As we enter the last weeks of summer in the Chattanooga area, many residents are preparing to say goodbye to their adult children, who are moving out of the house and starting the next chapter in their lives. While you may be excited about this new phase, you’re still faced with lots of questions about your empty nest. If you’ve made the decision to stay in your home – at least for now – it’s time to figure out how your house can work better for you in this the next chapter of your life.
Focus on small DIY jobs: With the kids out of the house, you might be surprised at how much free time you have. Use this time to tackle some of those home renovation jobs that have been on your to-do list for a while. Look at each room with a fresh eye to determine how you want to use each of the rooms to fit your new lifestyle. Perhaps the mudroom is no longer needed, but a craft room has always been on your wish list. Now you can focus on making those changes.
Create a home office: Home offices are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity with more people telecommuting or running their own businesses from their house. An extra bedroom or den previously used for family activities would be a great place to turn into a home office.
Expand your space: Depending on the age of your home, you might find that your master bedroom or bath is too small for comfort. Expand into space that isn’t being used to build the master bath of your dreams or to create a separate seating or dressing area in your bedroom.
Building professionals who have earned the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation have received training on how to build or renovate a home so that the occupants can live in the home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of their age or ability level.
For more information on remodeling your empty nest, or to find professional remodelers, contact Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at info@HBAGC.net or visit nahb.org/remodelerdirectory.