The story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is a lot like the journey of home ownership. Starting out with a growing family, your first house can begin to feel too small so you move to a larger one. Then, after your kids grow up and start lives of their own, your house can feel too big, requiring a lot of upkeep and maintenance.
That’s why many older adults are finding that the option that fits just right is moving to a senior living community like Santa Marta. If downsizing to a senior apartment makes you think you’ll have to give something up, consider that what’s around your residence is what makes all the difference.
Consider how much of your current house you actually use. If it’s only the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room, it might be time to match your current lifestyle with your living space. The advantages of moving to a senior living community include:
- Less stress: A smaller home can help eliminate clutter, and being more organized will simplify your life. Plus, the process of downsizing allows you to free yourself from outdated electronics, old furniture, and other items you no longer want or need.
- More accessibility: Yes, you can update your current residence to adjust to your changing needs, but it’s usually quite expensive. Choosing a community that’s specifically designed for older adults will give you the opportunity to have a home with enhanced safety and accessibility features built-in, so you can age in place more successfully.
- Less maintenance: Think about all the cleaning, maintaining, and small repairs you have to do around your current home every month. A senior living community can handle any needed repairs to appliances, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. Most communities also offer dining, housekeeping, and flat linen service.
- More socializing: When all the inside and outside maintenance is taken care of, you’ll realize how much more time you have to hang out with family and friends. Santa Marta has a calendar full of events, including art and fitness classes, clubs, committees, and social gatherings.
- More “you” time: While there’s a lot going on at our community, you’re free to live life your way. So, whenever you want a little time alone, take a walk on our campus, sit and read a book from our library, or pursue your personal interests.
Decorating Small Spaces
As you consider various senior living floor plans, here are some senior apartment decorating tips to help ensure you get the most out of whatever option you choose:
- Let there be light: Remember to open your blinds regularly and keep the area around your windows clear to allow in as much light as possible. Bringing sunlight in can also make any room feel larger.
- Add color: Adding a warm color with pillows, furniture, or rugs can help create a cozy feeling. You can also experiment with shades of neutral, earthy tones to make rooms feel more grounded.
- A bright idea: Rather than having just one central light in each room, add floor and table lamps so you have various light sources. If your blinds are a dark color, replace them with a lighter color to draw in natural light. Painting an entire room in one light color will also help brighten it up.
- Be reflective: Consider placing mirrors in spots where they’ll reflect natural or artificial light. Adding a mirror across from a window can also help the room feel larger and appear more open.
- Create distinct areas: In the living room, you can have the main seating area where you can entertain friends and family members. You can also add a smaller reading area in one corner with a plant, a small side table, and a comfortable chair.
- Think on the curve: Round shapes can trick the eye and make smaller spaces feel bigger. Consider using a round dining table or a sofa and chair set with a round coffee table.
- Downsize your furniture: Smaller spaces call for smaller pieces of furniture. Choosing a smaller piece of furniture might mean it can fit in a corner and free up floor space. This will also make your apartment feel more open and inviting.
- Choose multipurpose furniture: To maximize your living space, consider furniture with more than one purpose, like a hollow ottoman that can be used for storage, a platform bed that has storage drawers underneath, or a headboard with shelves. You can also get a dining table with a built-in leaf that will make it much easier to entertain guests.
- Go up: Use your wall space. Consider mounting your TV on the wall or installing floating bookshelves to help declutter. Moving items off surfaces and onto walls can make your space feel bigger.
- Declutter often: It’s only natural to accumulate clutter after living in the same place for a while. Once or twice a year, try to go through your possessions and reevaluate what should be kept. You’ll be surprised at how many items you no longer use and how much larger your home looks once you’ve gotten rid of them.
- Just the essentials: Having too much furniture will cramp the space. A bed, seating, and a small dining table are probably the only major pieces of furniture you’ll need.
Live Large at Santa Marta
At Santa Marta, we’re sure to have a residence option to fit your lifestyle and budget. To see how much you can get out of life in one of our well-designed floor plans, or for other senior living community tips, contact one of our helpful senior living counselors. We’d love to show you around our boutique community with a big heart so you can see just how big life here can feel.
