Design Ideas to Make Retirement Housing More Aspirational

With the majority of older people wanting to age in place, retirement housing needs to have a product that reflects consumer demand in order to become an attractive option for older people. At WWA, we have looked across the sector at client aspirations and have made suggestions on how design can make retirement properties more attractive.

There are many commonalities between different clients’ aspirations when undertaking remodeling or alterations to their property in the private sector. However, these are seldom seen in retirement housing schemes. In order to attract residents, retirement housing needs to reflect these requirements, which are standard requests.

Aspirational Retirement Housing Floor Plan

𝗕𝗶-𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 – Many extensions and alterations to existing properties include large bi-folding or sliding doors to the main living space. These improve connection to the outside and provide large amounts of natural light. Retirement housing can incorporate these systems to create stunning living areas.
𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 – For many people, it is desirable to have a dressing area as part of their bedroom and ensuite arrangement. This could be provided in retirement living whilst still allowing for future hoist installation. Having a dedicated dressing area could improve access around the bed should care be required in future.
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 – Many people do not fully retire and continue working part-time. Having a dedicated working space within the home provides this flexibility and can be repurposed in the future to offer additional manoeuvring space within the bedroom.
𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 – Smart technology such as smart thermostats, lighting systems and integrated Wi-Fi are all standard products in people’s homes. Retirement housing should have these features as standard.
𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 – Relatively simple and inexpensive features can create a high-quality feel to a property. Items such as boiling water taps and smart bathroom cabinets can help to deliver a high-quality product and provide a ‘premium’ feel.

Retirement housing needs to attract residents to maximise the benefit of this housing typology, and common features in market housing need to be featured in order to provide that pull factor.