Staying in the home you love is a design conversation, not a DIY medical project. The best aging in place design for Wisconsin homes starts with the floor and then looks at lighting, bathrooms, kitchens, and the paths you use every day. Use this aging in place design checklist with your FLOOR360 design team, your contractor, and, when it makes sense, an occupational therapist or accessibility specialist. Design is our Difference.
Download our Aging in Place Guide for a printable version to bring to your design appointment.
Why Does Flooring Matter Most for Aging in Place?
Your floor touches every room and every step. The right surface supports steady footing, makes edges easy to see, and helps a walker or wheelchair move smoothly from room to room. The wrong one can catch a foot or turn slippery the moment it gets wet.
What Is the Safest Flooring for Aging in Place?
- Pick firm, even, low-glare surfaces. Matte finishes cut glare so edges are easier to see. Ask for slip-resistant options in wet areas.
- Minimize thresholds. Specify flush transitions, or low-bevel transitions kept as low as possible, and avoid raised reducers in main walking paths.
- Keep rugs low and secure. Skip high-pile or thick plush rugs in walkways. Low-profile custom rugs with a secure pad and bound edges stay flat underfoot.
- Add contrast at level changes. Contrasting stair nosings and step-downs help edges read clearly.
- Choose easy-clean surfaces. Less scrubbing on hands and knees makes daily life easier.
- Plan for single-floor living when you can. Sleeping, bathing, and cooking on one level reduces stair risk.
FLOOR360 tip: Carpet isn’t automatically safer. Soft, uneven, or high-pile carpet can catch feet and slow down mobility devices. Glossy tile may look beautiful and still be too slippery when wet.
Aging in Place Bathroom Remodeling Checklist
The bathroom is where planning matters most, because water, tile, and safety all meet in one small space.
- Curbless (zero-entry) showers where the structure allows. They usually need a recessed or sloped subfloor and a linear or properly sloped drain, always with a bonded waterproofing system that extends beyond the shower area.
- Non-slip tile in the shower, and slip-resistant tile or wet-area-rated Luxury Vinyl Plank on the bathroom floor. Waterproof plank protects the surface, but seams and subfloor still need a proper install.
- Grab bars installed by your contractor into solid blocking or rated anchors, with tile and waterproofing planned around them from the start.
- Shower seating, hand showers, and controls you can reach while seated.
- Bright, layered lighting plus night lighting for late-night trips.
- A comfort-height toilet and clear transfer space. Confirm dimensions with your accessibility professional.
Aging in Place Kitchen Design Checklist
- Keep work zones within easy reach, with pull-outs instead of deep low cabinets when possible. FLOOR360 on Verona Road in Madison can also help with cabinetry. For more ideas, see our kitchen remodeling guide.
- Add task lighting under cabinets and glare-controlled overall light so labels and knife work stay clear.
- Run flooring continuously and flush with adjacent rooms, using a surface that’s wipeable and firm underfoot for long prep sessions.
- Choose lever-style faucets and easy-grip hardware, and consider cooktop controls that suit your household.
Safer Entries, Stairs, Doorways, and Halls
Wisconsin winters make entries and stairs especially important.
- Covered entries, sturdy handrails, and well-lit approaches, with outdoor paths kept even and free of trip lips.
- Handrails on both sides of stairs when feasible, contrast on treads, and secure custom stair runners if you use them.
- Wider doorways and halls for walkers and wheelchairs where remodeling allows, with lever door handles.
- A shelf or bench near the entry so your hands are free for keys and balance.
Lighting, Contrast, and Smart Home Support
- Raise overall light levels, reduce harsh glare, and add motion or night-path lighting.
- Use contrast between floors, walls, and furniture edges to help with depth perception.
- Explore smart home and medical-alert options with your family and care providers.
- Keep cords and clutter out of walkways, and plan device charging near seating.
Aging in Place Myths to Skip
- “Carpet is always safer.” Not if it’s high-pile, uneven, or hard to clean. Firm, even floors often work better.
- “Glossy tile is fine if it’s pretty.” In wet areas, slip resistance matters more than shine.
- “We’ll add grab bars later.” Plan blocking and waterproofing now so your contractor can install grab bars safely with your tile.
Aging in Place FAQ
Is Luxury Vinyl Plank good for aging in place?
It can be. Luxury Vinyl Plank is firm, even, and easy to clean, and wet-area-rated options work well on bathroom and kitchen floors. Pair it with flush transitions and a proper install, and keep tile in the shower itself.
How wide should doorways be for a walker or wheelchair?
It depends on the device and how you turn into the room. Talk with your accessibility professional or contractor before you finalize doorway and hallway widths.
Can I add a curbless shower to an existing bathroom?
Often, yes, if the structure allows a recessed or sloped subfloor and the right drain. Your designer and contractor can look at your space and plan the waterproofing before tile is chosen.
When should I start planning an aging in place remodel?
Before you need it. Planning while you’re already remodeling a kitchen, bath, or floor lets you build in blocking, flush transitions, and better lighting without tearing things out later.
Plan Your Aging in Place Remodel with FLOOR360
Our interior designers help Madison and Milwaukee homeowners choose flooring and tile that look beautiful and support safe, comfortable living for years to come. Both showrooms offer flooring, tile, and professional installation. FLOOR360 on Verona Road in Madison can also coordinate Hunter Douglas window treatments, countertops, and cabinetry when your kitchen or bath plan calls for them.
Visit FLOOR360 on Verona Road or FLOOR360 on Silver Spring Drive to meet one on one with a designer. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments are optional, but booking ahead helps us have samples ready for your project.
Download our Aging in Place Guide before your visit.
This checklist supports planning conversations with design professionals and contractors. It isn’t medical advice or a substitute for a professional home assessment.