As you look ahead to retirement, one of the smartest decisions you can make is ensuring your home is ready to support you, not just today, but for years to come. That doesn’t mean sacrificing style or starting over. It means designing a space that’s both beautiful and built with accessibility in mind.
Why Accessibility Matters in Retirement
According to a 2021 AARP Survey, 77% of adults aged 50 and older want to remain in their homes long-term. The challenge is that most homes weren’t built with that future in mind. Narrow hallways, stair-heavy layouts, and hard-to-reach storage quickly become barriers.
Accessibility features help eliminate these pain points, ensuring that your home continues to serve you, not the other way around.
Single-Level Living
A one-story floor plan tops the list of retirement-friendly design features. Removing the need for stairs makes daily movement simpler, safer, and less physically taxing. Having all essential spaces: bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, on the same level reduces fall risk and supports long-term independence.
Zero-Step Entryways
One of the most functional upgrades for accessibility is a no-step entrance. These entryways remove the hazard of thresholds and stairs at the front, back, or garage door. They’re especially helpful for anyone using mobility aids, recovering from surgery, or simply carrying groceries into the house.
Wider Doorways and Hallways
Standard doorways are often 28 to 30 inches wide. For a retirement-ready home, increasing that width to 36 inches helps accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and general ease of movement. Hallways should ideally be at least 42–48 inches wide.
This extra space also allows for smoother transitions between rooms and can make the home feel more open and breathable, even if your mobility never changes.
Curbless Walk-In Showers
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for in-home falls. The CDC notes that for people 65+, bathroom injuries represented 2.5% of all unintentional injuries.
A curbless, walk-in shower eliminates the step-over hazard of a traditional tub. Pair it with non-slip tile, a built-in bench, and a handheld showerhead, and you’ve created a spa-like retreat that’s also safe and practical.
Comfort-Height Toilets and Vanities
As joints become less forgiving, higher seating surfaces are easier to use. Comfort-height toilets, usually between 17 to 19 inches from floor to seat, minimize strain on the knees. Likewise, vanities and countertops at appropriate heights help reduce bending and awkward reaches.
Lever-Style Door Handles and Faucets
Grasping and twisting doorknobs or faucet handles can be frustrating for anyone with arthritis or reduced grip strength. Lever-style hardware offers a smoother experience—just press down or push to the side.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends lever handles as part of an arthritis-friendly home design.
Non-Slip Flooring
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults in the U.S. Flooring choices can play a big role in prevention. Avoid glossy finishes or area rugs that can catch toes or walking aids. Instead, opt for vinyl plank, cork, textured tile, or low-pile carpeting with firm backing.
These materials offer grip and cushion while keeping transitions between rooms smooth and trip-free.
Strategic Lighting and Smart Controls
Lighting isn’t just about ambiance. As vision changes with age, adequate lighting becomes essential for safety. Motion-sensor lights in closets or hallways, under-cabinet task lights, and easy-to-use controls all add visibility and convenience.
Adding smart home technology, like voice-controlled lights, security systems, and thermostats, can increase safety while reducing the need for reaching or bending.
Accessible Storage and Functional Layouts
A retirement-ready home makes smart use of space. That means drawers instead of deep cabinets, pull-out pantry shelves, and appliances that are easy to access without crouching or stretching.
Even small layout adjustments, like extra clearance around furniture or a wider kitchen work triangle, make the home easier to live in day to day. Open floor plans not only improve flow, but also reduce obstacles in key living areas.
Let’s Design a Home That Works for You
Whether you’re updating a few key spaces or building a home from the ground up, incorporating accessibility features is one of the best investments you can make in your future. These features aren’t just about safety, they’re about comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.
At New Era Homes, we help Central Oregon families create homes that are easy to love and easy to live in. Our team can guide you through accessibility choices that make sense for your lifestyle now and in the years ahead.
