Moving is a difficult process that can stir up a lot of emotion. This is especially true when deciding to move to a senior living or assisted living home. In this post, we’ll offer guidance and assisted living decorating ideas for making an apartment feel like home.
Many seniors have lived in their homes for a long time. But when care needs increased, senior living or assisted living may be the best option for a higher quality of life. The transition from a long-time home to a brand new room in an unfamiliar place can present challenges, from downsizing a larger home to adjusting to new surroundings.
Of course, in time, the goal is to feel happy and at home in your new space! There are plenty of ways to help you ease into your new home for a more pleasant transition.
Read on to learn a few of our favorite tips for how to make an apartment feel like home.
Change Aesthetics Based on Rules
Before you make any major changes to your room, it’s a good idea to learn what the guidelines are in your community for personalizing your living space. These guidelines vary depending on where you live, so it’s best to understand what your limitations are before you begin.
Some communities may require certain types of furniture, window dressings, and paint colors. Others may allow you to request a change of paint color.
Once you know the guidelines, you can work within them to use nursing home room decor to create a space that feels all your own.
Hang Art
If your community does not allow large changes like painting the walls, there are still plenty of ways you can incorporate color, texture, and pattern to your liking. Hanging art is one excellent way to dress up plain, white walls and bring personality to your space.
Find Bedding You Love
Another major component of the personality of your space is your bedding. After all, your bed takes up a large portion of your room. Make sure your bedding is a color, texture, and pattern that brings you joy! You may also choose to add throw pillows to bring even more life to your space.
Change up Your Textiles
Textiles like blankets and pillows can be used in living areas to bring personality and color. Plus, one of the best parts of decorating with small items is that when you’re in the mood for a change, you can simply rearrange the pillows or swap them out for the season. That way, you can keep your space feeling fresh while the main furniture items remain the same.
Bring Hobbies & Activities
Part of what makes a home a home is easy access to the things you love to do! In order to feel comfortable at home, make sure all your favorite activities are as easy as opening a drawer for your colored pencils, picking a book off the shelf, or sitting down at your sewing machine.
This may even be the perfect time to change up your organization system to make it even easier to make time for your hobbies. For example, reorganize yarn for knitting and crocheting or alphabetize your books by author.
Having hobby supplies nearby helps you create a space that feels like your own.
Bring Sentimental Items
Sentimental items contribute to a sense of familiarity, which makes them an important part of decorating an assisted living apartment. Sentimental items can remind you of favorite memories and spark conversation with new neighbors.
What you consider sentimental is entirely up to you. Some items to consider include…
- Photos
- Heirloom furniture
- Blankets and textiles
- Art
- Decor items
Chances are, while you pack up your current home, the sentimental items will stand out in your mind.
Of course, while it is important to bring along old memories, don’t forget to leave room for new ones as well!
Time & Patience
Overall, it is natural to feel homesick right after your move. Try not to be too hard on yourself while you adjust to your new place. The feeling will come and go as you settle in and make new memories.
Move at your own pace and be gentle with yourself. Change is hard, but soon enough you will feel at home in assisted living.
Copeland Oaks Can Become Your Loved Ones Home
Looking for an assisted living or retirement community for your loved one? Copeland Oaks helps seniors feel at home with comfortable accommodations, friendly residents, fun recreational activities, and more.
Residents at Copeland have freedom and flexibility to customize their apartment to their liking – from updating the flooring and changing paint colors, to hanging curtains and artwork.
Click here to learn more about life at Copeland Oaks.