No matter how comfortable your assisted living space is, it probably won’t feel quite like home until you add your own personal touch. Decorating your unit can be exciting, but it can also be challenging to create an area that’s aesthetically pleasing and safe. Use these tips to get started adorning your space in a way that’s comfortable, convenient and charming.
Go through your belongings
Once you’ve decided upon a senior living center that’s right for you, start sifting through all the items in your home. If you currently reside in a small apartment, chances are you’ll be able to bring most of your belongings with you to your new residence. If you’re living in a larger house, however, you’ll have to make choices about what items can stay and what things you can get rid of. This task can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re preparing to leave a long-time home filled with years of belongings.
“Make a list of your favorite items.”
Avoid getting flustered by the magnitude of this duty by making a list of your favorite items. This could be anything, from your softest pillow to an antique chest of drawers. Next, consider which of these items you’ll be able to bring with you to your new home. While the pillow is certainly fine, the chest is likely too cumbersome to bring with you, and could present a number of safety risks and general inconveniences. While it can be difficult to part with pieces you’ve held onto for years, knowing they’re being appreciated can make the transition much easier. See if friends or family members may want to take some of the belongings you won’t be able to keep, or donate them to charity. Ask a loved one to hold onto seasonal items, like Christmas decorations, until that time of year rolls around to help you save storage space.
Survey and prepare the space
Now that you have an idea of what pieces you want to incorporate into your decorating plan, you can figure out just how you want the overall space to look. Start by thinking about colors, A Place for Mom recommended. For safety purposes, consider using shades that are in stark contrast to one another for your walls, furniture, drapes and floors. The source explained that this can help prevent accidents caused by vision problems, and that people with eyesight issues can benefit most from warm and neutral tones, which are easier to see.
When selecting furniture, the source recommended staying away from glass pieces, since their delicate, sharp edges and near invisibility are bound to cause injuries. For the safest area possible, stick to upholstered furniture with rounded edges. Make sure the pieces aren’t too plush, however, since this can make standing up difficult. Opt for soft yet supportive chairs and couches for both comfort and safety.
“Don’t clutter your space with too much furniture.”
Additionally, don’t clutter your space with too much furniture. After all, assisted living units tend to be on the smaller side, and stuffing tons of furniture into those spaces can make them appear even tinier, in addition to increasing your risk of tripping and falling. Get the measurements for your apartment ahead of time so you can plan effectively. For example, perhaps a loveseat and a couple of chairs would work better than a big couch. Play around with different seating arrangement ideas until you find one that suits you and your new area.
Make sure whatever layout you decide to use has wide, clear paths that can accommodate walkers or wheelchairs, noted A Place for Mom. Plan where you’ll keep appliances that require plugs so you can effectively conceal wires and other hazards, and choose rugs that lie flat and can be secured. While you might have an old rug that would fit the space just fine, if its corners are starting to turn upward you should consider purchasing a new one. Hazards like these may seem small but can pose major risks to your safety and the safety of your guests.
Make sure your space has safe, comfortable seating so you and your guests feel right at home.
Get creative
Once you’ve ironed out the technical side of designing your new space, it’s time to have some fun! Keeping safety in mind, add pictures, artwork and other details to make the space feel complete. Consider adding a low bookshelf to your area where you can display framed photos, awards, books and other keepsakes. Ask a loved one to help you securely hang images on the wall. If you’re worried about heavy frames falling, try putting up posters or lightweight canvas prints instead.
Show your personal style through accents like decorative pillows or fun throws, both of which can help tie all your design elements together and really make the space appear homey and cohesive. If you plan on having guests, have candy dishes and coasters so you can entertain properly.
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