Old Castle Renovations Blog

Upstairs-Downstairs: Making the Main Floor Home

Aging in place at home is the dream for the majority of older adults. Preserving equity in the home is also a goal for the many older adults living longer. Renovating to provide all the comforts of home on the main level may be a good strategy to meet both these objectives.

With the kitchen already on the main level, the biggest project is building a three-piece bath or renovating a powder room to have a full bathroom on the main level. Ideally an ample sized shower with a sit stool is preferred over a bathtub to reduce the risk of slipping and falling. Without a bathtub, the amount of space needed for a 3-piece bathroom with shower, sink and toilet, is slightly less than a traditional bathroom with a bathtub. To further reduce floor space needed for a functional bathroom on the main floor, a sliding interior barn door can be hung. Compared to a traditional door, a sliding door eliminates the swing space for the door out into a hallway or into the bathroom.

After the kitchen and bathroom, the next thing to consider is where existing walls could be used and finished to enclose a bedroom area. Again a sliding interior barn door can minimize space needed for doors, provide a modern look to the space and offer wider doorways to accommodate passage for a wheelchair. These walls offer opportunity to incorporate amazing detail to elevate comfort and décor. For example, a two-way glass panel gas fireplace installed between a bedroom and living area would provide warmth for both rooms, and a cozy boutique hotel feel.

With the remaining space, sitting areas and an entertainment area can be carved out to encourage leisure activities, quiet time, and for hosting friends and family.

Although downsizing would be needed to adjust to one floor living, ingenious storage ideas can be custom-built and incorporated into the renovation to maintain optimal storage.

For longevity of your main floor renovation, flooring should be consistent throughout the main floor to eliminate surface changes, provide a level floor, and for ease of cleaning and maintenance. Linoleum or tile though should be the exception and used for flooring the bathroom.

A little outside the box thinking is the idea of building a separate entrance so that the upstairs space is accessible separately from the main level. Akin to renovating the basement for a granny suite or in-law suite for longer visits, renovating the upstairs to rent or provide living space for a grandchild attending college or university in town may be an option.

Turning the main level of your two-story home into a luxury condo is a renovation project for Old Castle Renovations. Give us a call for a free estimate to make your dream of growing old at home a reality.

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