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How to Design Entries and Hallways for Aging in Place
Consider these stylish ideas to make sure home circulation zones serve family members’ needs in the years to come
“Hallways and landings are vital circulation spaces that ensure safe and comfortable movement throughout the home,” architect Thomas Mullally says. “As architects, we keep all of this in mind with our design process. As mobility may decrease with age, these areas need to be designed to minimize obstacles and hazards, promoting ease of use in daily life.”
We’re not talking ugly institutional additions that would ruin the aesthetic of your stylish home. When ideas are incorporated from the outset of a renovation, you have the power to streamline them aesthetically. Whether it’s thoughtful custom cabinetry, careful flooring choices or flexible lighting, there are many simple ideas you can consider incorporating into your project to ensure your house is fit for living long into the future.
We’re not talking ugly institutional additions that would ruin the aesthetic of your stylish home. When ideas are incorporated from the outset of a renovation, you have the power to streamline them aesthetically. Whether it’s thoughtful custom cabinetry, careful flooring choices or flexible lighting, there are many simple ideas you can consider incorporating into your project to ensure your house is fit for living long into the future.
Design to Ease Memory Loss
A frustrating side effect of aging for many can be having a less reliable memory.
Josephine Lecoufle-Vinet of JLV Designs suggests creating a designated area for keys and bags so they’re always where they are expected and easy to find. An entryway console table is a simple, retrofittable solution that can be useful to this end — something with a small tray or box on top where keys are reliably kept. A narrow, non-blocking piece of furniture with a drawer or space for storage boxes can also work well if you’d rather tuck things away. Something sturdy and solid will also double as a useful thing to lean on now and then.
10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By
A frustrating side effect of aging for many can be having a less reliable memory.
Josephine Lecoufle-Vinet of JLV Designs suggests creating a designated area for keys and bags so they’re always where they are expected and easy to find. An entryway console table is a simple, retrofittable solution that can be useful to this end — something with a small tray or box on top where keys are reliably kept. A narrow, non-blocking piece of furniture with a drawer or space for storage boxes can also work well if you’d rather tuck things away. Something sturdy and solid will also double as a useful thing to lean on now and then.
10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By
Make Sure There’s Enough Light
Proper lighting is crucial in corridors. “Ensuring individuals can see where they’re walking will help to prevent accidents,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. Mullally agrees, suggesting lighting should be bright and even.
Having dimmable lights, either via wired-in fixtures and switches or through retrofittable smart bulbs, means you have the option of full lighting over something more atmospheric if needed. When it comes to light switches and sockets, Mullally advises positioning them at accessible heights.
You might consider installing motion-sensor lights that come on when you enter a room or get out of bed, so you don’t have to find a light switch in the dark. Or you could get touch lamps that come on when you touch the base.
How to Create a Living Room for Aging in Place
Proper lighting is crucial in corridors. “Ensuring individuals can see where they’re walking will help to prevent accidents,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. Mullally agrees, suggesting lighting should be bright and even.
Having dimmable lights, either via wired-in fixtures and switches or through retrofittable smart bulbs, means you have the option of full lighting over something more atmospheric if needed. When it comes to light switches and sockets, Mullally advises positioning them at accessible heights.
You might consider installing motion-sensor lights that come on when you enter a room or get out of bed, so you don’t have to find a light switch in the dark. Or you could get touch lamps that come on when you touch the base.
How to Create a Living Room for Aging in Place
Provide Handrails on Stairs
“Place a handrail on both sides of the stairs to allow easy passage both up and down,” Byrne says. This is a small detail, but one that can be lacking in designs where older age, infirmity or people with health conditions or impairments are not factored in.
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“Place a handrail on both sides of the stairs to allow easy passage both up and down,” Byrne says. This is a small detail, but one that can be lacking in designs where older age, infirmity or people with health conditions or impairments are not factored in.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Don’t Scrimp on Storage
“Incorporate built-in storage to reduce clutter and keep pathways clear,” Mullally says. Don’t think only of trip hazards. Allow also for easy and safe circulation.
