June 27, 2025 • 12 mins
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We explore the pros and cons of open floor plans for seniors aging in place, providing insights and expert tips to help determine if this popular design choice is right for your golden years.
Visit our website at ageinplacedirectory.com for more tips, resources, and inspiration to help you or your loved ones live well at home today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
Thanks for listening!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Aging in Place Directory podcast.
I'm your host, robin Schultz,and today we're talking about a
hot topic in home design, onethat's been reshaping the way we
live, entertain and, yes, agein place.
And that is the pros and consof open floor plans for seniors.
Whether you're a seniorplanning to stay in your home
(00:22):
for the long haul, a caregiveror a family member helping loved
ones make housing decisions,this episode is packed with
insights, expert tips and a fewstories to help you decide if an
open floor plan is right foryour golden years.
So let's open the doors,literally and figuratively, and
explore what open floor planscan offer and where they might
(00:45):
fall short for seniors lookingto age in place.
So first let's define what wemean by an open floor plan.
In a nutshell, it's a homelayout where traditional
barriers, walls and doorsbetween main living spaces, like
the kitchen, dining and livingrooms, are removed.
Instead of compartmentalizedrooms, you get one large,
(01:07):
flowing space.
It's modern, it's airy and it'sbecome a hallmark of
contemporary home design.
But is it all sunshine andseamless movement?
Well, let's find out.
So first let's look at the pros.
Why open floor plans shine forseniors?
Number one is enhancedaccessibility and mobility.
(01:28):
One of the biggest advantagesof open floor plans for seniors
is improved accessibility.
With fewer doorways, narrowhalls and thresholds, it becomes
much easier to move around,whether you're using a walker,
wheelchair or you just want toavoid tripping hazards.
The unobstructed flow betweenkitchen, dining and living areas
(01:50):
means you can navigate yourhome with confidence, reducing
the risk of accidents.
Imagine rolling a wheelchairfrom your favorite reading nook
to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
No doors to wrestle with, notight corners to squeeze through
.
For many, this is a gamechanger.
Number two is the socialconnection and family
(02:11):
interaction.
Open floor plans are social bydesign.
They encourage conversation andtogetherness, making it easy to
keep up with family or friends,even if you're busy in the
kitchen while others relax inthe living room.
Family or friends, even ifyou're busy in the kitchen while
others relax in the living room.
For seniors, this can be vitalfor mental and emotional
(02:32):
well-being.
Picture this You're preparing ameal, your grandkids are
playing nearby and you're stillpart of the action.
No need to shout through wallsor miss out on precious moments.
Number three is the naturallight and cheerful spaces.
With fewer walls, natural lightcan flood the entire living
space, making the home feelbrighter and more welcoming.
This isn't just aboutaesthetics Natural light can
(03:03):
boost mood, help regulate sleepand even support vitamin D
production, which is especiallyimportant as we age.
Plus, open layouts oftenfeature larger windows and
better views, bringing a littlebit of the outdoors inside and
making daily living just a bitmore joyful.
Number four is flexibility forchanging needs.
As our needs evolve, so do ourhomes.
Open floor plans offer a blankcanvas that can be adapted over
(03:25):
time.
Maybe you want to add a cozyreading corner or rearrange
furniture for easier movement.
The lack of fixed walls meansyou can reconfigure this space
as your lifestyle or mobilityneeds change.
This flexibility also means youcan more easily incorporate
aging in place features likegrab bars, ramps or specialized
(03:46):
furniture without majorrenovations.
Number five is entertaining madeeasy.
If you love hosting familygatherings or having friends
over, open floor plans are yourbest friend.
There's no more crowding into atiny kitchen or shouting
through closed doors.
Everyone can mingle, movefreely and enjoy each other's
(04:06):
company.
It's perfect for holidays,birthdays or just a casual
Sunday brunch.
Number six is efficient use ofspace.
Older homes often have formalrooms that rarely get used, a
dining room that only seesaction at Thanksgiving, or a
living room that's off-limits tograndkids.
Open floor plans eliminatewasted space, allowing every
(04:30):
square foot to serve a purpose.
This is especially valuable forseniors looking to downsize or
simplify.
So let's look at the cons.
Where do open floor plans fallshort?
Of course, no design is perfect, so some of the challenges that
open floor plans can presentfor seniors.
Number one is noise, noisenoise.
(04:52):
With no walls to muffle soundopen floor plans can get noisy.
The clatter of dishes, the humof the TV, conversations can all
blend together, making it hardto find peace and quiet.
Making it hard to find peaceand quiet.
For seniors with hearing issuesor those who value a tranquil
environment, this can be a realdrawback.
Imagine trying to read whilethe dishwasher runs and the
(05:14):
grandkids play nearby.
