Aging In Place (AIP) Principles - Easy Maintenance
The Role of Easy Maintenance in Promoting Long-Term Independence and Comfort for Aging in Place
This graphic compares features found in a typical kitchen to easier-to-maintain alternatives.
Maintaining a home and managing the associated costs are unavoidable aspects of home ownership. Material and construction technique choices made early on can greatly alleviate many long-term costs, though they may seem daunting at first.
By focusing on easy maintenance, we can create homes that support long-term independence, functionality, and comfort, central to the principles of Aging in Place. A home that is easy to maintain ensures that residents can live comfortably and safely for longer periods without the constant need for costly repairs or laborious cleaning efforts.
Maintenance and its associated costs can be significant burdens for homeowners, especially for those in lower-income brackets. According to Improving America’s Housing - 2021 (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University):
“Their ability to maintain their typically older, more affordable homes is critical not only for their own well-being but also for the preservation of the aging housing stock. If the finances of these households do not improve quickly enough to cover back mortgage payments as well as deferred maintenance, the already large disparity in housing conditions between lowest- and highest-income households will only increase.”
Easy maintenance principles woven in from the beginning help mitigate these disparities by ensuring that homes remain functional and safe with minimal upkeep costs.
Moreover, homes designed with easy maintenance in mind often incorporate features that are adaptable to the changing needs of their residents. This adaptability is crucial for aging in place, as it allows for modifications to be made easily and cost-effectively as needs evolve. Features such as durable materials, efficient layouts, and accessible design elements all contribute to a home that supports long-term independence and quality of life.
Precedent Projects
The Framehouse in London by Architect Marcus Lee
Marcus Lee designed this residence as his family home. Many features that make it striking also make it easy to clean and maintain. The flooring throughout the first floor is dark tile, making it easy to sweep and mop, as well as durable and stain-resistant. The wood used to build the home (Siberian Larch & Red Cedar) is highly durable and sustainable, reducing long-term replacement and maintenance needs.
The kitchen is also a prime example of low-maintenance design. With stainless steel cabinets and countertops by the sink, the kitchen is easy to clean, resistant to heat, water, and bacteria, highly durable, and serves as a non-porous prep area that is easy to sanitize. Additionally, the orange countertop is designed with minimal protrusions and gaps, making it easy to keep clear and clean throughout the day.
Other features of this house that lend themselves to aging in place include the absence of interior load-bearing walls, allowing for easy reconfiguration to meet changing family needs. Additionally, there is a bathroom and workroom on the first floor that could be used if residents could no longer go up a flight of stairs. However, one of the biggest drawbacks to the long-term accessibility of the home is the presence of small steps on the first floor, making it less viable for people with limited mobility.
Photography From The Modern House
Photography From The Modern House
Chef Daniel Boulud’s Kitchen by Stephanie Goto
Designed as a personal kitchen for professional chef Daniel Boulud, the architect Stephanie Goto incorporated strategies from commercial kitchen design into this residential space. Features that make this space easy to maintain include stainless steel cabinets and Caesarstone countertops, known for their ease of maintenance, non-absorbency, and durability. Boulud also selected an induction stovetop, which is easier to clean than electric or gas alternatives. Additionally, he chose a Dada triple-bowl sink with cutting boards and drain boards that slide on tracks, making it not just easy to wipe down but versatile and adaptable to different uses.
Boulud had some suggestions for kitchen design that he shared in his Elle Decor interview including:
Shallow cabinets
“Pullouts, lazy Susans, and specialized drawer fittings for optimum efficiency and organization”
Places to stash away small countertop appliances
Photography by Max Kim for Elle Decor
Photography by Max Kim for Elle Decor
Photography by Max Kim for Elle Decor
Mid Century Glourie by Alexandra Killion Interiors
This bathroom is an excellent example of achieving high levels of accessibility and easy maintenance without compromising on beauty. The vanity/sink is raised off the ground, making it easy to clean underneath. The sinks are under-mounted, so water and grime do not gather at the edges of the countertop opening. The dedicated area for the shower and tub functions as a “wet bath,” making it fully waterproofed and easy to clean. There is ample space for a chair or seating surface in the shower, and the opening to the “wet bath” area is wide enough to allow a wheelchair. All of this makes the space not just easy to maintain but accessible and flexible as well.
Photography from Alexandra Killion Interiors
Photography from Alexandra Killion Interiors
Photography from Alexandra Killion Interiors