This tidy hallway with its variety of storage options is a great example of how to design for a mixed household. The tall cupboard at the end could conceal a baby carriage or a mobility aid and could also house a charger for the latter. (For an electric wheelchair you would need a cabinet to be flush to the floor to be able to wheel equipment straight in).
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“Incorporate built-in storage to reduce clutter and keep pathways clear,” Mullally says. Don’t think only of trip hazards. Allow also for easy and safe circulation.
This tidy hallway with its variety of storage options is a great example of how to design for a mixed household. The tall cupboard at the end could conceal a baby carriage or a mobility aid and could also house a charger for the latter. (For an electric wheelchair you would need a cabinet to be flush to the floor to be able to wheel equipment straight in).
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Shoe Storage
“Opt for high storage solutions for shoes to prevent elderly individuals from having to bend down to retrieve their belongings,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. A nearby bench or chair would be handy for getting shoes on and off in comfort.
How to Create a Kitchen for Aging in Place
“Opt for high storage solutions for shoes to prevent elderly individuals from having to bend down to retrieve their belongings,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. A nearby bench or chair would be handy for getting shoes on and off in comfort.
How to Create a Kitchen for Aging in Place
Coat Storage
“Allow for coat hooks at 120cm [about 4 feet] from the floor,” Byrne says. “This height accommodates most coats —hung from the collar, not the hood — and leaves space for artwork or a mirror overhead at eye level.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
“Allow for coat hooks at 120cm [about 4 feet] from the floor,” Byrne says. “This height accommodates most coats —hung from the collar, not the hood — and leaves space for artwork or a mirror overhead at eye level.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Open Up
“Ensure hallways are wide enough for wheelchairs or mobility aids, with smooth transitions and minimal sharp turns,” Mullally says. “And avoid steps where possible or provide ramps.”
Corridors in many homes may be on the narrow side, which puts all the more emphasis on designing for minimal clutter and unobtrusive storage. Although it’s a major alteration, you might want to think about removing a wall or adding on to your home to create extra space. This could allow you to move around more easily or have all your essentials on one floor.
How to Create a Bedroom for Aging in Place
“Ensure hallways are wide enough for wheelchairs or mobility aids, with smooth transitions and minimal sharp turns,” Mullally says. “And avoid steps where possible or provide ramps.”
Corridors in many homes may be on the narrow side, which puts all the more emphasis on designing for minimal clutter and unobtrusive storage. Although it’s a major alteration, you might want to think about removing a wall or adding on to your home to create extra space. This could allow you to move around more easily or have all your essentials on one floor.
How to Create a Bedroom for Aging in Place
Add a Downstairs Powder Room
A downstairs powder room or bathroom on the bottom floor will reduce journeys up and down the stairs. “Plan for at least a downstairs toilet, with a shower as a bonus,” Byrne says. Often, there may be space to add a shower if there’s plumbing in place for a sink. An extra shower room should only boost the value of your home and may come in handy for guests.
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A downstairs powder room or bathroom on the bottom floor will reduce journeys up and down the stairs. “Plan for at least a downstairs toilet, with a shower as a bonus,” Byrne says. Often, there may be space to add a shower if there’s plumbing in place for a sink. An extra shower room should only boost the value of your home and may come in handy for guests.
More on Houzz
Read more design and remodeling stories
Browse millions of photos for ideas
Find home design and remodeling professionals
A level floor with good grip is something the professionals agree is key. “Avoid steps where possible or provide ramps, and use nonslip, even flooring to enhance safety,” says Mullally of Mullally Architecture and Design.
If you have a hard floor and are considering a rug, proceed with caution as rugs are easy to stumble over. If you feel it’s safe to include one, Eva Byrne of houseology advises adding a nonslip pad underneath. Rugs are easily removable if needs change so they may be a good option if you’re thinking ahead.
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