Sometimes a little separation isa good thing.
Number two is less privacy.
Open layouts mean fewer placesto retreat for a private phone
call, an app or some quietreflection.
If you live with family or havefrequent visitors, you might
find yourself longing for a doorto close behind you.
This lack of privacy can beespecially challenging for
(05:38):
multi-generational households,where everyone needs their own
space.
Now and then.
Number three it's harder tohide the mess.
Let's face it, life is messy.
In an open floor plan, thekitchen, dining and living areas
are all on display.
If you're not a fan of constanttidying, or if mobility issues
make cleaning up quickly achallenge, this can be stressful
(06:01):
.
There's nowhere to hide thedirty dishes or the laundry
piles when guests drop byunexpectedly.
4.
Climate control changes.
Large open spaces can be harderto heat or cool efficiently.
Seniors who are sensitive totemperature changes may find it
difficult to keep the whole areacomfortable without running up
(06:23):
energy bills.
Smaller, enclosed rooms tend tohold heat or cool air better,
which can be a consideration forthose on a fixed income.
Number five is the potentialfor visual confusion.
For some seniors, especiallythose with vision or cognitive
impairments, an open space withlots of furniture, patterns or
(06:43):
colors can be overwhelming ordisorienting.
Clear pathways and definedzones are important, but without
walls to guide you, it's easyto lose track of where one area
ends and another begins.
Number six is cost andcomplexity of renovations.
If you're considering turning anolder traditional home into an
(07:04):
open floor plan, be prepared forpotential headaches.
Traditional home into an openfloor plan be prepared for
potential headaches.
Removing walls can be expensive, especially if they're
load-bearing or packed withplumbing and electrical systems.
Not every home is a goodcandidate for a full open
concept remodel.
You might be wondering are openfloor plans still in style?
(07:24):
Are they trendy?
The answer is yes, but with atwist.
While open layouts remainpopular for their versatility
and resale value, there's agrowing trend toward broken plan
designs, which use partialwalls, sliding doors or
furniture to create flexiblezones within an open space.
This hybrid approach can offerthe best of both worlds openness
(07:48):
when you want it and privacywhen you need it.
Here are expert tips for makingan open floor plan work for
seniors.
If you're sold on the idea ofan open floor plan or you
already have one, these experttips will help you maximize its
benefits for aging in place.
First, define zones withfurniture and rugs.
(08:10):
Use area rugs, bookcases orscreens to visually separate
spaces without building walls.
This helps create a sense oforder and can reduce visual
clutter.
Also, keep pathways clear.
Arrange furniture to allow forwide, unobstructed walkways.
You need about 36 inches widefor wheelchairs and walkers.
(08:32):
Also, use lightingstrategically Layered lighting,
overhead, task and accentlighting can help define spaces
and improve safety, especiallyat night.
Consider acoustics Add softfurnishings, curtains and rugs
to absorb sound and reduceechoes.
Plan for storage, incorporateplenty of accessible storage to
(08:55):
keep clutter at bay, sinceeverything is on display in an
open layout.
And personalize for comfort.
Don't forget or excuse me,don't be afraid to add cozy
touches, touches like plants,artwork or a favorite chair, to
make the space feel warm andinviting, not just vast and
empty.
So let's bring open floor plansto life with a couple of
(09:18):
real-world examples.
Mary, age 72, in Raleigh, northCarolina, says when my husband
and I remodeled our home, weknocked down the wall between
the kitchen and living room.
Now, when my grandkids visit, Ican cook and keep an eye on
them.
It's bright and cheerful and Ifeel less isolated.
But I do miss having a quietroom to read in when everyone's
(09:40):
over.
And Frank, who's 80 and livesin Baltimore, maryland, says I
use a walker and the open floorplan makes it so much easier to
get around.
No more bumping into doorframes, but I had to invest in
some area rugs to cut down onthe noise and make sure I don't
slip.
To invest in some area rugs tocut down on the noise and make
sure I don't slip.
So final thoughts Is an openfloor plan right for you?
(10:04):
Well, there's noone-size-fits-all answer.
For many seniors, open floorplans offer a safer, more social
and flexible way to age inplace.
For others, the lack of privacy, increased noise and cleaning
challenges can outweigh thebenefits.
If you're considering a move ora renovation, think about your
daily routines, your healthneeds and what makes you feel
(10:31):
most at home, and remember agood designer can help you
strike the perfect balance,creating an environment that's
open, inviting and tailored toyour unique needs as you age.
So that's it for today'sepisode of the Aging in Place
Directory podcast.
If you enjoyed this discussion,please be sure to subscribe and
then check out our website atageinplacedirectorycom for more
(10:51):
tips, resources and inspirationto help you or your loved ones
live well at home today,tomorrow and for years to come.
