Aging in Place

More than ever, active, vibrant and savvy Baby Boomers are undertaking design and remodeling projects in their homes with aging in place in mind. At Excel Interior Concepts & Construction, our philosophy is that beautiful home design can become even better with age. Working with our clients, we provide design solutions that will accomplish current remodeling project desires, while also thoughtfully planning ahead for the future. Some considerations are more obvious, such as barrier-free showers or added handrails and grab bars. Other design features might include increased lighting, placement of switches, and types and grading of flooring. Sometimes, designing for aging in place includes new construction with a plan for eventual first-floor living, as seen in this addition to a home in the Point Ridge Farms development in Camp Hill.

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In these types of projects, the homeowners are usually also looking to simplify and brighten the living space, in addition to increasing accessibility and convenience. The design maximized access to natural light throughout the addition with custom windows, and included various types of lighting throughout the space as well. Bathrooms are also a key area of focus in aging in place design. In this Carlisle home, we designed a large, barrier-free walk-in shower with convenient grab bars.

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In another bathroom remodel in Hummelstown, special attention was given to the type of cabinet pulls and fixtures that were used—the bar-pulls and long, levered handles are both easier to manage than small round pulls or twisting faucet fixtures.

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The goal of these remodels, and any aging in place remodel, is to make the space comfortable, safe, and easy-to-use, without sacrificing style and flair. Planning ahead and working with an experienced design and remodeling team allows you to enjoy your home now, and seamlessly transition into a more adaptive environment if your physical needs change with age. Customizing with aging in place in mind to meet your future needs is smart and adds value to your home. Even if your plans change and you decide to sell, removing problematic step downs, widening entrance ways, and increasing lighting and convenience all result in a more open and accessible floor plan—and that appeals to everyone, regardless of age.

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