Welcome to this month’s installment of Dear Urbaneer, where I take on real estate questions from my inquisitive readers. This time, I am helping a homeowner who is weighing whether to renovate their current home to age in place or move somewhere else.
Dear Urbaneer:
I’m approaching retirement. I’m in good health and enjoy an active lifestyle. I’m thinking ahead, though, and looking at my current home and what changes I need to make to age in place comfortably. However, a lot of the designs I see look really clinical, and don’t really suit how I want to live today- but I still want to plan for tomorrow. Also, I am weighing moving to a different home for the purposes of aging in place, but I love where I live- the neighbours and the community- so I’d rather stay, if I could.
Signed,
Seeking Safety With Style, to Age in Place
Here’s my reply:
Hi Safety With Style:
You are asking this question at an interesting time. Aging in place has long been associated with clinical-looking, safety-first design that doesn’t always reflect today’s active lifestyles. However, that is changing as the principles of Universal Design become more mainstream.
Furthermore, more and more homeowners are wishing to remain in their residences to age in place so they can maintain their connection to their community, proximity to family, and to avoid disrupting the familiarity of a lifestyle they enjoy- which is really important as you age. But it’s also about the magnitude of disruption one has to navigate to change your address when you’ve lived in one place for decades. More simply, if you like where you live – or even if it’s ‘just ok’ – and you have the financial means, why move? Downsizing is an onerous task that, save for the most organized and enthusiasts for new adventures, is an enormous time-consuming mentally and emotionally exhausting endeavour. It’s easily overwhelming making it way easy to defer, procrastinate, or dawdle on getting it done. The cherry on top is that the process is not just about downsizing, but also all the unknowns about where you’re going next, and what it will mean if any of the decisions you make (where, what, when, why, who and how much) are wrong. No one should fear change when it’s the only thing is life that’s guaranteed, but a general trend rather than a universal rule is that psychological and sociological data show that people do tend to become more resistant to change as they age, driven by shifts in personality, cognitive processing, and established life routines.
Back in 2023 I shared my own experience with a family member in Dear Urbaneer called: What Is The Best Process For My Elderly Parents To Downsize And Sell Their House? In that post I wrote:
“In my Aunt’s case, at the age of 88, she left her comfortable familiar home to move into an aesthetically pleasing albeit still institutional care environment. Ironically, it has an almost identical space plan as her condo which made us think the transition would be easy. But as she was exiting her condo she said “I know where every light switch is located, how many steps it is from the kitchen to my living room sofa once I’ve made a cup of tea, and exactly where to turn the faucet to fill my bath with warm but not too hot water. I’ll miss that”. Being a younger generation, the lens through which we view a move into a new place is that there will be a period of adjustment learning its systems, its nuances, and its quirks. It’s not a task we welcome, but it’s also not a task we resist. And presumably, in our heads, it’s occurring because it’s a choice we’ve made and it’s a choice we want. But what if you don’t really want to move, even though you know you have to move? Or you’re tackling it when you don’t feel your physical, mental, or emotional best? What happens is that for several weeks after taking occupancy of your new residence, you’re still fumbling for a light switch that isn’t there, or you scald yourself while having a shower. And in your mind’s confusion, you may even start misplacing other everyday items which frustrates you even more. This is happening because all of the original electrical switches and outlets, faucets and taps, thermostats and ceiling fans, and levers and pulls to open and close the windows of your former home for decades are still part of your own foundational circuitry as a human who occupied that space for a really long time. Except your mind is still adapting to the reality you don’t live there anymore which is completely understandable when it’s become an ingrained pattern. But it also portends the challenges anyone may face if their last move is late in life. Understand and acknowledge this as part of aging, ok?”
Also, despite our efforts to forget, we’re just six years past witnessing how devastating the COVID-19 Outbreaks In Long-Term Care Facilities were, that anyone in their 50s-plus at the time made the decision that ‘No Way!’ will I ever live in a long-term care home. The residual stain that left its mark is that it’s not just older generations that are looking at their homes through the lens of aging in place. Many homeowners planning for aging in place are simply thinking ahead. Whether nearing retirement, future-proofing their home or living in a multigenerational household, they want spaces that support active living while blending safety, comfort, and the freedom to self-isolate when the next pandemic knocks on our doors.
