The process of renovating my 60-year-old primary bathroom started not with a design consultation or interview with a general contractor but with a conversation about dying.
As suggested by all the smart financial planners, my daughters and I had a heart-to-heart chat about how I want to live out my later years and what that would mean for our home of 30+ years. Big questions came into play about how I would navigate the tiny spaces, whether or not a renovation was a smart investment, and what’s the long-term plan for this house when I’m no longer living here – to sell, to rent, or perhaps one of my daughters would want to move into the family home.
To be honest, I was pretty well set on moving forward with a renovation of the primary bath and closet, but walking through all of the future options with my family was a great exercise in helping me decide how to create a space that would work for my needs and future options for my family.
Research, Recommendations and Vetting
A survey done by the American Association of Retired Persons in 2024 found that 75% of Americans 50 and older plan to stay in their current homes as they age. To that end, they’ve created a list of suggested updates to make the planning process easier.
I also did research on finding a qualified and reputable interior designer who understood my aesthetic, respected my budget, and had extensive experience in creating spaces that support homeowners well into their later years.
Goals, Options, Limitations, and Vision
The #1 goal of this project was to expand the footprint of the bathroom. I’m not kidding when I say that the original bathroom was so small, I could stand in the shower, reach over the toilet and touch the sink.
The #2 goal was to consolidate my random closet space so that all of my clothes would live happily in one place. This way, I’d no longer have to circulate through three rooms looking for shoes, jackets, workout clothes and whatever else I needed.
Goal #3 was simply to make it beautiful without spending a penny over my very strict budget. This meant knowing where to splurge (dramatic wallpaper,) where to scrimp (a basic but functional closet system), and where to be smart (no-slip floors throughout).
Making My Age-in-Place Space
When all factors came together, from what would be “ideal” to what the space and budget would allow, I chose to expand the old bathroom footprint by going down to the studs and eliminating original fur downs and bulkheads to increase usable space. I also absorbed nearby closet space into the construction plan so that I could store my entire wardrobe in one place.
Here is a rundown of the choices that helped me create a beautiful, workable, future-ready space that I will enjoy for years to come:
Pocket Doors
After witnessing the struggles my elderly parents had with navigating bathroom access, I opted for pocket doors with openings large enough to accommodate a walker.
Galley-Style Layout
All the twists and turns were eliminated for easy navigation.
Anti-Slip Floor
I selected a beautiful, textured flooring that was installed throughout the bathroom and into the shower.
Shower Grab Bar
While I don’t need it now, someday I will want the extra support of a shower grab bar, so I had the main wall reinforced in order to accommodate installation of one in the years ahead.
Shower System
I selected a shower system with both a shower head and hand-held nozzle for convenience. Even better, the valve control was installed right next to the door so that I can operate the water flow and temperature without having to step inside the shower. The shower also has a low-profile entry for easy access.
Faucets
Because they are easier to adjust when there are issues around grip strength, I selected a sink faucet system with levers rather than knobs.
Towel Hooks
With a smaller profile and easier access than tiered bars, I opted for towel hooks throughout.
Layers of Lighting
Ceiling fixtures throughout, including the shower, and sconces over the vanity make it easy for everything from applying makeup to finding the bobby pin I dropped on the floor.
Smart Closet System
This may be the thing I’m most proud of because it required that I spend the three months of construction going through all of my clothing, jewelry, shoes, and accessories in an epic purge process. I sorted, tried on, donated, tailored, and tossed hundreds of items in order to whittle my wardrobe to the most loved, most useful, best fitting pieces.
The result is a stylish closet space that I’m excited to enter each morning and a wardrobe that truly expresses personality and inspiration – something I dive into in my blog as well as my weekly, Spark 60 newsletter.
So Happy to Be “Staying Put”
In the end, this renovation wasn’t really about tile choices or closet shelves. It was about choosing how I want to live now, and in the decades ahead.
Creating a space that supports ease, beauty, and independence feels like a gift to my current and future self as well as comfort to my daughters. I may be “staying put,” but this sort-of new place feels like a fresh start – one that lets me keep writing the next chapter of my life right here at home.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you invested in a home renovation that will allow you to age in place? What did you change and do you think it was worth it?
