Most people plan for their mortgage, retirement and major home repairs. Fewer people ask whether their house will still work well for them ten years from now.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Start with the places you use every day.
- Entrance: Could you comfortably enter your home if stairs became difficult temporarily?
- Bathroom: Do you have to step over a bathtub to shower?
- Stairs: Are the stairs well lit, and are there secure handrails?
- Kitchen: Are everyday items easy to reach without climbing, stretching or bending?
- Bedroom and laundry: Are the rooms you need every day located conveniently?
You Don’t Need to Predict the Future
Being future-ready doesn’t mean assuming something bad is going to happen. It means avoiding unnecessary limitations when you make decisions today.
For example, if you’re already renovating a bathroom, you might choose a shower that’s easier to enter rather than replacing your bathtub with another high-sided tub. If you’re replacing lighting, you can improve illumination in the hallway at the same time.
Think Ahead When You’re Already Making Changes
The easiest time to prepare your home is often when you’re already renovating it. You don’t need to redesign everything today. You simply want today’s renovation decisions to still make sense ten years from now.