As Universal Design features that support aging in place become more mainstream, design choices, products, and features have evolved alongside them, creating beautiful, useful options. This is also true as technology evolves too. Although boomers are exasperated by double-authenticating every online purchase and the necessity of changing every single password with increasingly complicated arrangements of buttons on our keyboards, more new-fan gadgets and services can actively make aging in place in your current home more viable- because of added safety and streamlining of daily activities, addressed here in this recent Globe and Mail article: How Tech Can Increase Safety While Helping To Lower The Cost Of Growing Old At Home.
It’s no longer about embracing against decline that comes with aging, but rather embracing the moment- through design, whether that’s retirement, second-act careers, turnkey lifestyle, helping with family and childcare, pursuing hobbies, or choosing to slow the living pace down on your own terms, in your own home- or all of the above.
The result is a more sociable, dynamic home where safety and comfort are built into the design, supporting an active lifestyle today while preparing the home for changing needs in the years ahead.
It’s worth mentioning that new options are emerging in Toronto real estate that may be suitable if you are thinking about moving- as this recent Toronto Star article refers to Condo Crash’s Silver Lining: These Toronto Developers See Profit In Building For Seniors. Some developers are pivoting toward making condo developments more aging-in-place-friendly and in good locations.
However, for reasons you mentioned, you would ideally like to stay where you are, which is also a viable option.
I’ve written several posts on aging in place and on multi-generational households, which would be helpful in guiding the scope of your design plans.
In this post,Dear Urbaneer: Is It Better To Buy Or Rent When Planning To Age In Place In Toronto? I advise a couple weighing their options for easing into a home intended to age in place and considering homes in more than one location as a lifestyle benefit. Lifestyle matters-especially as you age, which is one reason that proper lifestyle-first home design is so important.
In these posts,Multi-Generational Living Is Trending In Toronto and Dear Urbaneer: What’s Driving The Trend For Multi-Generational Housing In Toronto Real Estate?, I explore the rising trend of multi-generational living in Toronto, given lifestyle preferences, aging parents and young kids- and their caregivers in between- and how housing is responding.
Let’s take a look at aging-in-place design trends, and how they are appearing in homes now.
A Case Study
This recent article from Chatelaine How A 78-Year-Old Renovated Her Home To Age In Place is an interesting tale about some of the challenges- and solutions- faced by a homeowner renovating her home to be suitable for aging in place.
The existing design of the home posed some problems for her, including several staircases, a hazardous bathtub, and kitchens, laundry, and other utility rooms spread across various floors. The renovation involved combining all the spaces the homeowner needed on one floor, with easy-access storage, a step-free shower instead of a tub, a stair lift to navigate the stairs, and small but incredibly helpful details, like levers replacing doorknobs, which are easier to use for aging fingers. The remaining floors could host renters, if the homeowner chooses.
On top of the structural and functional changes, what’s really wonderful about this reno is how the designer honoured the home’s style and incorporated details such as crown moulding and pocket doors to maintain stylistic continuity, demonstrating that aging in place does not have to come at the expense of design and decor. It’s about considering how a space needs to function and feel, and strategically combining those elements.
What’s even more special is how this author frames this reno as not simply aging in place, but thriving in place, which is a key distinction, and truly demonstrates what the ultimate goal should be when designing for today’s homeowners to age comfortably in place.
Creating Safe, But Welcoming Kitchens
The kitchen has always been a potential hazard, so aging-in-place design has traditionally focused on reducing risk through features such as lowered counters, extra-wide doorways, and touchless faucets. Those elements remain important, but today’s kitchens are also designed to be more functional, aspirational and enjoyable to use.
After years spent working outside the home, the kitchen often becomes an even greater social hub in retirement. Entertaining shifts from occasional family dinners to smaller gatherings with friends, neighbours and book clubs. Layouts that improve traffic flow and extend sightlines make the space easier to navigate while creating a more inviting place to gather. Comfortable seating, whether at an island or built-in banquette, encourages people to linger.
