Aging in Place: Remodeling Your Twin Cities Home for Long-Term Comfort

More Twin Cities homeowners are choosing to stay in the homes they love rather than move to assisted living or downsize. It's a trend called "aging in place," and it's driving a growing demand for remodeling projects that make homes safer, more accessible, and more comfortable for the long term.

The good news? Many of these modifications are straightforward, and they improve your home for everyone who lives in it, not just older adults.

Bathroom Modifications: The Highest Priority

The bathroom is where most aging-in-place remodeling begins, and for good reason. Wet surfaces, tight spaces, and awkward movements make bathrooms the most dangerous room in the house for falls.

Walk-In and Curbless Showers

Replacing a bathtub or high-threshold shower with a curbless walk-in shower is one of the most impactful changes you can make. A zero-threshold entry eliminates the need to step over a ledge, reducing fall risk significantly. These showers also look great and are a top design trend in 2026.

Grab Bars and Support Rails

Modern grab bars come in stylish finishes that blend with your bathroom design. Install them in the shower, next to the toilet, and near the tub. The key is mounting them into structural framing, not just drywall, so they can support real weight. This is a project where professional installation matters.

Comfort-Height Toilets

Standard toilets sit about 15 inches high. Comfort-height models sit at 17-19 inches, making it much easier to sit down and stand up. This is a simple swap that makes a big difference.

Non-Slip Flooring

Porcelain and ceramic tiles with textured finishes provide grip even when wet. Luxury vinyl plank with a matte texture is another excellent option. Avoid polished surfaces in bathrooms and entryways.

Handheld Showerheads with Adjustable Slide Bars

A handheld showerhead on a vertical slide bar accommodates users of different heights and allows for seated showering if needed. It's also a practical upgrade for bathing children or pets.

Kitchen Accessibility

Varied Counter Heights

Incorporating a section of lower countertop (34 inches instead of the standard 36) allows comfortable use from a seated position. This works well as a baking station or prep area for anyone.

Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Deep lower cabinets are hard to access for anyone with limited mobility. Pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and drawer-style base cabinets put everything within easy reach without bending or kneeling.

Lever-Handle Faucets and Hardware

Round knobs require grip strength that can diminish with age or arthritis. Lever-style faucet handles and D-shaped cabinet pulls are easier to operate and widely available in every style.

Task Lighting

Good under-cabinet lighting reduces eye strain and makes food prep safer. LED strip lights are inexpensive and easy to add during a kitchen remodel.

Whole-Home Considerations

Wider Doorways

Standard interior doorways are 30 inches wide. Widening them to 36 inches accommodates wheelchairs and walkers and simply makes the home feel more open. This is easiest to do during a renovation when walls are already being modified.

First-Floor Living

If your bedrooms are on the second floor, consider converting a main-level room into a bedroom suite. Adding a full bathroom and closet to a first-floor den or office creates a complete living space without stairs.

Improved Lighting Throughout

Well-lit hallways, staircases, and rooms prevent trips and falls. Motion-activated night lights in hallways and bathrooms are a small addition with a big safety impact.

Flooring Transitions

Eliminate trip hazards by ensuring smooth transitions between different flooring surfaces. Flush thresholds and consistent flooring heights throughout the home reduce the risk of catching a toe or a walker wheel.

Minnesota-Specific Considerations

Heated Bathroom Floors

Radiant floor heating keeps tile floors warm underfoot, which is both a comfort and a safety feature. Cold floors can cause muscles to tense, increasing fall risk. Electric radiant heat adds $5-$10 per square foot and is well worth the investment in a Minnesota bathroom.

Slip-Resistant Entryways

Minnesota winters mean snow, ice, and salt tracked into the house daily. Entryway flooring should be slip-resistant and durable. Textured tile or commercial-grade LVP handles moisture and grit without becoming slippery.

Attached Garage Access

If your home has an attached garage, ensuring that the entry from the garage is step-free and well-lit eliminates one of the most common trip points in Minnesota homes.

Planning Ahead

You don't have to do everything at once. Many homeowners start with a bathroom remodel and add accessibility features gradually. The best time to plan for aging in place is during a remodel you're already doing. Adding grab bar blocking behind the walls, widening a doorway, or choosing a curbless shower costs very little extra when the room is already under construction.

Thinking about making your home work for you long-term? Contact Anderson Home Improvement for a free consultation. We'll help you plan modifications that make sense for your home and your future.