Do you have older parents who are moving into your home? Or perhaps you are looking to downsize to retirement living yourself? Either way, there are plenty of décor considerations and inspiration starts here…

Recently, a local retirement home came to the design team at Stoney Creek Furniture to create a multi-purpose studio room that was practical and functional – but still warm and welcoming. We were so pleased with the room, we thought we’d share some pictures as well as some lessons learned.

THE ROOM

Décor Choices. Our designers wanted to give this room a feminine touch, so they chose soft blue, grey and cream tones. The result is unified, warm and wonderfully easy to live in. The room has a rustic edge which is on trend, but the overall feeling is still charming, cozy and classic.

Furnishings. The Weatherford collection was the choice for the dresser and side tables – very solid yet very pretty, featuring a neutral washed corn silk finish. There is a slight antique and rustic look to the accessories to bring out the beautiful characteristic of the furniture. An adjustable bed from Serta (paired with an on-trend upholstered headboard) and an IMG lift chair focus on accessible living without sacrificing good looks. A pouf tucked off to the side makes an impromptu seat for kids!

TIPS & IDEAS

When you’re decorating a multi-purpose space, for retirement or for any age, these tips will help make it fresh and functional:

• Small on size, big on style. With so many people adhering to the ‘less is more’ philosophy, there are lots of downsized apartment and condo furnishings available today including sofas, side chairs, tables, etc. It makes it easy to decorate a space to scale rather than overwhelming it with pieces that are too large.
• Go tactile. Every space should be filled with items that both look good and feel good. Don’t overlook texture when decorating a smaller space. Consider a shag rug, a nubby throw, a leather sofa and distressed wood tables for example.
• Fill it with love. A retirement room, even in a facility, should still be filled with cherished things. It will make both the resident and guests feel good to see memories, hobbies and collectibles displayed.
• Add colour. Don’t feel the room has to be beige and grey to be practical! Celebrate jewel tones, try navy as a neutral, add exciting hints of aqua or coral, even go chic with a little black.
• Display nature. Whether it’s a small bouquet of flowers, a tropical plant or a grouping of greenery, bringing natural elements into any room adds instant appeal and beauty.
• Keep it cozy. A multi-purpose space often needs to be both a bedroom and living room, so make sure it’s always inviting. Add throws or cushions to the chairs, put down a rug, display wall hangings that are warm and cheerful. Antique and rustic elements (like we used in the featured display) are informal, yet still polished.

Tags: decor, design tips, Furniture, how to, retirement living