When do you Need the Help of an Interior Designer?
In the past 15 years of my chosen profession, Interior Design, I find myself being called upon when there is some sort of change coming about in a household – marriage, new home, new wife, girlfriend, divorce, older parents moving back in, children moving back in… I could go on.
The dilemma is – are you ready to adapt your home to your evolving situation? It’s fascinating to me how life keeps throwing us different scenarios about how we might have to live. Are you thinking about all the possibilities?
Being north of 60 has made me aware of changes that might be coming. I thought it might be helpful for this post to talk about the pros and cons of both “Aging in Place” and “Downsizing”.
Things to consider
I live in an old house with twisty winding steep stairways. My workout area is in the attic. I have recently installed some grab bars. They are beautiful brass grab bars. All in-home adaptations have become more attractive. Thank goodness. Nonetheless, the grab bars are an indication that I may need them at some point. I use them for fun right now. I noticed that friends trying to get up or down the stairs (all much younger than me) seem terrified. At least the grab bars are there now.
I didn’t come from parents (or in-laws) who were remotely thinking about moving out of their home to something more suitable for aging in place. I don’t think it occurred to them that it might be difficult negotiating stairs – or even one step.
My dad installed grab bars to get from his den where he watched football up the two steps into the rest of the house. Indeed, my parents never moved out of their home. They were used to the effort needed to climb stairs, and both accomplished this until about the last 2 weeks of their lives. When I spoke to my dad about walking more instead of reading in his chair, he said that just getting up and down the stairs was his exercise. (Double railings on either side of the steps were a big help.)
I have worked with many people who have decided to make the move into continuing care retirement communities (CCRC’s) or over-55 communities. These are usually beautiful and, in most cases, place you in a situation among people the same age. This is not inexpensive, and depending on who you are, may not be such a good idea.
There are new personalities to negotiate living so close together, some new friendships that are wonderful to discover at this age and transition, and some groups that are a throwback to high school in not such an uplifting way. Cliques can happen at any age. This is a bigger factor in the success of this transition than you might think.
CCRC’s and over-55’s are full of design choices – colors, flooring, furniture, lighting – all of which you will have to choose in a very short time. Very overwhelming.
What to bring with you from your old home can be just as difficult to figure out.
And then there is what you will need to add. I have helped with many of these decisions. This can be fun. And emotional.
How do you do it without regret? I’m not sure you can. The idea is to stay forward thinking. Thinking about the possibilities of what’s next helps.
The idea of simplifying life without so much stuff always feels good. It’s difficult to know when the time is to downsize. I know staying close to friends and family is the most important thing.
You always bring your life with you.
Or stay where you are.
Your safety and comfort – emotional as well as physical – are important. Less stuff is always freeing. I’m uniquely qualified to help with both options.
By the way, I probably won’t be moving. Just getting rid of more stuff.