A ‘forever home’ is labeled as such when it is the last house a homeowner plans to live in. If you are an aging adult looking for the right place to spend your remaining years, building a forever home can be a great way to ensure your living space suits you perfectly for the rest of your life.
Planning this type of home build can be overwhelming, as there are many important things you’ll have to think about regarding your present and future needs. Here are a few considerations to make before jumping into the building phase:
Accessibility
As we grow older, some tasks that were once simple become difficult due to the natural weakening of our bodies. Whether you currently have mobility concerns or you’re simply looking to ensure your home can accommodate potential mobility needs in the future, there are plenty of ways to make your forever home more accessible, including:
- Ramps at entrances and exits
- Widened hallways and doorways
- Reinforced walls for grab bars or side rails
- Lever-style door handles
- Low cabinetry and countertops
For homes with multiple levels, stairs can be a challenge if you have or anticipate limited mobility. Traditionally, bedrooms are located on the upper floors of multi-level homes. Consider adding a space to the main level that may serve as a storage room or office today, but can be easily made into a bedroom for you should the stairs become difficult to navigate down the road.
Daylight
Illuminating your home can be easily done with artificial lighting, but it’s also helpful to consider the benefits of natural light. Designing your home with plenty of windows and/or skylights will reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, which can in turn help keep energy costs down. Additionally, natural light is known to boost Vitamin D in the body, combat seasonal depression, and improve sleep.
Building Materials
If you’re looking to splurge on your forever home and purchase high-end, luxury materials for the build, that’s perfectly acceptable. But it’s vital to keep maintenance requirements in mind when deciding which flooring, countertop, and other materials you use. Low-maintenance and durable materials are ideal for your forever home because they’re less likely to need replacement and will reduce the amount of maintenance you’ll have to perform in your home.
Your Best Resource for Building a Forever Home
The J.F. Johnson Lumber Company has been offering our customers in central Maryland and beyond quality building products and services for nearly 100 years. Whether you need engineered lumber, hardware, countertops, windows, or any other resources to build the perfect forever home, we have plenty of options for you to choose from. Contact us today to get started!