Many retirees also embrace cooking in a way they may not have had time for during their working years. Walk-in pantries with easy-access storage, multiple prep areas and durable, low-maintenance surfaces, such as quartz, make the kitchen easier to use every day.
Safety features have also become more refined, blending into the overall design. Induction cooktops stay cooler than traditional gas or electric burners, while layered task lighting and slip-resistant flooring improve visibility and traction. Deep drawers replace lower cabinets to reduce bending, wall ovens and microwave drawers place appliances within easier reach, and French-door refrigerators keep everyday foods at eye level. Full-extension soft-close drawers and easy-grip hardware further reduce strain, making the kitchen more comfortable to use for years to come.
Navigating Multiple Floors
Ideally, aging-in-place design often means eliminating the need for stairs, which can become difficult- or even impossible- to navigate as one ages. But finding a suitable bungalow is increasingly rare in the city of Toronto, in part because during my 35 year careerf the post-war bungalows were purchased and redeveloped, and depending on the neighbourhood in question,
There are, however, workarounds, much like what was demonstrated in the Chatelaine story. You can renovate one floor of your home to accommodate your daily needs, and center your life there.
Or, stair lifts grant safe access between floors. Installing an elevator might also be an option, depending on the home’s configuration and budget.
For homeowners thinking about aging in place and making renovations, you can plan for a potential elevator. A common approach is to stack closets on top of one another between floors, making it easier to install an elevator shaft later.
Safe, But Spa-Like Bathrooms
Bathrooms are notorious hazards for aging in place, between the moisture, abundant hard surfaces, and often tight corners and spaces. To maneuver these challenges, aging-in-place design has commonly used very clinical-looking elements- hospital-like grab bars, raised toilet inserts, and step-in tubs with clunkier designs.
Thankfully, the bathroom has received an aging-in-place makeover, thanks to new designs and decor (Thank you, Universal Design!).
For one, grab bars are now sculptural and elegant, and come in a variety of colours, finishes, shapes and sizes that make them look like an intentional and bespoke part of the design.
Oversized curbless showers replace tubs, or tub/shower combinations. If you are keen on bathing, a step-in tub with a bench works well.
A note for multi-gen families, or if you are thinking about resale, it is always a good idea to have a tub somewhere in a home, for bathing kids and pets. A “safer” bathtub style is a platform tub, with a wide surround, where you can sit and transfer to the tub- but note for true aging in place, a shower wins over a step-down tub, of any style.
Not quite ready for main-floor living, but think you might be one day? Rough-in for a full bathroom on the main floor (even better if the bathroom is near a flex room, or extra bedroom). That makes the transition easier down the road.
Comfort matters, so features like heated floors and smart tech make the bathroom more spa-like and safer.
Here is a great design inspo for aging-in-place bathrooms from the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association): Accessible Bathroom Design Is Evolving: What Designers Should Know.
Outdoor Living
Although outdoor spaces are a much-coveted feature in a home, they are often forgotten in aging-in-place design.
A must are shade structures, and even ground, whether that is decking or varied landscapes with wide stairs and railings.
Raised planters and gardens allow you to continue your gardening habit without getting down on the ground or bending over as much.
Depending on the size of your outdoor space, integrate seating at multiple locations, so it’s easy to sit and rest from anywhere in your yard.
Whole-Home Details
Successful aging-in-place design ultimately relies on a myriad of smaller design details that combine to create a comfortable, stylish environment. These points are not necessarily room-specific, but are elements to include in each room, where possible.
Non-slip flooring, ideally with minimal or no transitions.
- Layered lighting, with a focus on task-oriented lighting and a focus on colour temperature to aid with aging eyes.
- Smart home systems that allow touch or voice control, minimizing steps for operational requirements, for everything from security to lighting, to appliances, and blinds.
- Wider hallways and doorways- which permit easier movement- and help contribute to aesthetic flow too.
- Easy-to-reach storage.
