You’ve made the decision. You’re going to move into a senior living community and launch your new adventure – complete with the ease of a maintenance-free life.
After researching and discovering the perfect community for you, it’s time to begin planning how you will create the space that reflects your personality and welcomes you home every day.
5 tips to decorate your senior living apartment
If you’re looking for ideas, take a look at the following suggestions for ideas on how you might want to decorate your senior living apartment:
1. Plan ahead
Begin by requesting a copy of your floorplan or taking measurements of your new home. To decide which furniture pieces might work best, consider creating to-scale paper cutouts and try a few placements.
Decide what elements represent “home” to you. You’ll likely be moving into a smaller space but it’s important to bring along what makes you feel most comfortable, whether it’s a favorite reading chair or a comforter for your bed.
2. Make a small space appear larger
Interior designers have mastered this challenge and a quick internet search can provide several tips for you to try when decorating your senior living apartment. Using mirrors is one example of how to create the appearance of a larger space as it reflects back the area and lighting.
Choosing a large art piece as a focal point can also increase the sense of space as do lighter colors, fabrics and window treatments – all creating an open feeling.
3. Choose multi-functional and smaller furniture pieces
Consider furniture that is designed to function for more than one purpose. Consider a sofa table that converts into a desk or an ottoman that serves as additional storage. If you won’t have a guest room, a sofa bed can be a great solution.
Leaving the large sofa behind and opting instead for a love seat or two complementing chairs is a great tip when decorating your senior living apartment as it can leave more open space while still offering a cozy seating area.
4. Go vertical for more space
While you may have less floor area than in your current home, you can take advantage of the large unused wall spaces for displays or to create a focal point of interest.
Check with your community first but consider installing floating shelves painted a similar color as the walls. Another useful tip is to create a gallery wall of artwork or photographs which will draw the eye up, creating the sense of more space.
5. Personalize your home to make it your own
Choose a few of your favorite framed photos as part of your plan when decorating your senior living apartment. Hang your grandchildren’s artwork on the walls or place on your side tables or at your bedside.
You won’t want to clutter your new space but bringing a few pieces from a sentimental collection will help you to feel right at home. Familiarity goes a long way to help you transition from one home to your new one.
2 bonus tips when decorating your senior living apartment – what to avoid
What we don’t do can often make the same impact as what we do. Take a look at two tips for what to avoid:
1. Waiting to downsize
De-cluttering accumulated possessions from the past takes time. Make sure your plan for decorating your senior living apartment includes allowing yourself enough space to complete the process. This eliminates the possibility of last-minute rushed decisions, bringing too much or regretting what you left behind.
As soon as you know you will be moving into a senior living community, begin your course of action. Start thinking about what you will want to bring, pass along to your children or other family members, what can be donated and what will need to be discarded.
2. Not letting go
One of the biggest mistakes made when moving into a senior living community is not letting go of what will no longer be needed. Indecision about what to leave behind or hanging on to stored boxes will disrupt your plans to start this new adventure without the weight of clutter.
Begin by eliminating any duplicates. Invite your children home to collect items you’ve been patiently storing for them. And commit to allowing no “maybe” piles when preparing for your new life. Make the decision on what to do with each item once and then move on.
Retirement living in Waukegan, Illinois
Galloway Senior Living, locally owned and operated, provides luxury and quality care for families in our community.
Assisted Living at Galloway Senior Living offers beautiful and contemporary private residences that range from alcove studios to two-bedrooms and include high-end stainless-steel appliances, maple hardwood cabinets, cultured marble countertops and thoughtfully curated décor and colors.
Our Memory Care community offers a family kitchen, dining room, walking garden, and lounge.
Our services include:
- 24-hour certified nursing assistants, on-staff licensed nurses, medication management, and on-site physician visits
- COVID-19 safety protocols
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Readily available safe transportation
- A fall-reduction program
- In-unit emergency response systems including an electronic monitoring system for exit doors
- On-site entertainment and activities personalized to reflect the residents’ preferences
- Housekeeping and linen services including personal laundry
Amenities you’ll find at Galloway Senior Living include:
- Country Café and Convenience Store
- Salon and Spa
- Theater with 85″ television
- Activity and Craft Center
- Game Room
- Library and Business Center
- Fitness Center
If you or your family is considering retirement living in Wadsworth, Illinois, we hope you will visit our community at Galloway Senior Living. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions.