5 Smart Home Renovations Before Retirement

in Home Improvement

Retirement may seem still quite far away to you, but that’s all the more reason to upgrade your home for when the time comes to actually retire. That way, you won’t have to worry about a thing (at least when it comes to your home) and simply enjoy your new retired life to the fullest. But, retirement also means aging, which is precisely what you need to take into account when taking up this renovation work.

Improve the security of your home

One of the first renovation projects you should consider before you retire is the need to update your home security. There are many ways to do this. Of course, the best option would be to install an effective alarm system. But that’s not all. You might want to replace your doors for a sturdier alternative with more complex locks. Also, it would be a good idea to install motion sensor lighting outdoors. Aside from burglar-prevention, you should also focus on improving the air quality inside your home with the right ventilation system. Moreover, invest in effective fire ducts together with an adequate fire extinguisher, to be on the safe side.

Fix the floors and minimize fall hazards

You never know what the next day may bring and, in that respect, it’s important to secure your comfort once you retire. When it comes to your home renovations, you might want to analyze the state of your floors as well as stairs, if you have any. In case your floors have cracks, are uneven at some places or tend to be really slippery, you need to deal with this issue as soon as possible. After all, you want to minimize the possibility of falls inside your home, which can cause more serious injuries with age. In the same vein, secure your stairs. Make sure that the railing is properly fixed to the stairs and tighten or reinstall the rug holders into place.

Home improvement

Protect yourself from the sun

Natural light is healthy but too much sun exposure can also end up affecting you poorly, which is even more dangerous for the elderly. In case you live in a really warm climate, such as Australia, for example, you need to protect yourself from damaging sun rays and heat when you’re indoors as well. You can use a PVC plantation shutter for this purpose. In which case, you might want to look into durable plantation shutters from Sydney that will effectively boost sun protection yet add a rather stylish touch to your home. Of course, set a reminder to clean and maintain your air conditioner once a year.

Reducing the amount of time you need to spend doing manual labour outside is important too, which is why having someone keep your trees under control is an absolute must. Even if you’re not quite ready to retire yet, but enjoy maintaining trees for yourself and others, it’s a competitive world out there, especially in niches like tree services, which is why you might need help marketing your skills.

Treat yourself with a deck addition

It’s true that you should avoid direct sun exposure, especially in the summer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the outdoors. Actually, spending time outside in the fresh air is rather good for you and will make your retirement truly enjoyable. That said, definitely consider adding a deck to your yard. Of course, discuss the best options for adequate shade with the contractors to achieve maximum comfort. Not to mention that if you end up deciding to sell your current home and downsize in retirement, the deck addition will boost your home’s resale value.

Upgrade your bathroom

You might find it easy to get into a bathtub at this moment and many people can’t even fathom the idea that this act might turn out to be difficult for them as they get older. But, the fact of the matter is that it would be safer and wiser for the retired you and maybe even your spouse to replace the bathtub with a simple shower that’s easy to get into. If you’re not ready to make this kind of update or still find it unnecessary, at least install a grab handle near the tub, just in case. Anti-slip mats in the bathroom will also come in handy.

Conclusion

Throughout our lives, we tend to adjust our home interior to fit our needs. That said, there’s no reason to dread the necessary changes before retirement. It’s only natural that you want to provide yourself (and your partner) with the utmost level of comfort and security.

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