Making your home aging-in-place friendly is a smart idea no matter how old you are now. When renovating to make your home more accessible, be sure to consider your outside living space as well as your interior. To that end, here are some smart design tips from The Deck Store, your premier local deck installer.
Safety
There are numerous ways to improve the safety of your deck. For one, ensuring that your patio door is on the same level as both your house and deck ensures that seniors who need a wheelchair have easy access. Just make sure that the door is wide enough to accommodate the chair. If there are steps leading to and from the house, a ramp will be needed. Installing handrails also helps, even if there are only one to two steps.
Another important feature to consider is proper lighting. Stair lights, wall-mounted fixtures, and low-voltage path lights are some features that help create a safe environment while also enhancing the beauty of your deck and patio. As an experienced remodeler, we can help you address different issues related to outdoor living and provide the necessary solutions for each.
Convenience
Homeowners usually get the most use out of their outdoor spaces during warm weather, but the summer heat can be uncomfortable for seniors. To make the space more accommodating, consider adding a retractable awning for extra shade. You can also install a temporary canopy or a large umbrella to shade the outdoor dining area. Since outdoor seating often needs to be moved around, we recommend choosing lightweight products for furniture. Aluminum, wicker, and some types of steel frames all offer lightweight beauty and durability.
For more innovative remodeling solutions, turn to The Deck Store. Interested in investing in custom decks? Schedule your home improvement project with us by calling (701) 223-1008. We’ll start with a free estimate. We serve Bismarck and the surrounding areas in North Dakota.