As we grow older, our physical needs change. A home that felt perfectly comfortable in our younger years can turn into a space full of obstacles and daily inconvenience for an older person. That is why a home is not merely a “place to live” but a “safe space” — one that genuinely understands and supports everyday life.
Designing a home for older adults is therefore a blend of physical understanding, emotional sensitivity, and real insight into the needs of people entering or already living in the later stage of life. This article walks through 5 essential steps to designing a comfortable home for retirement for the people you love.
Step 1: Lay the Foundation for Safety and Easy Access
Designing a home for older adults should start by putting safety first and making everything easy to reach so they can go about daily life independently, with far less risk of falls or other accidents.
1.1 Design with Safety First
- Floors should use slip-resistant materials such as vinyl, rubber flooring, or textured tiles. Flooring should also absorb impact to reduce the severity of any injury if a fall does happen.
- Avoid door thresholds and split levels If a change in level is unavoidable, use a ramp instead, or mark it clearly.
- Install grab bars wherever slips are likely such as the bathroom, stairs, hallways, and beside the bed.
1.2 Make Every Space Easy to Reach
- Doors should be at least 90 cm wide so a wheelchair can pass through easily. Choose sliding or outward-opening doors rather than standard swing doors, and use lever handles or push bars instead of round knobs.
- The space around the bed, dining table, and bathroom should allow a wheelchair to turn at least 150 cm. The kitchen should be roomy enough for a wheelchair to turn as well.
- A ground-floor bedroom is recommended or install a home lift if the house has several floors, to make moving between levels easy.
1.3 Get the Lighting Right for Older Eyes
- Eyesight declines with age, so spaces should be designed with natural light and/or enough artificial lighting throughout the house
- Avoid glare from floors or stark white walls which can strain the eyes.
- Provide pathway lighting at night especially on the route to the bathroom, to prevent trips and falls. Automatic lighting with motion sensors is another good option for a senior-friendly home.
Step 2: A Closer Look at the Key Spaces in the Home
Once safety and accessibility are in place, the next step is applying those principles to the key rooms and areas of the home where older adults spend most of their time.
2.1 Bedroom
- The bed should sit about 45-50 cm above the floor so it is easy to sit down and stand up.
- Avoid sharp furniture corners and leave enough room around the bed for movement and for walking aids.
- Put power outlets near the bed and light switches within reach while lying down. Provide ample lighting and install an emergency alert system beside the bed.
2.2 Bathroom
- Install slip-resistant flooring and keep the bathroom free of thresholds and separate the wet and dry zones clearly.
- The toilet should sit slightly higher than usual around 45 cm.
- Fit wall-mounted grab bars by the toilet and the shower to help with balance and with sitting down and standing up.
- Use a handheld, height-adjustable shower so there is no need to step into a bathtub. A shower seat makes bathing far more comfortable.
- The bathroom door should open and close easily, with enough room for a wheelchair.
2.3 Kitchen
- Cabinets and shelves should be neither too high nor too low and frequently used items should sit at eye level.
- The space should be wide enough for a wheelchair to turn and walkways kept clear of clutter.
- Retire the gas stove and switch to an electric or induction cooktop for safety
2.4 Living Room
- Arrange furniture neatly so it never blocks a walkway and leave enough room for a wheelchair to move freely.
- Avoid rugs and carpetsto reduce the risk of tripping.
- Keep the space open and airy, with natural light reaching in and good ventilation such as large glass panels that create a relaxed mood.
- Choose sturdy furniture with rounded edges to soften the impact of any accident.
- Chairs and sofas should have a backrest and armrests so older adults can sit down and stand up easily and securely.
2.5 Prayer Room
- It should be on the ground floor or somewhere reachable on foot without climbing stairs.
- Provide plenty of light and a safe place to sit and pay respect.
- Provide a chair or seat with a backrest comfortable enough for sitting for long periods.
