Even though most Boomers are either retired or close to retirement, that doesn’t mean they are done and are resting in their rocking chairs. Many are still in their field of industry and are consulting on their own schedule or they are volunteering in their communities. Most of the wealth and spending is with the Boomer age group and they are a force to be reckoned with as they remain the largest age group with the most spending power.

Independence with this age group is vital and being able to make decisions in regards to lifestyle, work and play has been a critical topic for discussion for not just Boomers, but for their family and friends as well.

Let’s admit it, no one wants to grow older, unless you’re in preschool and you want to grow up like your parents. Depending on the individual, growing older and aging can mean preparing for an environment where that individual can remain independent and maintain a lifestyle that is comfortable for them. Whether that individual wants to downsize to a more manageable accommodations or create an environment where movement through the space they already occupy is easy and uncombersome.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own alone and community safely, independently, and comfortable, regardless of age, income, or ability level. That sounds like a wonderful goal to shoot for, but what does that mean for Boomers? Everyone is different and will need different to meet different needs for whatever stage of life they might be in.

That being said, to have a home, office or just about any public space for that matter, meet the needs of the people that use it, those needs need to listed, addressed and quantify in a respectful, careful and appropriate manner.

When you incorporating a registered interior designer in the planning stage of a project, whether it’s a remodel or new build, that professional will take into account not only how you live, but how you entertain, how many visitors you may have, what lifestyle you would like to keep, what type of health you’re in or what type of health you’d like to be in and contingency of what might be needed in the event of incapacitation or a change or decrease in mobility.

Collaborating with an interior designer and focusing in on areas in and around the home or office where hazards may lay for individuals that have decreased dexterity or limited movement, can help create preliminary programming that can increase the effectiveness of that space.

Bathing and dressing for individuals with limited movement can be a challenge. Creating spaces that are beautiful and functional can help individuals keep a sense of dignity without taking away from design. Using curb-free showers with incorporated benches can allow individuals to access the shower area without the fear of tripping over the curb and being able to transfer easily from a wheelchair to a bench area without any physical barriers. Using beautiful non-slip materials, such as textured porcelain tiles can prevent slippage while walking into the shower area.

In addition, grab niches can be created by using half walls and niches in the design, to allow individuals to be able to support themselves or to prevent falling by being able to support part of their weight on these structures.

As our eyes age, it become difficult for some to see in dim light or to be able to detect depth perception. Creating a tile design with dramatic hue differences at transition areas or delineating different heights in the floors or walls, helps individuals with sight challenges to be able to discern changes in those critical areas, thus helping to prevent trips, falls and injury.

Using technology to help individuals transfer from areas in a space can be an effective way for designers to help clients stay safe in their environment and still retain their independence. For instance, using devices like Alexa, Google Home, Nest SmartThings, Logitech Harmony, etc. can assist individuals with things like making shopping lists, calling for help if they have fallen, helping to keep track of when medicines need to be taken, turning lights on and off as an individual moves through the space. An interior designer is able to incorporate any smart hub in the project programming in an early stage and help their clients make decisions on what is necessary for their wants and needs.

Collaboration with an interior designer that specializes and has experience in Aging in Place projects at a very early stage in the design process can be a vital tool for Boomers and their family and friends to use as they make this necessary transition into the next stage of their lives. Creating an environment where these important members of our community can feel safe and retain their freedom and dignity is very important and should be embraced by all.

Photo: Monica Silvestre via pexel

When it comes to buying a new home or redecorating your current home, painting is usually the first thing that comes to mind. You want your walls to make a statement without making too loud of a statement. Painting is the best do it yourself project and you do not need to spend a mass amount of money hiring painters to do the job for you. Choosing the right colors for your home, however, can be quite a bit overwhelming. Not knowing which colors clash or which colors compliment each other is where choosing a paint scheme gets tough.

When choosing a new paint color for your home’s walls, you will want to look for inspiration in an object you love that is going in the room you are painting. This item can be a chair, sofa, curtains, or a work of art. This item will become the centerpiece for your new color scheme. If your chosen item has more than one color within it then just choose your favorite color out of all of them.

If you are looking to redecorate your home in a modern, yet fool proof and sophisticated way, you may want to go with a monochromatic color scheme. This color scheme is made up of one color in varying shades. You will want to choose a color that compliments your centerpiece, but does not match the color exactly. You will not want to match your red chair to red walls, as that will bring confusion and will not be very attractive. After you have chosen your main color for your walls, you will want to choose colors in the same hue to paint your trim and accent walls. These three colors should be in dark, medium, and light shades.

Deciding what color will go where is the next step in the monochromatic painting process. If your centerpiece is dark in color, you will want to choose the lighter or medium color for the main and accent walls or if the centerpiece is lighter, you will want to choose the dark or medium colors for the main and accent walls. Next is throwing pops of color into the room you are decorating. The best way to do this is to decorate with accent pieces, such as darker or lighter end tables, throw pillows, and decorative vases. Choosing colors for your accent pieces that are contrasting in color such as white, gray, and black will give the room you are redecorating depth and variety.

The most important thing to remember when painting a monochromatic scheme in your house is to not be too boring with items. If you choose gray for your centerpiece, choose a brighter hue like yellow or purple for your paint colors. If you choose a bright blue centerpiece, you will not want to choose black for your accent or main walls. Try more neutral browns, or very light blues that compliment your piece. Lastly, remember to have fun with it! Painting and redecorating does not have to feel like a chore, especially when you are centering the whole room around a piece that you love.