Moving to an assisted living community is an exciting transition! It’s a chance to meet new neighbors, discover new amenities, explore new surroundings, and set up a brand-new space to call home. What can you do to make your new place feel more like yours? Today we’ll review some assisted living decorating ideas to help you come up with a plan.
Assisted Living Decorating Ideas
Assisted living residences come in a number of shapes and sizes, so we encourage you to wait until you see your space before you start daydreaming about all the possibilities. Explore the guidelines presented by your community, and then let your imagination go wild. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out these assisted living decorating ideas:
Prioritize Safety
Few people think of design choices as dangerous, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actually lists throw rugs and clutter among the hazards that cause millions of older adults to fall each year. Any fall can result in serious injury and increase your risk of future falls, so it makes sense to be mindful of potential problems when decorating your home. To reduce your risk of falls:
- Avoid the use of throw rugs.
- Be careful about the placement of electrical cords.
- Keep walkways clear.
- Watch out for the development of clutter, especially if it could fall into travel paths.
Choose Furniture Wisely
For many seniors, moving into an assisted living community means moving into a cozier space. So before your move, try to get a copy of your new apartment’s floor plan. Then consider what furniture you’re going to need, where you’re going to place it, and if your existing furniture will work. Measuring before you arrive will help you decide ahead of time which pieces to take and which pieces to replace.
If new furniture is on the list, don’t just think about size – also think about function. Pieces that offer extra storage are handy. Power recliners can be a great addition for any senior. Drop leaf tables provide convenience and flexibility. Furniture with rounded corners is attractive and safer to navigate around.
Embrace Color
Color can help you achieve many goals. It can express personality, create a sense of familiarity, and organize a space. Use favorite colors in artwork and fabrics to help set the tone and make the place feel like home. Use different hues to separate various areas of the living space or the supplies that belong to them.
Picture It
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, how much is a photo album that’s full of them worth? When you’re trying to settle into a new assisted living community, photo albums, scrapbooks, and pictures might be priceless. They not only offer welcome reminders of loved ones but also provide an easy conversation starter as you try to find your feet in a sea of new people. Placing pictures of family and friends or photo albums around the living room is a nice touch on many levels.