Jennifer Sheahan: Ensure your home's a fab fit for middle age
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Let's explore the best ways to make your home work for you as you enjoy the stability and richness of middle age. Perhaps your space is your own again as children become more independent, or you may be welcoming relatives into your home to care for in their later years.
You may even have more disposable income than you did when buying your first home and caring for a young family.
At this stage of life, it’s likely that you have settled into a home that you intend to live in for the long haul. Now is the time to invest in high-quality, comfortable furniture and materials that last. Splurge on that beautiful, ergonomically designed sofa or a bed that gives you the best rest of your life.
Invest in high-end countertops, flooring, and tiles that bring you joy and add sophistication to your home. Well-crafted furniture and quality materials are a worthwhile long term investment which will enhance both your home and your own wellbeing.
Your needs will likely change as your family matures and your life stage evolves. If this is your long-term home, go ahead and spend on that new kitchen, bathroom, or extension that you’ve been waiting for. After all, the sooner you do it the longer you will get to enjoy it!
In your long-term home, investing in your garden, patio, or balcony is a wonderful choice. Landscaping a garden, building a patio, setting up an outdoor kitchen, or even installing a tennis court if that’s your jam will all add to the quality of your home life.
Outdoor upgrades can also enhance the value of your home, making it an investment that can pay off long term.
When you are in your forever home, a smart way to save is actually to consider upfront investments that will save your money in the medium to long term. The best place to do this in your home is to make energy upgrades.
Look at better insulation, air-to-water systems, heat pumps, photo-voltaic panels, and even battery storage. With the grants available, the payoff period for many of the renewable energy upgrades has fallen to below a decade.
You will know by now that home ownership is not cheap. Homes need constant maintenance, and these days good tradespeople are always in high demand in Ireland. Reduce your maintenance costs by investing in quality that will last. Poorly made items will just need to be repaired or replaced (anyone who enjoyed the Discworld series in their youth will remember the Vimes “boots” theory).
Quality and savings can be found in the second-hand market if you learn what to look for. It may even be worth investing in a DIY course so that you can (safely!) take on some of your own home maintenance.
As your family matures, consider indulging in your own needs for privacy in your home. If you’re in a high cost of living area you may have adult children that are unable to move out, or you may be caring for a relative in your home.
Consider the functionality and layout that will work best for you and for anyone you may be living with so that you can all enjoy independence as needed. That may look like separate entrances, garden rooms, or turning a spare bedroom into a second living room.
I will caveat this by saying I am not all-in on smart homes, but I do feel some smart home technology is worthwhile — particularly for energy saving and home security.
Smart thermostats, security cameras, smart lighting, and Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums are my favourite gadgets to make life easier. Consider adding motion-sensor lights in areas such as hallways or bathrooms for added convenience.
We tend to host more as we mature — probably because we have nicer homes in middle age than we did when we were younger! Have fun with it. Think about setting up a home bar or bar cart, investing in a gorgeous dining table and comfortable dining chairs, and ensuring that your kitchen and dining layout make hosting easy.
If you enjoy having dinner parties, stylish tableware and linens can elevate your gatherings without breaking the bank. Simple technology upgrades like smart lighting or sound systems can also make your home more enjoyable for both you and your guests.
- This is the fourth and penultimate instalment of November series on design considerations for each stage of life. Find the previous features, on rental apartments, starter homes and living with a young family, in the Home & Gardens section of the website