A senior assisted living apartment gives you the freedom to get out of the house and live on your while also giving you companionship, amenities, and extra help when you need it. However, decorating an assisted living apartment can be tricky if you are unsure where to start or what will work best for you and your budget. Here are some of the most important things to think about when decorating your assisted living apartment.
Add a Personal Touch to Your Home with Existing Pieces
The first thing that you should look into is what pieces of furniture your assisted living apartment already has. If you have a dresser, put some plants on top to give it some visual appeal. The same applies to shelving or cabinets, which can be used to store essentials or other knick-knacks around your home. Adding personal decorations is an easy way to make a boring apartment feel more like yours.
Consider Multi-Functional Furniture
Make use of multi-functional furniture to decorate your assisted living apartment. A lot of single-function furniture can be used for multiple purposes, saving you space and increasing functionality. For example, a small coffee table can quickly become a nightstand, and an ottoman can be both seating and storage. Look for furniture that serves more than one purpose, and you will create a functional yet stylish living space.
Design with Safety in Mind
It is common for loved ones to be less mobile than they once were, which means you will need to make sure furniture does not block pathways, stairs are secure, and cabinet locks are in good working order. Consider everything your loved one might use daily; how can you accommodate them while keeping things safe? One great idea is to place frequently used items on lower shelves so that they do not have to reach up. Ask what kind of lighting or features your best friend needs or prefers—some may prefer softer, more natural light while others might want bright lighting that illuminates well.
Arrange Furniture Carefully
Furniture arrangement is very important in every room of your home, but in a small assisted living apartment it is essential. Be sure to plan out furniture placement carefully before you bring in new pieces. This will help keep a sense of order in your home and avoid problems down the road when you want to rearrange things. To keep yourself from getting overwhelmed, start by arranging all of your furniture around a central space. For example, if you will place an armchair or sofa in front of a fireplace mantel, make sure that everything else has been moved away from that area. This will create a more spacious look for your living room and prevent your view from being obstructed by too many pieces at once.
Keep Hobbies in Mind
You can create a lovely home in your assisted living apartment. Keep hobbies in mind when decorating your assisted living apartment. If you love to read, have books on hand. Or if music is what you are all about, have CDs around so that you can listen to your favorite tunes anytime. This helps bring personality into your home and takes away some of that institutional feel of assisted living apartments.