Thanks for listening.
Until next time, take care Bye.
Welcome to the Aging in Place Directory podcast.
I'm your host, robin Schultz,and today we're talking about a
hot topic in home design, onethat's been reshaping the way we
live, entertain and, yes, agein place.
And that is the pros and consof open floor plans for seniors.
Whether you're a seniorplanning to stay in your home
(00:22):
for the long haul, a caregiveror a family member helping loved
ones make housing decisions,this episode is packed with
insights, expert tips and a fewstories to help you decide if an
open floor plan is right foryour golden years.
So let's open the doors,literally and figuratively, and
explore what open floor planscan offer and where they might
(00:45):
fall short for seniors lookingto age in place.
So first let's define what wemean by an open floor plan.
In a nutshell, it's a homelayout where traditional
barriers, walls and doorsbetween main living spaces, like
the kitchen, dining and livingrooms, are removed.
Instead of compartmentalizedrooms, you get one large,
(01:07):
flowing space.
It's modern, it's airy and it'sbecome a hallmark of
contemporary home design.
But is it all sunshine andseamless movement?
Well, let's find out.
So first let's look at the pros.
Why open floor plans shine forseniors?
Number one is enhancedaccessibility and mobility.
(01:28):
One of the biggest advantagesof open floor plans for seniors
is improved accessibility.
With fewer doorways, narrowhalls and thresholds, it becomes
much easier to move around,whether you're using a walker,
wheelchair or you just want toavoid tripping hazards.
The unobstructed flow betweenkitchen, dining and living areas
(01:50):
means you can navigate yourhome with confidence, reducing
the risk of accidents.
Imagine rolling a wheelchairfrom your favorite reading nook
to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
No doors to wrestle with, notight corners to squeeze through
.
For many, this is a gamechanger.
Number two is the socialconnection and family
(02:11):
interaction.
Open floor plans are social bydesign.
They encourage conversation andtogetherness, making it easy to
keep up with family or friends,even if you're busy in the
kitchen while others relax inthe living room.
Family or friends, even ifyou're busy in the kitchen while
others relax in the living room.
For seniors, this can be vitalfor mental and emotional
(02:32):
well-being.
Picture this You're preparing ameal, your grandkids are
playing nearby and you're stillpart of the action.
No need to shout through wallsor miss out on precious moments.
Number three is the naturallight and cheerful spaces.
With fewer walls, natural lightcan flood the entire living
space, making the home feelbrighter and more welcoming.
This isn't just aboutaesthetics Natural light can
(03:03):
boost mood, help regulate sleepand even support vitamin D
production, which is especiallyimportant as we age.
Plus, open layouts oftenfeature larger windows and
better views, bringing a littlebit of the outdoors inside and
making daily living just a bitmore joyful.
Number four is flexibility forchanging needs.
As our needs evolve, so do ourhomes.
Open floor plans offer a blankcanvas that can be adapted over
(03:25):
time.
Maybe you want to add a cozyreading corner or rearrange
furniture for easier movement.
The lack of fixed walls meansyou can reconfigure this space
as your lifestyle or mobilityneeds change.
This flexibility also means youcan more easily incorporate
aging in place features likegrab bars, ramps or specialized
(03:46):
furniture without majorrenovations.
Number five is entertaining madeeasy.
If you love hosting familygatherings or having friends
over, open floor plans are yourbest friend.
There's no more crowding into atiny kitchen or shouting
through closed doors.
Everyone can mingle, movefreely and enjoy each other's
(04:06):
company.
It's perfect for holidays,birthdays or just a casual
Sunday brunch.
Number six is efficient use ofspace.
Older homes often have formalrooms that rarely get used, a
dining room that only seesaction at Thanksgiving, or a
living room that's off-limits tograndkids.
Open floor plans eliminatewasted space, allowing every
(04:30):
square foot to serve a purpose.
This is especially valuable forseniors looking to downsize or
simplify.
So let's look at the cons.
Where do open floor plans fallshort?
Of course, no design is perfect, so some of the challenges that
open floor plans can presentfor seniors.
Number one is noise, noisenoise.
(04:52):
With no walls to muffle soundopen floor plans can get noisy.
The clatter of dishes, the humof the TV, conversations can all
blend together, making it hardto find peace and quiet.
Making it hard to find peaceand quiet.
For seniors with hearing issuesor those who value a tranquil
environment, this can be a realdrawback.
Imagine trying to read whilethe dishwasher runs and the
(05:14):
grandkids play nearby.
Sometimes a little separation isa good thing.
Number two is less privacy.
Open layouts mean fewer placesto retreat for a private phone
call, an app or some quietreflection.
