How To Make Senior Living Feel Like Home: Tips and Ideas

Transitioning to senior living can be a significant adjustment, filled with emotions of both excitement and uncertainty. Though moving to a new space may seem daunting, there are many ways to ensure your new apartment feels like home. In this blog, we share valuable insights and practical tips to help you personalize your senior living apartment and create a sense of comfort and familiarity in your new home. From optimizing space to incorporating personal touches, we’ll explore various strategies to make senior living truly feel like home.

Importance of Optimizing Your New Apartment Home

Selecting The Right Apartment Size for Your Needs

Choosing the appropriate apartment size tailored to individual needs and preferences is essential in creating a comfortable home. Seniors transitioning to apartment living may find themselves faced with the challenge of downsizing, which can initially seem overwhelming. However, selecting a size that aligns with lifestyle requirements can greatly enhance your overall living experience. 

Not sure what size apartment is right for you? Refer to our guide, Finding the Right Apartment Size for Seniors, for a helpful list of things to consider when choosing your new apartment layout.

Making Space For What’s Important

Downsizing from a larger house to a senior apartment home may require thoughtful planning and strategic decision-making to make the most of your new space. Here are some practical tips to help you organize and maximize space within your new apartment:

• Finding The Right Furniture: Carefully select furniture pieces with functionality and space utilization in mind. If your current furniture is rather large or bulky, or you are simply looking for something that better fits your lifestyle, you may want to consider investing in more functional pieces that maximize your space while meeting your  practical needs. Items like foldable tables, storage ottomans, and adjustable shelving systems can help to create a versatile apartment space that you can thrive in.
• Strategic Placement: Ensure the functionality of your new apartment home by strategically placing furniture and everyday items within easy reach. Arrange furniture to create clear pathways and designate specific areas for different activities, such as dining, relaxation, and entertainment. Even in a studio apartment, there are many ways to design your home to make a smaller place feel bigger.
• Smart Organization Techniques: Being mindful when organizing your new home can help to minimize clutter and maximize your usable living area. Consider using vertical storage solutions, such as wall-mounted shelves or hanging organizers, to free up floor space and keep surfaces tidy. For more on how to best organize your new home, check out these tips on how to organize and maximize the space in your senior apartment.

By implementing these practical strategies, you can create a comfortable and functional apartment home that optimizes space and enhances your daily life. For further insights on how transitioning to a senior living apartment can enhance your life, check out these top benefits of downsizing.

Decorating Tips To Create A Warm And Comforting Space

Personalization is key to making a senior apartment feel like home. Here are some creative decorating ideas to infuse warmth, charm, and personalization into your new apartment:

• Decorate with Sentimental Items: Fill your apartment home with items that hold sentimental value and evoke cherished memories. Display family photographs, heirlooms, and mementos throughout the apartment to create a sense of familiarity and connection to loved ones.
• Add Mirrors for Illusion of Space: Incorporate mirrors strategically to make the space feel larger and brighter. Placing mirrors opposite windows can reflect natural light, while strategically positioned mirrors can create the illusion of depth and openness in smaller rooms.
• Display Pictures of Loved Ones: Surround yourself with memories by displaying photographs of loved ones and favorite moments. Create a gallery wall, scatter framed pictures throughout, or use a digital photo frame to showcase a variety of images while saving some space around your apartment. Adding a personal touch can make all the difference in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
• Choose Engaging Colors: Select colors that uplift the mood and add vibrancy to your apartment. Bright, cheerful hues like sunny yellows, soothing blues, and warm oranges can create a lively ambiance and make your apartment feel more inviting.

For more decorating suggestions, check out this guide that provides 10 ways to make your senior apartment a home.

