Home Renovating In Calgary | In planning a major remodel of this 1980’s Calgary bungalow, the homeowners were intent on a design that would enable them to age in place comfortably yet beautifully.
What they found was that comfort and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive. By collaborating with the Renovations by Hearth and Home team, this couple designed their “forever” home using stylish, multi-purpose materials that serve their needs now and into the future.
The original bungalow floor plan included a tiny master bedroom and even tinier second bedroom with a shared bathroom and crowded kitchen. By reconfiguring the footprint, the homeowners gained a spacious master bedroom and ensuite, two-cook kitchen and powder room. They were also able to relocate the basement laundry to the roomy master closet, eliminating the need to climb stairs.
Throughout most of the house, original flooring has been replaced with slip-resistant engineered wood and honed tile. The open-concept kitchen incorporates myriad features designed to facilitate cooking and cleaning – regardless of age. Accessibility features include rollout shelving/drawers, blind-corner pullouts, under-counter microwave and strategically placed sink just steps from the stove.
In the kitchen, ensuite and powder, walkways are at least a maneuverable 36” wide. Cabinetry includes easy-close doors/drawers with large hardware. The electrical plan is a thoughtful mix of natural light from larger windows, decorative fixtures and pot lights that is easier on aging eyes than pot lights alone. The ensuite features corner shampoo shelves that double as grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and comfort-height toilet (also in the powder). Planning for future access issues, the ceiling above the tub area has been reinforced, to accommodate a bath lift.
Creating a forever home can seem a daunting endeavor, particularly because no one can be certain what the future holds. However, by teaming with an experienced aging-in-place renovator like Renovations by Hearth and Home, chances significantly improve for an age-friendly design using beautiful products that improve quality of life for years to come.
