Multiple studies over the decades have proven that a well-designed, well-decorated home can improve its occupants’ well-being. Feeling comfortable in a space that you created can reduce stress, boost energy, and provide a sense of accomplishment and familiarity.
At Bethesda, we recognize that how you decorate your new home is as important as the move itself. That’s why we not only encourage residents to customize their apartments, but also offer extensive support to make their interior design dreams a reality.
We have a few guidelines for the structural modifications you can make to a senior living apartment, but beyond those guidelines, the sky’s the limit. Here are some suggestions and additional information for customizing your Bethesda apartment.
Ideas for Decorating Your Bethesda Senior Living Apartment
Every Bethesda independent living resident brings their own style, taste, and preferences to their new home. There’s no right or wrong way to decorate your apartment, but if you have lived in your current home for a long time, you might not be sure where to begin. Some ideas to get you started:
- Functional furniture: Bigger pieces, such as a sectional couch or a large dining table, could make your new apartment feel cramped. Consider cozier furniture—more suited for apartments—that emphasizes comfort and allows you to easily move about.
- Light colors: At Bethesda, we allow residents to customize the color of their walls and ceilings. Your taste and preferences are a big factor in what paint color you choose, but you can never go wrong with lighter colors. White, yellow, light blue, or beige can make your apartment feel brighter and more spacious. Darker furniture can create a sharp contrast that makes elements of your apartment stand out even more.
- Sneaky storage: Bookshelves, storage ottomans, entertainment centers, and chests are more than just furniture—they allow you to store things (including books, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and photo albums) and minimize clutter.
- Window treatments: Natural sunlight not only brightens your apartment but also brightens your mood. Whether you opt for blinds or curtains, choose a window treatment that lets the sunshine in—and can be adjusted if it gets too bright.
- Practical considerations: As much as you want to make your Bethesda apartment your own, you also want to be safe in your new space. This might include secure rugs or slip-resistant flooring, clear paths around the apartment (especially from the bedroom to the bathroom), and furniture that’s easy to sit into and stand up from.
Ideas for Personalizing Your Bethesda Senior Living Apartment
Besides decorating your new apartment as you choose, you can also personalize your space. Some of the personal touches we encourage include:
- Sentimental items: A fresh start in your new home shouldn’t mean giving up keepsakes and items that hold sentimental value. That old rocking chair or that vintage framed photograph may have a story behind it, so don’t be shy about including such things in your apartment.
- Pictures, pictures, pictures: Proudly display photos of your family throughout your new apartment. Whether your pictures are hanging on the walls or residing on a table, framed photos not only remind you of your loved ones, but also draw the eyes of visitors, opening up opportunities for conversation. The move can also provide an opportunity to build new photo collage frames, giving your apartment a fresh look through familiar faces.
- Artwork: The artwork you hang on your walls reflects your aesthetic and can be calming, inspirational, sentimental, or even functional. Our team can help you mount your artwork—as well as photos and televisions—so that all you need to worry about is what to hang and where.
Bethesda’s Moving with Ease Program
At Bethesda, we mean it when we say we’re here to help with your move to one of our senior living apartments. Our Moving with Ease program provides future residents with up to $3,000 of moving assistance when they reserve a Bethesda apartment. This program also provides a team of specialists to help decorate your new home, including selecting furniture, maximizing space, and arranging your belongings to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
All this support and service is just part of what makes Bethesda’s independent living communities so special. Schedule a tour to see for yourself!
