What Would Boomers Do To Their Homes As They Approach Senior Lifestage?

Assume that you could afford to do whatever you wanted to your home as you age. Is there anything you would do to make it easier to live in, or obtain something you just always wanted to have? Would you elect the practical or the luxurious?

In a recent study of American homeowners 35 and older conducted for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), researchers found that 40 percent would do nothing to their homes. The others were fairly divided between adding luxury appointments such as a jacuzzi or hot tub (15 percent) and being practical, including updating appliances (14 percent), adding a room (11 percent) and remodeling (10 percent).

"Whether or not the changing economy will affect expenditures remains to be seen," said interior designer Michael Thomas, ASID, with The Design Collective Group in Jupiter, Fla. However, he expects continued strong demand by the sheer numbers of baby boomers - those born between 1946 and 1964 - reaching their mature lifestage.

"Seventy-seven percent of those queried in the ASID study said they were likely to age where they now live and many will be making changes to make living there more enjoyable," he said.

The research was sponsored by ASID, California Closets, Dupont Zodiaq®, Sub-Zero and York Wallcoverings. It was conducted from December 2000 through February 2001 by L.C. Williams & Associates (LCWA), an independent research firm based in Chicago.

Michael Thomas, ASID, and Peggy Arbaugh, ASID, are available to conduct interviews or present the "Aging in Place: Aging and the Impact of Interior Design" research.