It’s not often in life you are given a blank canvas on which to “paint” how you want your new home to look, but choosing the carefree senior living lifestyle gives you just that. It’s your opportunity to have fun creating your preferred ambiance. At Heritage Communities, we have some suggestions on decorating senior living apartments to get you started.
Decorating tips for your senior living retirement home
Start with a plan
Ask for a floor plan of your selected apartment so you can get an accurate idea of how much space you will have. You might also peek in the apartment of a few community residents to see how they have designed their space. Remember, there are many people around you who have been through this experience and would love to help. For example, at Heritage, our Move-in Coordinator is here to guide you through every step of the moving process, including decorating your senior living apartment.
Decide on your colors
After downsizing, you might be adding a new piece of furniture or new bedding. And you might be thinking of going with a whole new color scheme. Neutral or light colors can really open up a space. Light blues and greens are soothing. Maybe consider a pop of color in a throw, a few pillows or artwork.
Small is good
Goodbye, clunky furniture that took up a lot of space! Your new lighter lifestyle calls for new ideas, like a love seat instead of a big sofa or a dining table for four instead of twelve. Resist the temptation to fill every inch of space. Instead, keep the walkways clear and enjoy the flow of nicely uncrowded space. Your newly decorated senior living space should feel good!
Go vertical
Don’t forget the walls: they can be your gallery of lifelong memories. Travel posters from favorite destinations, photos of family celebrations, and hand-drawn masterpieces from your grandchildren are just a few ideas. Well-placed mirrors are another great choice, not only adding to your overall style but also adding depth and light to a room.
Download our free guide,
The Family Decision Toolkit!
Look for dual-purpose items
Storage pieces have come a long way. Many are doing double duty as end tables, ottomans, or console tables with hidden compartments. Tour a few furniture stores and look through some design magazines for even more ideas on how you can combine form and function in your new space.
Bring it alive
Having live plants and fresh flowers in your new apartment can help you feel relaxed and at ease. Plants also help you heal. Researchers found that hospital patients with plants in their rooms required less pain medication. Plants also release oxygen and can help “sweep” the air of mold and bacteria that can aggravate allergies. Easy-to-care-for plans include the peace lily and the “ZZ” plant. Check your floor plan to determine the source of sunlight and then decide where plants might work best in your apartment.
Make it your home
Be sure to add the touches that really say ‘home” to you. It might be a special painting, an antique mirror that’s been in the family for years, a pitcher you love to put flowers in, or that rare, autographed baseball that’s always been on the bedside table. Cherished details matter when decorating senior living. You want your new space to be comfortable and inspiring, and you want to know you’ve come home each time you walk through the door.
Less clutter. Less stress. More relaxing!
Decorating your senior living apartment isn’t just about packing and unpacking boxes. It’s about embracing newfound freedom in every moment. It’s about cherishing what you have and finding joy in your surroundings. Your canvas awaits!
At Heritage Communities, we create the senior living experience you want. We’d love to tell you more.
We are redefining living for the better. Download our free guide, The Family Decision Toolkit. Or contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour.
