Decorating Tips for Your Senior Living Retirement Home

‍

As you or an older loved one prepare to move to a senior living community, you may wonder if the new space will ever really feel like home. It may take some time, but yes, based on the experiences of our residents, it certainly will. You have a lot to look forward to, and one way to get comfortable in your new surroundings is by decorating your senior living space with personal touches. Here are some ideas.

Tips for decorating senior living apartments

• Plan in advance – Having a plan in place ahead of time not only makes it easier and quicker to get your new space ready, but it also helps you or your loved one to start settling into the idea of senior living being home. To plan ahead, request a floorplan and evaluate how much space you have, as well as the layout you're working with in decorating for senior living. Your community may also provide certain items, so check with them to see what may already be in the space. Then, start thinking about how to arrange the space in a way that's familiar yet functional. For example, consider how you might recreate your reading nook or crafting area or even make sure your favorite chair is in a similar position near the TV.

• Mix the familiar with the new – Working with less space doesn't necessarily mean leaving the things that give your home its unique style and feel behind. That's why you should carefully consider what favorite items to take to your new space. Some ideas include getting a smaller couch but keeping your throw pillows. Or if you need to switch from a king to a queen bed, get bedding in similar colors or purchase a smaller dining set in a similar style as the one you have now. When decorating your senior living space, you might also use the same artwork and décor to make it feel familiar.  

• Pull in personal touches – Another way for your space to feel more like home is to add framed photos of family and friends or even a digital frame that can hold hundreds of images when decorating for senior living. Also, make sure to dedicate a space for the grandkids' artwork and your special collections, whether it's keepsakes from your travels, first-edition novels, or your favorite records; surrounding yourself with things that fill your heart with joy is key.

• Add color to your space – Color has a bigger impact on how comfortable you feel in your space than you realize. Whether it's painting the walls (check with your community first) or adding color through your décor, decorating for senior living with a color scheme that speaks to your personality will most definitely help you feel more at home. Keep in mind that cooler colors make spaces seem larger, while warm colors make spaces feel cozier.  

Decorating senior living apartments to maximize the space

Moving to senior living typically means downsizing. However, your new home can still feel spacious and functional even though it's a smaller space. For example, get creative and use dual-purpose items like an ottoman with a storage space inside to maximize your space. And don't forget your vertical space with shelving and furniture pieces that go up to the ceiling, which not only gives you more storage and/or area to display those keepsakes, photos, and collections but can also make the ceiling feel taller. Mirrors can help the space feel larger as well, and they can help break up the visual clutter. Just simply place one opposite a window to reflect the light or place one behind a light source.

Remember: home is where the heart is

As you well know, home is more than just a space; it's a feeling. That's why we offer so many ways for our residents to get connected and stay connected in our community. Because after finding friends and fun things to do, many residents tell us they wish they'd moved sooner! So, make sure to get the community's monthly calendar right away to see what's available that you or your loved one might enjoy.  

Download our Just the Facts Guide to Independent Living guide today for more information about choosing the independent living lifestyle for retirement.