Trending Home Renovations for Baby Boomers

More than half of the Baby Boomer generation (currently age 55-75) say they'll never move from their current home.  Here are 3 trending renovation ideas to help Boomers update and enjoy their current home for many years to come.

In Part One of this 3-part series, How the Homebuying Habits of Baby Boomers Can Impact You, we looked at the newly emerging home buying (and selling) habits of Baby Boomers and its impact on the housing market.  Many Boomers are saying they'll never downsize and those who are stepping down to smaller homes may have a hard time selling big, outdated homes.  

Then in Part Two we reviewed Home Staging for Baby Boomers to learn what you can do if you're wanting to sell a dated home.

In Part Three, we're taking a look at renovations for Boomers who are opting to stay put.  Whether they're keeping their home because they love the neighborhood or because they simply still love the home itself, many Boomers are considering how their home will fit them into their next chapter of life.  Perhaps a larger nest egg now provides extra cash for improvements that weren't possible before.  Along with retirement, now may be the time to freshen up dated bathrooms and living spaces.  And it never hurts to consider the changes in physical mobility that come with aging.  From main level master suites to larger dining and entertaining spaces, Boomers are taking on renovations that will make their homes more beautiful and functional.

Reworking the Kitchen

There’s good reason why kitchen redos are so popular. The kitchen is the room people generally use most, it can grow outdated fairly quickly, it can be renovated without your having to move out (though you may have to eat out), and it can add a lot of value to a house.  Installing a combination of extra shelving, new appliances, new countertops, and new floors can update a kitchen dramatically.  And these renovations are worth considering for aging-related needs:

  • Choose an open floor plan. An open floor plan can be easier to navigate than one with closed-off rooms.
  • Include robust lighting systems such as in-cabinet lighting. As people age they need more light to see well compared with when they were younger.
  • Upgrade wall ovens and cooktops. Choosing a wall oven can eliminate the need to bend over to reach into the oven.
  • Choose touch-only or touch-free faucets. Turning a faucet knob with hands that have arthritis can be challenging, and touch-only or touch-free faucets can eliminate this challenge.
  • Swap out stone or tile.  While beautiful, hard flooring is unforgiving.  Swapping out stone or tile for a vinyl floor will not only soften the feel of the kitchen but make maintaining the floor easier.

 

Main Level Master Suite

Master bedrooms are a popular renovation choice and many Boomers are creating master suites on the main floors of their homes to make aging in place easy. 

Functionality within the master suite is important. Renovations to consider are adding more storage by converting an adjacent room into a walk-in closet or master sitting area, choosing age accessible features such as a curbless shower and grab bars in the bathroom, or bringing in a more luxurious look and experience with new bedding or lighting.

 

If your home has multiple, smaller bedrooms, or smaller bedrooms in general, consider knocking down the walls between them or completing an addition to create more space. There is a huge trend in master suites serving as a getaway and a place to relax, especially for those who have other family members living with them.

Exterior Overhaul

An updated exterior is a win-win because it can add appeal and cut back on maintenance.  While suburban condos and senior communities offer maintenance-free living, Boomers choosing to stay in their single-family homes might consider an exterior overhaul to help preserve more of their time for leisure.

  • Switch-Out the Siding.  Wood siding can be replaced with stucco, stone or fiber-cement products to eliminate the need to paint or stain. 
  • Add Durable Decking.  Front porches and decks around the home can be replaced with durable composite decking such as Trex.  Today's varieties of composite decking do an excellent job of mimicking the color and grain of natural wood.
  • Use PVC for Porch and Deck Railings.  Now more than ever, PVC, composite, and fiberglass products do a  good job of looking like well-crafted wood railings and hidden fastening methods do away with some of the tackier connectors visible on older systems.
  • Opt for Metal for a "Forever Roof."  Metal roofing comes with a 40 to 50 year warranty and is one of the toughest, most maintenance-free roofing materials made.  In addition to traditional standing seam panels, today's roofing products include varieties that mimic slate, clay tiles, and wood shakes.

 👉 If you're a Boomer wanting to sell your home, here are 3 staging tips to make your house more appealing to Gen X and Millennial buyers.

 

Would you like a designer's eye in your home?
Get 1-on-1 Staging or Interior Design advice by VIDEO CALL or IN-PERSON
or
Subscribe to my newsletter and you'll get the two tools I made just for sellers: a DIY Staging Checklist and the 5 Things Every Home Needs to Attract a Buyer
Follow us on Facebook for Staging tips you can easily apply in the home you're selling - @StageMyListings 
This page contains affiliate links and I may be paid a commission for the products I recommend.  Thank you for your support of my business.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published