Aging in place no longer means choosing safety at the expense of style. With thoughtful planning, Universal Design, and today’s more refined products and technologies, a home can remain welcoming, functional, and beautiful while adapting to changing needs. From accessible kitchens and spa-like bathrooms to improved lighting, wider pathways, safer outdoor spaces, and options for navigating multiple floors, these upgrades can support independence without making a home feel clinical. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to remain at home, but to thrive there, surrounded by the comfort, community, and lifestyle that make it meaningful.
Are you looking for ways to make your current home more suitable for aging in place, or perhaps looking for a new home to transform to age in place comfortably? This is a service that I offer, and I’m happy to advise you on the finer details of how to create a home that lets you thrive in place. I’m here to help!
Sometimes The Right Real Estate Move Isn’t Moving
Your home may no longer work as well as it once did. Perhaps you need more room, less upkeep, additional income, greater accessibility, or space for several generations under one roof. Selling might be one solution, but it isn’t necessarily the only one. It also can be quite expensive once you account for expenses like cleaners, movers, realtor fees, land transfer taxes, etc.
Beyond my work as a realtor, I’m also a Housing Consultant! I help property owners explore how their existing home might be modified, improved or reimagined to better support the life they’re living now, and the one they’re planning for next.
I bring 35 years of experience in Toronto’s new-home and resale real estate markets, along with an academic background in history, urban studies and environmental studies. My education in urban design, planning and development, combined with decades spent evaluating homes in the real estate trenches, allows me to consider a property from several angles: its current condition, its untapped potential, its market value and, most importantly, how well it serves the people who live there.
My consultations begin with a conversation, followed by a walk-through of your home or a Zoom meeting. I’ll listen to what’s working, what isn’t, and what may be changing in the years ahead. Then I’ll offer practical, customized recommendations based on your needs, priorities and budget. There’s no assumption that you should renovate, rebuild or sell. Sometimes a strategic adjustment is all that’s required. Sometimes the house needs a more ambitious intervention. And occasionally, the walls really are trying to tell us something.
Some of The Many Topics I Offer Counsel & Guidance On:
• Economical ways to maximize your property’s resale value
• Aging-in-place, income-offset and multigenerational adaptations
• Whether to expand, modify or tear down, including highest-and-best-use considerations
• Design, finishing and space-planning recommendations or reviews
• Letters of opinion on property value
My role is to give you an informed, independent perspective before you commit to an expensive renovation, a major lifestyle change or a For Sale sign on the lawn. You’ll receive clear guidance, useful options and a practical direction for moving forward, whether that ultimately means improving your home, adapting it for the future or deciding that it really is time to move.
Your home already has a story. Let’s determine what its next chapter should be.
Here are a few more blogs for your reading pleasure!
About Universal Design: Applications For Aging In Place & Toronto Real Estate
Dear Urbaneer: Do We Age In Place, Downsize, Cohouse Or Move To A Retirement Community?
A Cottage To Age In Place In Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dear Urbaneer: How Do We Establish Our Interior Design Style?
Dear Urbaneer: What Is Neuro-Inclusive Design And How Will It Improve Our Living Environments?
Dear Urbaneer: What Is Biophilia And How Can I Use It In Home Design?
Dear Urbaneer: What Is Wellness Lighting Design, And Can It Really Improve Health At Home?
How To Recognize Architectural Design Features That Increase Resale Value
Since 1989, I’ve steered my career through a real estate market crash and burn; survived a slow painful cross-country recession; completed an M.E.S. graduate degree from York University called ‘Planning Housing Environments’; executed the concept, sales & marketing of multiple new condo and vintage loft conversions; and guided hundreds of clients through the purchase and sale of hundreds of freehold and condominium dwellings across the original City of Toronto. From a gritty port industrial city into a glittering post-industrial global centre, I’ve navigated the ebbs and flows of a property market as a consistent Top Producer. And I remain as passionate about it today as when I started.
Please consider contacting me at 416-845-9905 or emailing me at Steve@urbaneer.com. It would be my pleasure to assist you.
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