According to a recent survey conducted by home design website Houzz, more than half of the respondents over the age of 60 plan to stay in their existing homes in retirement. Therefore, with this "aging in place" trend, we can expect to see a continued demand for home remodeling in the coming years.
Many of the upgrades that baby boomers are currently making to their homes are with aging in mind. Here are 5 of the top home remodeling trends that we're currently seeing for retirees that plan to stay in their existing homes:
1. Enhancements to the home's aesthetic design
It seems that no matter our age, we appreciate beautiful design. For many, the appearance of the home is the number one driving force behind a renovation. This could mean giving home's curb appeal a fresh facelift or undertaking a major kitchen renovation that features all of the bells and whistles. Baby boomers want upgrades, and they often have bigger budgets than their younger colleagues.
2. Convenience
Understanding that their health may not be as good as it used to be, baby boomers want convenience in their homes, such as a first floor master bedroom, energy efficient appliances, and an oversized shower. For those that choose to stay in their two-story homes in retirement, they may re-design their homes so that all living can be done on the first floor with features such as no-step entryways and wider hallways.
3. Environmentally friendly upgrades
Considering that many baby boomers were coming of age during the 1960s, they have a strong sense of environmental awareness. Therefore, the use of eco-friendly materials in home remodeling is very important to this demographic. Such environmental friendly upgrades include the use of energy-efficient roofing materials and low-e windows. Another popular trend is composite siding as it helps to better insulate the home and save money too.
4. Bathroom design with an eye towards the future
Retirees that plan to stay in their homes for the long haul anticipate that a time may come when a wheelchair may be needed. Therefore, an "aging in place" bathroom design may feature an oversized shower with a low curb that offers easy access, a higher toilet, and heated floors to help combat the cold that older people seem to feel more severely.
5. The use of quality, low maintenance materials
The baby boomer population arguably has come to appreciate quality more than any other generation, and as their wealth has grown over the years, they are willing to pay a premium price for quality. In home design, quality could mean the installation of energy efficient appliances with longer life cycles or the use of building materials that will withstand the time without much upkeep.
The climate and geographic location has a lot to do with whether homeowners will choose to stay in their homes for the long haul. With the mild climate that Central Florida offers, we're seeing many homeowners choose to stay in their existing residences through retirement. Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about how we can help you to remodel your home, or custom build the home you need, to allow you to comfortably age in place.
1. Enhancements to the home's aesthetic design
It seems that no matter our age, we appreciate beautiful design. For many, the appearance of the home is the number one driving force behind a renovation. This could mean giving home's curb appeal a fresh facelift or undertaking a major kitchen renovation that features all of the bells and whistles. Baby boomers want upgrades, and they often have bigger budgets than their younger colleagues.
2. Convenience
Understanding that their health may not be as good as it used to be, baby boomers want convenience in their homes, such as a first floor master bedroom, energy efficient appliances, and an oversized shower. For those that choose to stay in their two-story homes in retirement, they may re-design their homes so that all living can be done on the first floor with features such as no-step entryways and wider hallways.
3. Environmentally friendly upgrades
Considering that many baby boomers were coming of age during the 1960s, they have a strong sense of environmental awareness. Therefore, the use of eco-friendly materials in home remodeling is very important to this demographic. Such environmental friendly upgrades include the use of energy-efficient roofing materials and low-e windows. Another popular trend is composite siding as it helps to better insulate the home and save money too.
4. Bathroom design with an eye towards the future
Retirees that plan to stay in their homes for the long haul anticipate that a time may come when a wheelchair may be needed. Therefore, an "aging in place" bathroom design may feature an oversized shower with a low curb that offers easy access, a higher toilet, and heated floors to help combat the cold that older people seem to feel more severely.
5. The use of quality, low maintenance materials
The baby boomer population arguably has come to appreciate quality more than any other generation, and as their wealth has grown over the years, they are willing to pay a premium price for quality. In home design, quality could mean the installation of energy efficient appliances with longer life cycles or the use of building materials that will withstand the time without much upkeep.
The climate and geographic location has a lot to do with whether homeowners will choose to stay in their homes for the long haul. With the mild climate that Central Florida offers, we're seeing many homeowners choose to stay in their existing residences through retirement. Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about how we can help you to remodel your home, or custom build the home you need, to allow you to comfortably age in place.
