Navigating stairs or the cost of installing a pneumatic elevator need not be a reason for couples whose children have left home to stay at home, design experts say.

There are dozens of creative ways to move to a single floor: they’re easy, offer more security, and can even increase resale value.

If you or your loved ones are thinking about growing old in familiar surroundings, you may want to strategically rethink the spaces you have lived in for years and examine the options room by room.

Quick solutions in the kitchen

Major renovations to reduce counter heights and add mobility aids are rarely necessary, says certified senior living specialist Barb Mueller, president of Designs Anew Houston, LLC.

Instead, consider making the ground floor storage space more vertical and investing in additional task lighting to help ageing eyes while chopping vegetables, she suggests.

Mueller also recommends stocking up on cabinet storage containers in bright, contrasting colors to make it easier to identify tools like knives and store them more securely.

Incorporating a movable or fixed bakery counter is an easy way to improve accessibility, says architect and interior designer Diane Miller of Miller Design, LLC in Belmont, Massachusetts. A table height of 30 to 32 inches instead of the usual 36 inches can help seniors prepare food comfortably while seated.

For those with arthritis, it might be easier to install faucets with motion sensors, Miller suggests. And she often recommends installing a microwave or microwave drawer — which sits directly under the countertop — so seniors don’t have to reach up with heavy, hot food.

Strategies for the washroom

Moving the laundry to the ground floor eliminates tripping hazards because no one has to carry heavy baskets up a flight of stairs from a dark basement, Miller says.

“Front loaders are often easier to use, especially if you install them at a higher height so you don’t have to bend down,” she says. “Conveniently, there are now many smaller, stackable options that can also be stored in a closet.”

Redesign of a bedroom

According to Mueller, it’s relatively easy to convert a living room – or better yet, a home office or spare “flex space” – into a downstairs bedroom.

A project like this is also an opportunity to replace lower beds with higher ones that are easier to get in and out of, says Eliza Wright of Hart Wright Architects in San Francisco. Most beds are 16 to 24 inches off the floor. If you choose a bed closer to 24 inches, you won’t have to squat as low to get up. Of course, it also depends on the sleeper’s height, as the ideal bed height is one where the feet are flat on the floor and the knees are in a straight line with the hips.

“It’s also a good idea to make sure you have enough space in rooms, around 4 feet, because as we get older we’re not as mobile and we bump into things,” Wright says. “But now is the time to consider larger nightstands because seniors need space for their medications and a glass of water and may have oxygen needs.”

Wright recommends converting the rooms into a bedroom and adding electrical outlets, as more may be needed to plug in medical devices or keep cell phones charged in an emergency.

Larger bathroom investments

A major investment when living on the ground floor could be installing a shower in a ground floor bathroom, as many older houses do not have bathing facilities.

Mueller’s strategy is to look for storage spaces next to the powder room where a wall can be knocked down to install a shower.

“Or,” she advises, “look for a pantry or hallway cabinets, or if you have a larger kitchen with a breakfast area, ‘steal’ that space.”

Miller says installing showers always has a positive impact on a home’s resale value, but her style recommendations for seniors are more practical: no shiny tiles on the floor (opt for a more textured surface for more grip) and rougher grout.

Built-in benches and grab bars are much more attractive today than their earlier, clinical counterparts, Mueller adds.

Plus, adjustable shower rods can usually be inexpensively swapped out by a plumber for existing hardware. And replacing existing toilets with “comfort” commode chairs that are taller than the standard 15 inches makes sitting easier for people with creaky knees, Miller says.

Tripping and grip safety for floors and doors

Simple aesthetic and engineering changes can make a big difference in safety and comfort, says Bonnie Lewis, founder of 55+ TLC Interior Design, LLC in Arizona. She recommends removing runners, as they often pose a tripping hazard for older people.

She also suggests replacing round doorknobs that require handling with door handles or levers, a simple solution that is especially helpful for people with arthritis.

Wright says raised thresholds between rooms, such as stairs, are a common tripping hazard for seniors. Flattening them is a good item for a general contractor to quickly put on their to-do list.

Bring nature into your home

Miller says garages are “super important” in snowy climates so seniors don’t have to scrape ice off their cars or shovel a slippery driveway. Still, many homes, especially in New England, don’t have a direct entrance from the garage to the interior of the house.

By adding a connection you can improve access and security, increase resale value and also create all-important storage space for those who may need more after converting to exclusive use of the ground floor.

As for sunny days, skylights are another quick improvement that often costs less than many seniors expect, Wright shares.

Creating opportunities to enjoy natural light also tops Mueller’s list of recommendations for people aging at home. Projects might include installing a window in an exterior wall or converting a patio into a screened porch to extend the season.

Mueller says, “As we become less mobile, we need to consider that we may not be able to get out and walk around as much as we used to. Creating a space at home to enjoy nature will make us feel healthier.”

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