Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Remodeling? Think ease and independence

If you’re like most Americans, you plan to remain in your current home when you retire. You may already be thinking about making changes to alter your home so it better suits your future lifestyle.

Perhaps you want to enlarge the kitchen to make it more of a social area for cooking and entertaining, turn the family room into a home entertainment center, or convert an extra bedroom into a home office or fitness or hobby room. Whatever your plans, don’t overlook the changes that will increase functionality throughout the house. Even if you don’t have any major remodeling projects in mind, a few simple alterations can pay big dividends by making daily chores much easier. And, if you do decide to sell later, these changes can add to the value of your home.

Replace traditional toggle light switches with rocker switches (preferably those with built-in dimmer devices), light sensors or voice-activated switches. These devices not only make it easier to control lighting when hands are full or wet, they also encourage more efficient use of lighting and help reduce utility costs.

Ensure that rooms and work areas have proper and adequate lighting. Normal changes in vision that occur over time require more light to maintain visual acuity. Increase bulb wattage in lamps and fixtures, but first make sure they will safely accommodate the additional wattage. Position lighting to illuminate the areas of the room that will be used for reading or other activities. Use natural, light colors around work areas such as sinks, in kitchens and bathrooms, and place additional light over the most often used workspaces, directed to avoid creating shadows.

One of the simplest ways to make your home more functional is to place stored items within easier reach. Install slide-out shelves in kitchen cabinets and pantries to improve access and increase storage. Reduce the need to overstretch or fumble with heavy or awkward boxes by using organizers or secured racks that place items near at hand in bedroom, coat and storage closets.

If a kitchen makeover is in your plans, take advantage of the many convenience products available. When replacing appliances, consider those that require less reaching and bending. Some refrigerator models come with the freezer on the side or the bottom rather than the top, allowing easier handling of heavy frozen items. Several companies manufacture refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers that slide out like drawers, making loading and unloading much easier.

Instead of situating a microwave oven over a stovetop, place it on a nearby counter or mount it under a cabinet. If you are planning to remodel or replace cabinets, elevate the dishwasher 12 inches above the floor and place upper cabinets no higher than 48 inches from the floor. Pull out and adjustable counters and workspaces provide greater flexibility for different types of cooking tasks and can better accommodate helpers of various ages.

In the bathroom, replace an enclosed vanity with countertops or a pedestal sink to enhance leg room. If you currently have a bathtub/shower combination but rarely use the tub, consider installing a walk-in shower with a flexible showerhead or a long hose and temperature controls instead. Install blocking to support grab bars, which are a must for safety and convenience and come in a variety of fashionable styles and colors. New countertop and flooring products can add color and drama with the added advantage of easy maintenance.

A qualified interior designer can help you with these and many other improvements that will make your home more comfortable and functional. To find out how to locate a qualified interior designer in your community, check out the free ASID Worldwide Referral Service at www.interiors.org. To learn how to choose and work with an interior designer, go to the ASID Web site at www.asid.org.

— ARA Content