In a perfect world, all homes would be designed with some level of accessibility in mind, including flooring options that support mobility aids. We never know when an injury or illness might strike, and age-related changes can creep up on us before we know it.
Partnering with the local flooring design specialists at Creative Floors allows Orlando area homeowners to enjoy luxurious residential flooring selections that look beautiful and can serve your household’s needs for many years to come.
Creative Floors Has Luxury Flooring Options For Aging in Place
Planning for the future by selecting the best flooring options for aging in place optimizes quality of life while increasing home value. Here are our top flooring recommendations for active, safe, and independent senior living.
Focus on Accessibility Before Aesthetics
The great news is that we’ll be able to meet or exceed your aesthetic preferences no matter what materials you decide on. Therefore, we recommend focusing on accessibility first so you don’t get attached to flooring materials that aren’t well-suited for the space or your long-term goals.
When it comes to accessible design (also called universal design) tenets, we focus on:
- Flooring that supports mobility. You never know when you might need to use a wheelchair, walker, or cane. Flooring that supports mobility ease not only supports you or other household members but is also a welcome feature for guests who require walking support.
- Minimized slip hazard. Textured surfaces and surfaces advertised as non-slip or slip-resistant minimize the risk of slipping and falling. However, don’t rely on the attributes advertised online or in big box stores. Working with local flooring pros in person is the only way to ensure you get the quality flooring, installation, and warranties you expect.
- Even transitions from space to space. If you want to install different flooring types from room to room, we’ll work carefully to provide selections with similar profiles to minimize the risk of trip hazards.
- Durability and ease of maintenance. Finally, age-related changes can also make us or our loved ones more prone to dropping or spilling things. Some flooring is harder than others – even in the genre of hard-surface materials. So, when clients are specifically interested in senior-friendly flooring options, we’ll discuss what flooring may be better suited to one living space over another.
Top Senior-Friendly Flooring Options
The best senior-friendly flooring materials are also the best choices for households with young children, grandchildren, and pets. This is why they’re optimal choices for just about everyone and add value to any home.
1. Luxury Vinyl Planks
Luxury vinyl planks (or LVPs) are one of our top recommendations for clients 50+ or who plan to age in place. They come in a wide range of finishes and patterns that do a remarkable job of replicating natural wood and stone products.
LVPs are also well-suited to Orlando area homes because, in addition to being durable and easy to maintain, they’re also water-resistant. The majority of our clients enjoy active, indoor/outdoor lifestyles, and this flooring material can withstand the mess and moisture levels experienced when you come back inside from the garden, pool, or hot tub.
2. Laminate Floors
If you love the look of natural hardwood, we also recommend browsing our selections of waterproof laminate flooring products. These are a specific type of laminate flooring that has a specialized subfloor and ultra-tough top layer sealants that prevent water from seeping into the joints between the panels or being absorbed by a particleboard core that’s in many of the “cheap” laminate products advertised online or in discount stores.
While laminate floors are considered a hard surface flooring option, they have a bit more give than solid hardwood or tile, meaning things like glasses or mugs are less likely to shatter when dropped. We say laminate flooring offers “lifetime affordability” because it doesn’t require a lifetime of sealing, stripping/refinishing, repairing, or replacing materials compared to hardwood.
3. Low-Profile Carpeting
Carpeting is also an excellent flooring material for any home. However, if there’s an emphasis placed on aging safely and comfortably in place, we recommend focusing on carpet selections with a low profile.
Berber carpeting is a perfect example of this because the cut loop fibers are cut long enough to create a soft flooring surface but short enough that they don’t compress low enough to hinder easy walking or the movement of mobility aids. Low-profile carpeting is also a top flooring recommendation for households with pets, which can be a win-win.
4. Non-Slip Kitchen & Bathroom Tiles
We mentioned the importance of choosing smooth and hard flooring to accommodate mobility aids but that also minimizes fall risk. That’s especially important in rooms where floors are more likely to be wet or damp, like kitchens and bathrooms.
When we work with clients who want senior-friendly interior designs, we’re careful to prioritize non-slip tile selections – all of which provide the luxurious finish they’re looking for.
Visit Creative Floors To Find Senior-Friendly Flooring Options
Are you interested in creating an interior design that supports aging in place and active senior Living? Visit a Creative Floors showroom or schedule an in-home consultation. In addition to an extensive knowledge of flooring materials, our design consultants can provide expert insight on other aspects of accessible or universal design features using high-end products that provide a lifetime of functional luxury.