2.6 Hallways and Stairs
- Hallways should be at least 90-120 cm wide
- No split levels — or use a ramp where one is unavoidable
- If stairs cannot be avoided, they must be designed with handrails on both sides and good lighting at every point. Stair treads should not be slippery or polished, risers should be no higher than 15 cm, treads at least 30 cm deep, and landings should be added at intervals if the staircase is tall.
2.7 Doors – Windows
- Doors should be at least 90 cm wide so a wheelchair can pass through.
- Sliding doors are recommendedor outward-opening doors, rather than standard hinged ones.
- Door handles should be lever-style or push-type which are easier to use than round knobs.
- Floors should be flat, with no thresholds
- Windows should be placed where the view is easy to take in, about 75–100 cm above the floor
Try to bring windows down to eye level whether in the living room or the bedroom, so trees, greenery, and outdoor activity stay in view — a simple lift for the spirits.
Step 3: Build an Atmosphere That Supports Body and Mind
Beyond designing for safety, making the home inviting and good for mental wellbeing matters just as much to an older adult’s quality of life.
3.1 Bring the Home Closer to Nature
- Open up skylights or windows with a view of trees, a lawn, or natural sunlight.
- Create a small garden or a green courtyard connected to the house.
- Provide outdoor seating such as a balcony, a back patio, or a veranda.
- Windows should sit at eye level so older adults can easily see the view outside.
3.2 Make Room for Leisure Activities
- Set aside a multipurpose area for light activities such as reading, playing chess, or gentle yoga.
- Add a television or radio nearby for company and a little enjoyment.
- It should be easy to reach, not far from the main resting spot.
3.3 Decorate for Warmth and Safety
- Use warm tones such as cream, soft blue, or light green to keep the atmosphere calm and easy on the eyes.
- Avoid sharp decorative objects, or anything placed where it could cause a trip or fall.
- Choose decorations that are simple, genuinely useful, and feel natural and warm.
Step 4: Blend Technology into the Home for Lasting Comfort and Safety
Today, technology and smart home systems play a major role in raising quality of life and improving safety for older adults.
- Touch light switches or remote controls
- An emergency alert system or panic buttonsthat can be pressed from several points in the house, sending an instant signal to a family member’s or caregiver’s smartphone in an emergency.
- CCTV cameraslinked to a family member’s phone add safety and peace of mind for both the older adult and the caregiver.
- Motion sensors to detect a fall or a long stretch without movement.
Cibes Air Home Lift: More Technology for Comfort and Safety in a Senior-Friendly Home
For multi-storey homes where the older adult’s room is upstairs, we recommend installing a “home lift” for convenience, for safety, and to remove the risk of going up and down the stairs. The model we recommend is the Cibes Air lift designed specifically for residential use, with a sleek, modern look, remarkably space-saving, and built to serve as a dedicated lift for the elderly in the home.
Cibes Air Highlights
- No need to dig a lift pit it is a machine-room-less lift making it ideal for homes that want to add a lift later
- Comes with Smart Lift technology, which you can control from an app on your Smart Phone
- Lift doors are automatic and can open on 3 sides giving you more flexibility in your interior design
- Quiet and smooth to ride with less vibration, ideal for older adults who have balance issues or are sensitive to noise
Installing Cibes Air does more than let older adults use every floor of the house freely — it also adds long-term value to the home with a modern design that is safe in every respect.
Step 5: Plan the Work and Consult an Expert
Once the principles and design thinking are clear, the final step is deciding what to do and planning the work.
- Adapting an older home does not mean rebuilding the whole house You can start with the key points, such as fitting grab bars, levelling the floor, and adding light.
- If the budget allows, planning a new layout that supports long-term care is both better value and safer
- Whether you renovate or build new, consulting an architect who specialises in Universal Design is what truly makes a home comfortable and safe for the long term.
And if you would like to know what a home lift costs, read more in our article How Much Does a Home Lift Cost
