When after a lot of searching, building and renovating you finally live in the house of your dreams with your family, then moving is probably the last thing on your mind. That's how it is with us. We therefore try to make smart choices to ensure that our home is also suitable for us in the future. So that we can continue to live independently for longer. And by us I mean Frank, myself and possibly also the children. Those smart choices are also important if you are considering taking your parents into your home.
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What kind of floor do you want in your dream home? A cast floor? tiling? Herringbone parquet? Each and every one of them beautiful and durable floors. When selecting a floor or when your architect makes the design, make sure that the floor continues throughout. It gives a spacious and chic effect if you do not have thresholds that interrupt sight lines. We have now done the same with the floor. The thresholds to the hall and the utility room have already been removed and when we later install the PVC floor to the office and the chill area, the thresholds will also go away.
But it is not only beautiful, it is also practical. Thresholds can form an obstacle in the future. No thresholds means a smaller risk of a fall. It may sound a bit far-fetched, but it is surprising how many seniors end up in the emergency room because of a fall in and around the house. I experienced it myself with my father. In the end, he tripped about halfway through the paving stones. But that can also happen with thresholds in the house. If you want to live independently for longer, that is a good tip.
Other things such as the stairs can of course also form a risk of falling, but a stairlift is quickly installed. Making an entire home barrier-free is another story. Moreover, it will not make your carefully selected floor more beautiful. Sin!
The kitchen and the bathroom are those spaces that determine the atmosphere and individuality of your home. Not only by choosing striking elements, but the kitchen is also increasingly becoming a place where people live. And the same is increasingly true for the bathroom. But beware:the kitchen and bathroom are the first places in the house where dangerous situations can arise as you get older. So if you want to continue living independently for longer, it is smart to think about this when designing your kitchen and bathroom. Keep the following things in mind when designing a new kitchen and bathroom:
Fun now and ideal in the future:a smarthome in which you can control everything by voice. There is little reason not to opt for smart solutions. That's what Frank always calls out 😉 . From a smart thermostat, lamps and curtains to a Google Home, Amazon Alexa or one of the other smart assistants. Moreover, such assistants can also be set up in such a way that they warn a caregiver if no one has moved in the house for a while. Now you probably don't want this kind of control. But if you are left alone in your dream house and you have trouble walking or having problems with your memory, it can be a welcome addition to regular care. And so you can continue to live independently for longer.
In short, a few small things to keep in mind when designing your dream home, so that you can continue to live there safely and comfortably even when other times come.
