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Baby Boomer House Plans

By: Marc Mathis
2009-12-30 21:31:00

Baby Boomers (people born between the years of 1946 and 1964) make up a huge sector of the population when it comes to home buyers and those who are looking to build a home. After all, Baby Boomers do make up nearly half of the work force and control the most income in the entire country. Some Boomers are getting ready for retirement or are retired, while others are looking towards retirement within the next decade or so. Most Baby Boomer inspired house plans have a huge master bedroom suite, flexible living spaces and floor plans, and bonus rooms that are perfect for those with empty nests. And because Baby Boomers are often charged with caring for their elderly parents, these home additions are ideal in the "here and now" as well as in the not-so-far-away future. Let's look at the features of a Baby Boomer house plan that you should consider in order to get more comfort out of your home.

- No step entryway. Even if you are completely healthy and able to climb up a few steps to get into your home now, you want a home that allows for the future possibility that you might not be able to traverse steps like before.

- One story living space. While some well-to-do baby boomers go for chair lifts and elevators (very costly), the typical Baby Boomer plan will feature one story living with a large number of square foot options, features, floor plans, styles and benefits for being comfortable at home. By using one story space efficiently, you will have as much room as a two story home (with the added advantage of costing you less).

- Wide hallways and doorways allow you to get through the home easily, even as you grow older and may need to use a walker or wheelchair. Modifying the size of your entryways, hallways, doorways, etc., for any house plan is not that much of an expense and most contractors can easily accommodate that request.

- Open floor spaces allow you to easily change your room layout without any problems.

- Look for flooring in the bathroom that is non-slip and safe for you as you grow older. The same goes for the bathtub. Consider a bathtub that is easy to get into and out of. Many people invest in a walk-in bathtub at this point in their lives, which is a bit more expensive but well worth it.

- Thresholds are designed to avoid tripping, slips and falls.

- Light fixtures that are placed optimally throughout the home are important, especially in areas where natural light is at a minimum, like basements and stairwells. Energy efficient lighting is important to, not just to save money on energy costs, but also so that you don't need to change your light bulbs as often.

- Lever door handles and sliding doors provide for easiest entry, even as we age.

- A highly functional kitchen that features cabinetry that is not too far of a reach is important to the Baby Boomer generation and should be incorporated into the design of your home and your house plans.

About the Author:

Mark Mathis runs the popular House Plan Gallery house plans design firm specializing in the development of unique small house plans with flexible floor plan layouts and all the most-popular home design features. Shop online today!

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