The downsizing is done, the move is over, and now it’s time to decorate! Everyone has their own preferences but there are many ways to decorate a senior living apartment that can make it feel like home quickly and effortlessly. Before beginning to decorate a senior living apartment, consider these expert tips.
Expert tips for decorating a senior living apartment
Tip #1 – Bring favorite furniture
Furniture is a big part of decorating and bringing favorite pieces of furniture along can make an apartment feel like home right from the start. Although not every item from a home will fit, small couches, chairs, and loveseats are excellent choices, as are smaller dining room sets. To decorate a senior living apartment with old favorites, consider adding new pieces that complement the old without sacrificing space. For example, small coffee and end tables that double as storage, floating wall shelves for showing off collections and keepsakes, and furniture like fold-out desks that hang on the wall when not needed. Check out more great ideas for apartment furniture in the apartmenttherapy.com article, “38 Big Ideas for Small Living Rooms That Maximize Every Square Inch of Space.”
Tip #2 – Maximize light
Apartments are small in general so one of the essential tips to keep in mind is lighting. According to the nia.nih.gov article, “Aging and Your Eyes,” getting older can bring about changes to eyesight including a lowered ability to adjust to changing levels of light and low vision, which makes it harder to distinguish faces and read. Adding lighting can help see better and make life safer.
As noted in the lampsusa.com article, “30 Lighting Tips for Seniors” the amount of light needed by older eyes to see in darker areas and to read or do hobbies is many times greater than it is for a 20-year-old. To decorate a senior living apartment with light try these ideas:
- Increase ambient light which is light that illuminates an entire space.
- Increase lightbulb wattage up to the limits of the device.
- Add table and floor lamps that can be easily moved.
- Make the most of natural light by opening blinds and curtains.
- Keep wall colors light.
- Add lighting in work areas like kitchens and hobby areas.
Tip #3 – Organize storage
To decorate a senior living apartment with space in mind it’s important to keep clutter at a minimum by organizing storage. As noted above, furniture is one solution but according to thespruce.com article, “30 Small Apartment Storage Ideas to Maximize Space” there are plenty more ways to get it done. For example, using baskets under a table for clutter, hanging cleaning tools on a closet wall, and using risers in pantries and cupboards can make space where none existed before with little investment.
To really make the most of closets, purchasing made-to-order closet organizing systems is another option. As described in the goodhousekeeping.com article, “The Best Closet Systems to Get More Organized,” these can truly make storage a breeze and can be made to fit even the smallest closets.
#4 – Get reflective
A well-known trick among professionals is the use of strategically placed mirrors to make small spaces seem larger and brighter. Mirrors come in a seemingly endless number of shapes, sizes and colors and when well-placed, are both utilitarian and beautiful. One of the best uses of mirrors noted in the bhg.com article, “16 Ideas for Decorating with Mirrors,” is in a dark room or other space like a hallway or entranceway where they perform like a window to reflect light and brighten the area. Another excellent idea to decorate a senior living apartment is a large wall mirror that can double the size of a room instantly. Mirrors can work as part of a wall grouping, in small bathrooms, and as a focal point when placed on or hung above a bureau or other piece of furniture.
#5 – Consider color
To decorate a senior living apartment that suits the personality and preferences of the resident, color is the most important tool to consider. While lighter colors make small spaces brighter, some prefer a darker color in the bedroom to enhance sleep. A spot of color, such as on one wall can also help to create a focal point for a work of art, and colorful accessories like pillows, frames, and rugs can bring a room together so it feels like a comfy spot to rest, work, or entertain. For a look at some of the many ways to decorate a senior living apartment with color, the homesandgardens.com article, “The best color combinations for small rooms – 12 ways to bring character to compact spaces” is a great resource.
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