By Megan Cooper of reallifehome.net
Image via Pixabay
4 Lighting Tips to Keep You in Your Home as You Age
Many seniors want to live independently for as long as they can, and with a few changes they are able to keep living safely in the comfort of their own home. Here, we look at four lighting changes that improve the safety of seniors and help them keep their independence longer.
1. Lighting the Kitchen Up Helps You Read Recipes and Modernize the Space
Installing better lighting in your kitchen will not only help you see better when you’re trying to read a recipe or chop some vegetables, but it can also upgrade the space’s look and feel. Replace an old ceiling fixture with track lighting to direct light where it’s needed—toward the counter, over the sink, and above the island.
Recessed can lights strategically placed around the room can provide optimal luminosity. Pair them with a dimmer switch for more flexibility, and your kitchen will instantly feel brighter and more modern.
And for added visual comfort, undercabinet fixtures are easy to install and will provide extra light on your counters.
2. New Bathroom Lights Keep You Safe and Help You Look Your Best
Good lighting in the bathroom will help you get ready and look your best. Illuminate your mirror by mounting fixtures on the wall to the side of the mirror. An overhead light will create shadows over your face, so either remove it or reorient it toward another part of the bathroom.
Select bright LED bulbs for your fixtures. You’ll be able to see yourself better, and the extra brightness will give you a boost of energy in the morning. It’s particularly important for seniors to have plenty of light in the bathroom to help them avoid tripping and falling over wet spots and unsecured rugs. A smart light switch can also help you control the lights using your voice, so you won’t have to fumble in the dark to find the bathroom anymore.
3. A Pendant Light Illuminates Your Entry
Consider a pendant light in the entryway to brighten up your foyer. Not only will its glow make your home more inviting, but it will also keep you safer when you enter your house at night by illuminating your way inside. There are many styles and options available, so you’re sure to find one that matches your interior.
Clear the space of clutter by adding some storage solutions that will neatly hold shoes, coats, umbrellas, and other essentials out of the way. And if you want to make the space feel bigger and brighter, add a mirror that will serve double duty by reflecting the existing light as well as letting you check how you look before you head out the door.
4. Adding Outdoor Lighting Welcomes Guests and Keeps Intruders Away
If you like to entertain in your backyard, there are many outdoor lighting options to keep the party going well into the night: wall lights, chandeliers, hanging lanterns, and post lights, as well as candles and torches, are all available for outdoor use. Additionally, think about adding light fixtures to keep you safe as you step outside or walk inside your home by installing path lights, floodlights, and spotlights. They should allow you to find your way around the perimeter of your house even when it’s dark and will prevent you from tripping over or bumping into obstacles.
Another benefit of adding outdoor light is that it can serve as an intruder deterrent, so think about adding motion sensor lights that will keep unwelcome visitors at bay and keep you safe at home.
Make aging in place safer and easier by upgrading the light fixtures around your house. There are many options to fit any budget and any style, so make it a priority to bring more light into your home. If you’re looking for help on how to select the best lighting upgrades for you, while also adding value to your home, reach out to Peg and Jeremy King for referrals and tips! With their help, and following this guide, you’ll be able to enjoy many more years in your safe haven!
At pegking.com, we are a full-service real estate team dedicated to making the selling and buying process easy, straightforward and worry-free. So call us today at 707-338-8821 to get started!