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How to Make a One-Bedroom Senior Apartment Work for You

A senior couple lay on the floor, surrounded by moving boxes, daydreaming about their new place

The story of Goldilocks is a lot like the journey of home ownership. Starting out with a growing family, your first house can begin to feel too small prompting you to move to a larger one. Then after your kids grow up and start lives of their own, your house can feel too big. So, how do you find a living space that’s just right for this new chapter of your life?

One option many older adults are starting to consider is a one-bedroom apartment at an independent living community like Freedom Square Seminole. If you’re thinking a one-bedroom senior apartment seems too small, consider that it’s really what’s around your residence that makes all the difference. This blog post will show you how choosing the right senior living community for you can make smaller feel just right.

The Benefits of Thinking Small

If you’re still on the fence about downsizing, it’s important to consider how much space you’re currently using and how it’s being used. If you’re only using certain parts your house, then it might be time to match your current lifestyle with your living space. Benefits of rightsizing your life to the perfect amount of space at an independent living community include:

  • Reduced stress: Moving into a smaller home can help eliminate clutter and being organized will simplify your life. Plus, through the process of downsizing, you’ll be able to free yourself from outdated electronics, old furniture and other items you don’t need or use.
  • Greater accessibility: A home that may have fit you perfectly when you first bought it can become more challenging as the years pass. While you can update your home to accommodate your changing needs, it can be quite expensive. Downsizing to a senior apartment that’s specifically designed for older adults will give you the opportunity to choose a home with greater safety accessibility features.
  • Less maintenance: A big living space can become difficult to clean and maintain. A senior living community can handle any needed repairs to appliances, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical. Most communities also offer dining, housekeeping and flat linen service.
  • More socializing: Once all the inside and outside maintenance is taken care of, you’ll have more time to pursue your interests. A Life Plan Community like Freedom Square of Seminole has a calendar full of events including art and fitness classes, clubs, resident committees and social gatherings.
  • More you time: Whenever you want a little alone time, enjoy a walk on our 15 acres of certified wildlife habitat, sit in one of our plush armchairs and read a book from our library, or grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the view from our patio.

Small Space Decorating Ideas

As you consider various senior living floor plans, here are some tips on maximizing a one-bedroom apartment to help ensure you get the most out of it:

  • Let there be light: Remember to open your blinds regularly and keep the area around your windows clear to allow in as much light as possible. Bringing sunlight into a smaller space can also make a room feel larger.
  • Add color: Adding a warm color with pillows, furniture, or rugs can help create a cozy You can also experiment with shades of neutral, earthy tones to make rooms feel more grounded.
  • A bright idea: Rather than having just one central light in each room, add floor and table lamps so you have various light sources. If your blinds are a dark color, replace them with a lighter color to draw in natural light. Painting an entire room in one light color will also help brighten it up.
  • Be reflective: Consider placing mirrors in spots where they’ll reflect natural or artificial light. Adding a mirror across from a window can also help the room feel larger and appear more open.
  • Create distinct areas: In the living room, you can have the main seating area where you can entertain friends and family members. You can also add a smaller reading area in one corner with a plant with a small side table and a comfortable chair.
  • Think on the curve: Round shapes can trick the eye and make smaller spaces feel bigger. Consider using a round dining table or a sofa and chair set with a round coffee table.
  • Downsize your furniture: Smaller spaces call for smaller pieces of furniture. Choosing a smaller piece of furniture might mean it can fit in a corner and free up floor space. This will also make your apartment feel more open and inviting.
  • Choose multipurpose furniture: To maximize your living space, consider furniture with more than one purpose like a hollow ottoman that can be used for storage, a platform bed that has storage drawers underneath, or a headboard with shelves. You can also get a dining table with a built-in leaf that will make it much easier to entertain guests.
  • Go up: Use your wall space. Consider mounting your TV on the wall or installing floating bookshelves to help declutter. Moving items off surfaces and onto walls can make your space feel bigger.
  • Declutter often: It’s only natural to accumulate clutter after living in the same place for a while. Once or twice a year, try to go through your possessions and reevaluate what should be kept. You’ll be surprised how many items you no longer use and how much larger your home looks once you’ve gotten rid of them.
  • Just the essentials: Having too much furniture will cramp the space. A bed, seating and a small dining table are the only major pieces of furniture necessary for moving into a one-bedroom.

Live Large at Freedom Square

At Freedom Square of Seminole, we’re sure to have a floor plan to fit your lifestyle and budget. To learn more your senior living options and to see how big life can be in one of our one-bedroom apartment homes, contact us here.