Memory Care Decorating Ideas

Decorating for those with memory care needs requires thoughtful consideration to create a supportive and soothing environment that promotes well-being and enhances quality of life. Here are some specialized decorating ideas tailored for individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia:

• Familiar and Comforting Decor: Incorporate familiar and comforting elements into the decor to evoke positive memories and emotions. Use items such as family photographs, heirlooms, and familiar objects to create a sense of continuity and connection to the past. Displaying reminiscence boxes filled with meaningful items can also provide a source of comfort and stimulation.
• Visual Cues and Signage: Utilize visual cues and signage to aid navigation and promote independence within the apartment. Labeling drawers, cabinets, and rooms with clear, large-print signs or pictures can help individuals with memory loss identify and locate items more easily. Color-coded cues and directional signs can also assist with orientation and way-finding.
• Structured and Simplified Layout: Design the main living area with a structured and simplified layout to minimize confusion and promote independence. Arrange furniture in a logical and intuitive manner, and create clearly defined areas for different activities such as dining, relaxation, and socialization. Keep the layout consistent and uncluttered to reduce anxiety and facilitate navigation.
• Tools for Support: Incorporating practical, familiar items can also help to ease the daily lives of those in need of memory support. For example, having a digital clock present that lists the time and day of the week can serve as a helpful aid. Another useful item to have is an easy-to-access white board where reminders are displayed. These simple tools can make a big difference in helping your loved one remain calm and comforted in their new senior home.

Looking for further guidance on how to decorate for those in memory care? This guide provides additional tips on the best ways to turn your apartment into a comforting experience for those facing Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Decorating Ideas for Pet-Friendly Senior Living

Seniors who share their home with beloved pets often seek stylish and practical design solutions that accommodate both their needs and those of their furry companions. Here are some creative ideas to create a stylish and pet-friendly senior apartment:

• Pet-Friendly Furniture: Invest in furniture that is designed with pets in mind. Look for durable, easy-to-clean fabrics that can withstand pet hair, scratches, and stains. Consider options such as leather, microfiber, or performance fabrics that repel moisture and resist odors.
• Integrated Pet Spaces: Designate specific areas within the apartment for pet-related activities, such as feeding, grooming, and lounging. Incorporate built-in feeding stations or storage solutions for pet food and supplies to keep them organized and easily accessible.
• Hidden Storage Solutions: Incorporate hidden storage solutions to keep pet supplies neatly organized and out of sight. Utilize cabinets, drawers, and storage ottomans or cubes to store pet food, toys, grooming tools, and other essentials. Concealed litter box enclosures or litter box furniture can also help maintain a tidy and odor-free apartment.

By incorporating these useful apartment ideas for seniors and pets, residents can create a harmonious space that prioritizes comfort, functionality, and style for both themselves and their furry companions. Wanting more practical tips on how to create the best space for you and your four-legged best friend? Head on over to our guide for more creative apartment ideas for you and your pet!

Utilizing Interior Design Tools

Still feeling stuck on how to best fill your new home to meet your needs and style preferences? Luckily there are plenty of free online tools to help you generate ideas! It is important while using these tools that you have an idea of how much room you have to work with. We recommend confirming your senior living floor plan measurements as well as your furniture measurements ahead of time in order to use the interior design tools effectively. Once you have an accurate idea of the amount of space you have to work with, check out these free interior design tools to plan your dream senior apartment.

Tip: Get to know your new floor plan layout before moving in to streamline your decorating process. This way, you can plan ahead and select the ideal furniture and decor for your new home.

Curious about the apartment layouts offered at The Ridge? Take a virtual tour of the various apartments and shared community spaces across our three locations:

• The Ridge Cottonwood (Holladay, Utah)
• The Ridge Foothill (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• The Ridge Pinehurst (Denver, Colorado)

Tying It All Together

Choosing the right apartment size tailored to your specific needs and preferences is the foundation for creating a comfortable and personalized home. By taking a moment to assess your lifestyle requirements and how to best prioritize functionality, you can create not only a place to live, but a place to thrive! When you use effective organization techniques to fully maximize your space, you can enhance your overall experience in senior living. So, whether it’s finding the right spot for your favorite chair to enjoy your morning coffee, or figuring out how to better store your pets toys and food, these thoughtful little tweaks add up to create a place that is authentically you. By incorporating these tips and ideas, you can make your senior apartment truly feel like home.

Feeling Ready to Make Your Next Move?

Making the jump to senior living can be a transformative and exciting life change. By carefully assessing your needs, exploring your options, and planning thoughtfully, you can begin a journey toward a more fulfilling retirement in a senior living community. 

If you’re ready to make the move to senior living, be sure to check out The Ridge Senior Living for a welcoming and enriching experience. Get in touch with us by filling out the form below!