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HOME DESIGN n TRENDS

By Jeane DoleAllied Member ASID, NKBA, CAPSOwner/Principal, à la carte DESIGN

Every 10 seconds another baby boomer turns 65. Over their lifetimes they have had a significant influ-ence on multiple areas of society such as TV, rock ‘n roll and politics ...do Vietnam, the Civil Rights Move-ment, Woodstock and Barbie ring a bell? As a mass of 10s-of-millions-of-people, they have affected change in the U.S. in every aspect of life and they’re not finished. Let’s take a moment to set the scene with a brief update on some of the fact about Boomers. Boomers make up the largest and wealthiest demographic in the United States. About 15% of Boomers who own their own home also own a second home. Many Boomers are empty-nesters and as such, may have decided to downsize into a smaller home or condo, and may have elected to move to a community designed specifically for those in the population of the age of 55 and above. In the 10 largest metropolitan areas of the country, many Boomers are moving from the suburbs to the urban areas of their cities. This group tends to be non-Caucasian, more highly educated and with incomes of $70,000 and above. They spend $230 billion on con-sumer goods (that represents about 55% of the total), and they account for 80% of luxury travel spending. Today the Boomer need for individualism and self expression is as strong as ever. Their influence can be felt as a driving force in all aspects of society, includ-ing the design and construction of every aspect of home ownership. Because so many of them are well-traveled, they have had extensive exposure to all a host of design ideas, motifs, building materials and cultural identities. Coupled with this knowledge, a great many of them have the money to support their desires and reflect this influence in how they live. They are a significant ba-rometer for what a home must contain to be appealing to the Boomer market, and this influence has a tendency to extend to the rest of the market as well, creating ever new and higher standards of “the good life”.

Home Offices Many Boomers choose to continue to work beyond the age of retirement and yet, often in a different capac-ity. They may work as consultants or launch businesses of their own that they can run from their home. At one time in the past, mom or dad might have had a desk at one end of the kitchen that served as the spot for track-ing the family’s bills, managing the family’s schedule, as well as a place for working on that all-important school

A BOOMER’S LIFE Influencing Home Design

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project. Today, having a room in the home that serves as a dedicated home office is a huge factor in the pur-chase of a new home, or reworking a space in an existing home to accommodate this need. In fact, with today’s dual profession couples, there is nothing unusual about a couple requiring two rooms that must be available as dedicated home offices, so each person can conduct their work in relative peace.

Tech & Media Centers Tech-savvy Boomers want to be ‘wired up’ in every possible way with amenities such as WI-FI, media cen-ters, remote control lighting and energy management and security features. With today’s technology, they can travel the world and still monitor the security of their home and can control their thermostat from an app on their phone. Yes, even Grandma and Grandpa have smart phones and they are either tech-savvy them-selves or know how to find someone who is, to provide extra conveniences in the electronic management of their homes.

Better Lighting and Bigger Windows Great light becomes even more important as we get older. As our eyes age, we require more and bet-ter lighting for reading, for hobbies and for the safe movement in and between the spaces in our homes. Boomer homeowners are adding larger windows for more natural light (and better views) to many of their spaces. It has also become a virtual standard to include under cabinet lighting in kitchens and laundry rooms, and extra lighting at the tread level in stairwells to aid in visibility. Having multiple switches and dimmer con-trols to control the level of lighting is also invaluable to address this all important need.

Today the Boomer need

for individualism

and self expression

is as strong as ever.

Bedrooms and Baths One area of particular concern for Boomers is the master bedroom and bath, with special emphasis on the bath. The bathroom is an area fraught with numerous safety challenges for aging individuals. Some Boomers address this by building or buying a home with a main floor master suite. This is certainly one step towards maintaining a comfortable life in one’s home but there are additional considerations involved in making this area as safe as possible, whether you are on the main floor or not. Non-slip floor tile in every size, shape and color is safe and hygienic. The variety available adds a great deal to the homeowner’s ability to customize the space. Cau-tion should be given to the edge detail employed but almost any selection is appli-cable. Adding radiant heat to the flooring (no dangerous area rugs) provides warmth and comfort when circulation is less than optimum. Walk-in tubs are a wonderful, safety-conscious solution when having a tub for bathing is either preferred or a necessity. A word to the wise here, make sure you are working with a reputable company in purchasing such a tub, as some products are definitely better than others. If a bathtub isn’t your thing, installing a seat in the shower (built-in or flip-down), provides relief from constant standing or when

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standing isn’t possible. Another positive enhancement to the modern bathroom, a shower made curb-free with the installation of an in-line drainage system. Aligning shower and/or bath controls in a position that does not require an extended reach enhances and is good for indi-vidual safety, and the installation of handrails (formerly referred to as grab bars) to key areas in the bathroom like the shower and near the toilet also add convenience and safety to the Boomer bathroom.

Kitchens We have already mentioned under-cabinet lighting as a must for the any kitchen but installing knobs and/or handles that have a com-fortable grip to open cabinet doors is another area of consideration for Boomers. Raising the level of dishwashers can benefit individuals with back problems, and/or installing dishwasher drawers can be of benefit in the Boomer home for ease of access and more energy effi-ciency. Consider an under-cabinet microwave for ease-of-access when the reaching ability has lessened and for safety in not having it directly over the range.

Doors Many Boomers have switched from door knobs to door levers on interior and exterior doors. The levers are easier to grip and to gain control of the opening and closing of the door, whereas door knobs can be difficult to grasp. There are virtually unlimited styles and colors to choose from so no one needs to know you are doing it for you!

Flooring While carpet and/or area rugs can add to the warmth and cozy feel of a house, they often pose a problem for ease of movement and are a risk factor for tripping. Tile or wood floors offer a huge variety of choices and even vinyl plank flooring can create a warm, comfortable floor that significantly reduces any of these dangers. Remember, radi-ant heat flooring is certainly not restricted to bathrooms.

Flex Space Repurposing the bedroom of a child who has moved up and out, or moving into new digs with an extra “call-it-what-you-will” room is important to Boomers for that home office, a crafter’s paradise, a library or a guest bedroom. All of this can seem a bit overwhelming. There are so many moving parts and options to consider. Added to that, how does one combine all of these elements into a cohesive, functional yet aesthetically pleas-ing whole? Hiring a designer who specializes in interior space planning and has a CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) certification to aid in the layout of the space and the finished components is a great place to start. Then, once the direction of the design has been established, engaging a contractor who is also versed in accessibility will go a long way in insuring your projects success. The good news truly is the fact that there are multiple manufacturers who have heeded the call of the Boomer and are adjusting their product offerings accordingly. It has been true of Boomers since the beginning. There may be nothing a Boomer values more than their independence coupled with their individuality. Demanding better design options to ad-dress these values and having the financial means to pay for it con-tinues to make the Boomers a very influential group indeed. Ah, it can be good to be a Boomer!v

This story and accompanying photography was supplied by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NKBA from a November event on the topic of Boomer influence on interior design and functionality.

Please contact the local chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (Rocky Mountain) by Visiting www.nkba.org/chapters/rockymountain.aspx.