If you live with family or havefrequent visitors, you might
find yourself longing for a doorto close behind you.
This lack of privacy can beespecially challenging for
(05:38):
multi-generational households,where everyone needs their own
space.
Now and then.
Number three it's harder tohide the mess.
Let's face it, life is messy.
In an open floor plan, thekitchen, dining and living areas
are all on display.
If you're not a fan of constanttidying, or if mobility issues
make cleaning up quickly achallenge, this can be stressful
(06:01):
.
There's nowhere to hide thedirty dishes or the laundry
piles when guests drop byunexpectedly.
4.
Climate control changes.
Large open spaces can be harderto heat or cool efficiently.
Seniors who are sensitive totemperature changes may find it
difficult to keep the whole areacomfortable without running up
(06:23):
energy bills.
Smaller, enclosed rooms tend tohold heat or cool air better,
which can be a consideration forthose on a fixed income.
Number five is the potentialfor visual confusion.
For some seniors, especiallythose with vision or cognitive
impairments, an open space withlots of furniture, patterns or
(06:43):
colors can be overwhelming ordisorienting.
Clear pathways and definedzones are important, but without
walls to guide you, it's easyto lose track of where one area
ends and another begins.
Number six is cost andcomplexity of renovations.
If you're considering turning anolder traditional home into an
(07:04):
open floor plan, be prepared forpotential headaches.
Traditional home into an openfloor plan be prepared for
potential headaches.
Removing walls can be expensive, especially if they're
load-bearing or packed withplumbing and electrical systems.
Not every home is a goodcandidate for a full open
concept remodel.
You might be wondering are openfloor plans still in style?
(07:24):
Are they trendy?
The answer is yes, but with atwist.
While open layouts remainpopular for their versatility
and resale value, there's agrowing trend toward broken plan
designs, which use partialwalls, sliding doors or
furniture to create flexiblezones within an open space.
This hybrid approach can offerthe best of both worlds openness
(07:48):
when you want it and privacywhen you need it.
Here are expert tips for makingan open floor plan work for
seniors.
If you're sold on the idea ofan open floor plan or you
already have one, these experttips will help you maximize its
benefits for aging in place.
First, define zones withfurniture and rugs.
(08:10):
Use area rugs, bookcases orscreens to visually separate
spaces without building walls.
This helps create a sense oforder and can reduce visual
clutter.
Also, keep pathways clear.
Arrange furniture to allow forwide, unobstructed walkways.
You need about 36 inches widefor wheelchairs and walkers.
(08:32):
Also, use lightingstrategically Layered lighting,
overhead, task and accentlighting can help define spaces
and improve safety, especiallyat night.
Consider acoustics Add softfurnishings, curtains and rugs
to absorb sound and reduceechoes.
Plan for storage, incorporateplenty of accessible storage to
(08:55):
keep clutter at bay, sinceeverything is on display in an
open layout.
And personalize for comfort.
Don't forget or excuse me,don't be afraid to add cozy
touches, touches like plants,artwork or a favorite chair, to
make the space feel warm andinviting, not just vast and
empty.
So let's bring open floor plansto life with a couple of
(09:18):
real-world examples.
Mary, age 72, in Raleigh, northCarolina, says when my husband
and I remodeled our home, weknocked down the wall between
the kitchen and living room.
Now, when my grandkids visit, Ican cook and keep an eye on
them.
It's bright and cheerful and Ifeel less isolated.
But I do miss having a quietroom to read in when everyone's
(09:40):
over.
And Frank, who's 80 and livesin Baltimore, maryland, says I
use a walker and the open floorplan makes it so much easier to
get around.
No more bumping into doorframes, but I had to invest in
some area rugs to cut down onthe noise and make sure I don't
slip.
To invest in some area rugs tocut down on the noise and make
sure I don't slip.
So final thoughts Is an openfloor plan right for you?
(10:04):
Well, there's noone-size-fits-all answer.
For many seniors, open floorplans offer a safer, more social
and flexible way to age inplace.
For others, the lack of privacy, increased noise and cleaning
challenges can outweigh thebenefits.
If you're considering a move ora renovation, think about your
daily routines, your healthneeds and what makes you feel
(10:31):
most at home, and remember agood designer can help you
strike the perfect balance,creating an environment that's
open, inviting and tailored toyour unique needs as you age.
So that's it for today'sepisode of the Aging in Place
Directory podcast.
If you enjoyed this discussion,please be sure to subscribe and
then check out our website atageinplacedirectorycom for more
(10:51):
tips, resources and inspirationto help you or your loved ones
live well at home today,tomorrow and for years to come.
Thanks for listening.
Until next time, take care Bye.
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