10 smart home improvement ideas for empty nesters and retirees
By Shannon McKee•Last updated Aug 11, 2022
Last updated Aug 11, 2022
The kids are finally out of the house. You'll miss them (of course), but now you can reclaim your space and make the changes you've been wanting to do for awhile now. And if you're also in retirement (or coming close to that stage in your life), you'll also have more free time to spend with loved ones, travel the world or relax at home.
Whether you're an empty nester or soon-to-be retiree, ask yourself: is my home truly my dream home? If not, now is the perfect time to consider a few projects that can make your home more secure, comfortable and yours.
Declutter, deep clean and organize
With fewer people in the house, it's a good time to start fresh. Begin in each room and get rid of old clutter, including children's clothes, toys, sporting equipment, old bedding, and even furniture. Be careful not to throw away sentimental items your kids left behind.
Don't limit decluttering to your kids' rooms. Go through your bedroom, closets, kitchen, garage, and attic to find unused items you no longer need. Have a yard sale, donate the items to charity, or contact a junk removal service to haul it all away.
Next, deep clean your home. You can do it yourself (using this checklist) or hire a house cleaning service to do it faster — and maybe better — than you could. During a deep clean, the goal is to remove dust, dirt, and grime that you don't usually address during regular cleaning. That means cleaning behind appliances, scrubbing your oven, washing interior windows, and more.
Once everything is clean and clutter-free, you're ready to reorganize your home. You may want to add more shelves, cabinets, cubbies, or storage units in your kitchen or spare room to create more space. Or you might need help organizing clothes and shoes in your closets, or tools and yard equipment in your garage. If you get stuck, consider hiring a professional home organizer for the job.
Consider senior-friendly home features
Now that the kids are gone, it's time to consider making your home work better for you. No one wants to think about what happens when they get older, but it's important to look at your home and determine how you can make it more comfortable and accessible. Making these changes now can help you live at home longer, rather than needing to move in with family.
For instance, you may want to add a bedroom on the first floor since your stairs could become too difficult to climb in the future. Or you may want to consider adding wheelchair access throughout your home, grab bars in the bathroom, and more.
Add a hobby space
Now that you have your house all to yourself, or if you no longer need to clock in at work, there's a good chance you'll have more free time to pursue hobbies. So why not create a space you can use to explore your interests and passions? You can:
- Convert your attic or your child's old bedroom into a studio to draw, paint, or do other arts and crafts.
- Turn your basement or garage into a home gym or dance studio.
- Make your home office a mini library with new bookshelves, a reading nook, and comfortable seating.
- Build a small greenhouse or garden in your backyard to grow your own plants, herbs, and food.
There are some questions you'll need to ask yourself before you begin. For example, will an existing room work for your hobby space? Or should you consider building an addition or an outbuilding? Does your hobby require a lot of lighting, like an art studio? Or do you need a space with no windows, like a darkroom?
When designing your hobby space, a professional can help answer any questions you have about which features you can include given your budget and layout.
Make your home smart and secure
One smart home improvement everyone should consider is to turn your home into a smart home. There is great technology you can customize to fit your specific needs. Popular features include smart thermostats that can be controlled from anywhere, water sensors, automatic lights and timers, cameras, alarms, and more.
If you plan on traveling a lot after you retire or when your kids go off to college, these smart home features can be especially useful. Security features such as alarms and cameras can give you peace of mind while you're away. Water sensors can alert you when there's a leak. And you can get your home ready for your return by turning on the lights and adjusting the temperature before you get back.
Many smart home devices are plug-and-play, meaning they only need to be plugged in to work, but it may be helpful to have professional help with the setup.
Remodel your closet
The truth is that after you retire, you probably won't need all of the clothing you used to wear to work. One of the first things you can do is go through your belongings and determine what you still need and what you can get rid of by selling, donating, or throwing away.
After you've identified what you'll keep, you can remodel and reorganize your closet to your liking. If your closet is spacious, this may mean converting it into a mini sanctuary where you can lounge and relax. If it's small but you have the extra space, you might choose to expand it. Or you may use your closet as storage space for the items you want to keep.
Make your bathroom a spa
Going to a luxury spa is a great way to relax and rest after a hard day of working in your garden, exercising, or volunteering. If you don't want to spend hundreds on a spa day, you could upgrade your bathroom into a more luxurious sanctuary.
Bathroom remodeling can be a major project that involves gutting the entire space and adding new plumbing, lighting, flooring, tile, and fixtures. You can replace your old tub with a walk-in shower that has a bench or a walk-in soaking spa tub. Both add a luxe touch.
You can also tackle smaller projects if you're not ready for a full remodel. Upgrading your fixtures is one easy option. Rainfall showerheads can help you enjoy your bathroom more during retirement. You might also consider lights and diffusers that offer aromatherapy scents, play music, and even change color to create a more relaxing environment. Finally, add candles, thick towels, and a plush rug for an overall spa vibe.
Refresh your doors, windows, lighting, flooring, and walls
After having kids in the house for all these years, your home's interior may have suffered quite a bit of damage. Chipped paint, dirty walls, scuffed floors, dings in the doors — children can definitely wreak havoc on your home. Now's the time to refresh it and make it as cozy as possible.
For example, it may be time to replace your doors and windows. Doors and windows age over time, and investing in new hardware may even boost your home's curb appeal. If you opt for more energy-efficient options, you can also benefit from lower energy bills and more savings.
Look at the floors in each room. If you have hardwood floors, you may want to refinish them. Do you have carpets? They're probably due for a professional cleaning. Or you may want to swap vinyl or laminate flooring for real wood or natural stone floors instead. Do a bit of research to determine the best flooring for each room in your home.
Don't forget about your walls and lighting, too. If your home is a bit dark and gloomy, consider brightening it up with new paint and better lighting. Choose paint colors and light fixtures that look good and lift your mood when you're spending long stretches at home.
Upgrade your backyard
In this stage of your life, you may find yourself wanting to spend more time outside. If so, consider creating an outdoor oasis for relaxation and get-togethers with loved ones.
Build a new deck, add a hot tub for long soaks, create an outdoor kitchen if you entertain often, and maybe even start a garden. Even if your backyard already has the features you like, it may be time to upgrade your landscaping. A professional landscaper or gardener can help you design your dream backyard.
Plan a kitchen and dining room remodel
After years of making school lunches five days a week and preparing breakfast and dinner nearly every day, it may be time to upgrade your kitchen and make some repairs. Even if you don't plan on cooking that much anymore, an updated kitchen can be an excellent project to improve your home's value.
Redesigning your kitchen's flow can help modernize your home and may also give you more storage. If you aren't interested in a full kitchen remodel, you could give it a mini-makeover by painting the cabinet doors or adding new hardware.
If you decide you want to move when you retire or when the kids leave, do a bit of research to identify a few kitchen upgrades that could help increase your home's value.
Replace your roof
Your home's roof is one of its most vital systems. It keeps your home dry and protects it from the elements.
Replacing your roof is one of the most expensive projects to undertake. Still, it may be worth the money — especially if your roof is old, damaged, and requires frequent repairs. Being proactive and getting a new roof means you won't have to worry about it later in life. Some of the roofing systems available today, like metal roofs, can last a very long time.
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