathroom Grab Bars

Incorporating safety features in bathrooms, no matter how old you or your family members are, is always a good idea. They provide support while bathing, using the restroom, and moving safely throughout the space.

According to Sherry Schmidt, president and lead designer at Form and Function Interior Design, adding bathroom grab bars is a relatively simple project. During a remodel, contractors can add wall bracing before installing tile, making future grab bar installation easier. "We often encourage our clients to add bracing during a bathroom remodel to avoid time, cost, and mess later," Schmidt says.

Many companies offer grab bars for bathrooms that are more stylish for residential properties than the old, utilitarian style common in commercial spaces, Schmidt says.

Carpet Runners on Wood Stairs

A bare wood staircase looks beautiful, but it can be a dangerous slip zone, especially as you get older. Walking down slick stairs in socks or moving too quickly can lead to serious injuries. Adding a carpet runner is a stylish, affordable way to improve traction and make stairs safer. "Speaking from experience, a good friend's mom fell down the stairs and fractured her lower back," Schmidt adds. Accidents like these can easily happen when slick steps aren't covered.

Schmidt suggests working with companies that offer custom-sized carpet runners for any staircase and provide customizable patterns and color options to complement your space while protecting you and your loved ones.

Clear Furniture Layouts

Assess how you move from room to room and remove unnecessary furniture to create wider, easier pathways, Hubinsky says. For the pieces that you do keep, ensure that they're stable. Chairs with sturdy arms can make it easier to sit down and stand up as you age, she says.

Clearing out spaces and simplifying them will also create more room for indoor exercises, whether with a trainer or a health aide.

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Motion-Activated Lighting

One of the lowest-cost upgrades you can do to ensure your home is safe and comfortable for aging in place is installing motion-activated lighting. Motion-activated lights can help lower energy costs and reduce the risk of falls by automatically illuminating dark spaces.

"Key areas to consider installing motion-activated lighting are in the garage entry, dark hallways, under cabinet lighting in the kitchen, bathroom toe-kick lighting, and under-bed lighting," Schmidt says. These lights help prevent falls while adding a subtle, polished design element.

Accessible Storage Solutions

Small updates, such as replacing doorknobs with lever handles, can make everyday tasks easier with age. "Install inserts in existing cabinets and closets," Hubinsky says. "Pull-down shelves, appliance lifts, and pull-down closet rods are just a few options that will make our lives easier and safer."

Slip-Resistant Flooring

The risk of falls increases as we age. Loose area rugs, slick surfaces, and uneven flooring transitions can increase the risk of falls. Many hazards can be addressed with simple design updates, such as securing area rugs with non-slip pads, and require little to no construction.

To fix potential slip hazards, remove loose, high-pile area rugs. For highly polished stone flooring, especially on a large scale, consider replacing it with wood or vinyl, or securely placing a rug to cover high-traffic areas. Polished stone is especially slippery and can be dangerous as you age, Hubinsky says.