Decorating your new assisted living apartment can be a fun and inspiring activity that gives you the freedom to create a haven all your own. With a little planning and forethought, you can feel right at home right away, free from daily obligations and worries. At Heritage, we’re here to help, with a few assisted living decorating ideas and some insight into senior living furniture that might work best for you.
First, what to bring to your new home: The basics
If it’s been a long time since you moved into a new space, you might feel a bit overwhelmed. Start by asking for a floor plan so you can see the exact dimensions of your new space in order to be sure your furnishings will fit as you desire. But before you start choosing senior living furniture, it’s a good idea to first just think about the essentials you’ll need to enjoy everyday life.
Here’s a list of “essentials” that we at Heritage suggest to our new residents of assisted living:
Furnishings
- Twin, full or queen-sized bed
- Dresser
- Couch, chairs, or loveseat
- Coffee table, end table, etc.
- Nightstand
- Landline telephone and/or cell phone, computer
- Lamps
- Wall clock, alarm clock
- Collectables and knick-knacks, family pictures, wall décor
Linens:
- Two sets of sheets
- Mattress cover (bed bug specific)
- Bath towels, hand towels
- Blankets, comforters, bedspread
- Pillow
- Curtain and rods (optional)
Miscellaneous
- Toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels
- Laundry detergent, drier sheets (if doing your own laundry)
- Garbage can & liners for kitchen and bath
- Plates, silverware, storage containers
- Laundry basket
- Listing of important phone numbers
- Bathroom accessories and supplies
- Shower curtain, liner and shower hooks
Next, Consider a few of these assisted living decorating ideas
- Small is good for senior living furniture. You want to be comfortable, but you need room to move around safely without anything blocking your path. So maybe instead of a couch, consider a loveseat. Or two cozy chairs. Choosing a smaller single or double bed will also give you a bit of extra room.
- Think double duty. Look for senior living furniture that can be dual-purpose. Like a small cabinet that can also be an end table. Or an ottoman that has storage. Fewer pieces, but more room left over. Assisted living decorating is all about doing more with less…and loving it!
- Remember the walls. Have several photos of grandchildren, favorite vacation destinations, or just cherished artwork you want to see every day? Use the walls of your apartment as a personal gallery. That way, you are surrounded by wonderful memories, and you can switch them around as often as you like. And they make great conversation starters when new friends drop by!
- If you love it, bring it. This is your new home; your place to relax and recharge as you please. So be sure to think about what things really bring you joy. It could be a shawl your mother knitted many years ago. A cherished dining table could be redesigned to fit your new space. A vase you brought from Italy. A clock you’ve had since childhood. Bring them with you and continue to enjoy them.
- Treat yourself to something new. When you’re thinking about senior living furniture, think about what’s always been on your wish list: is it a cozy rocker? A new curio cabinet? Consider your space, and then go shopping to get some ideas. Drop in a few other resident apartments and see what they’ve done. Senior living furniture isn’t meant to be boring. Treat yourself!
It’s your new home: make it special and make it your own. Take the time to think about the ambiance you are going for. Light colors to reflect the sunshine? An occasional pop of color with a pillow or tapestry? Maybe fresh flowers in your bedroom. It’s about more than senior living furniture or a clock on the wall: it’s about having the freedom and the flexibility to live as you choose.
It starts with a conversation or a tour of one of our communities. Download our free guide, The Complete Guide to Choosing Between Senior Living Options. Or contact us today.