According to a recent survey, 95% of Americans who are 55 and up want to grow old in their homes. That means making some changes to their current houses to make their lives safer and easier. These alterations include storage-related adaptations, like adding lower shelving and clearing the clutter.

If you’re like most older Americans or your parents are, read on for ways to organize your home for the future.

Declutter

Clutter often equals chaos, and chaos can be confusing for anyone, but especially for people who might not remember as well as they used to. It also can create tripping hazards. So, straightening up is the first step to making a house safer for older adults.

Create a dropzone by the entrance to allow enough space for walkers and wheelchairs or simply to avoid tripping.

Papers: File away paperwork and throw out junk mail. Have a system for bills and other papers that need attention.

Entryway: Keep the area inside the door clear of shoes, bags and other items that could cause challenges for people who have trouble walking or seeing.

A cube organizer placed against a wall next to the door can serve as convenient storage for anything from umbrellas to keys. If you don’t have a coat closet, hang hooks on the wall to hold jackets and scarves. Your goal should be to ensure nothing ends up on the floor.

Install Intentional Storage

Think about how you might access your clothing, toiletries or kitchen items if you could no longer stand or stretch your arms safely. That will help you plan where your most-used objects should go.

In the bedroom closets, hang a lower rod no more than 30 inches above the floor. Use this rod for your favorite clothing so that you don’t have to ask for help or risk falling when you’re getting dressed.

Open shelving and glass doors not only look aesthetically pleasing but they also let you see what’s there at a glance. Now you won’t have to hunt through drawers to find anything.

If you do want to have drawers in your closet system, they should be at least eight inches off the floor but no higher than 33 inches.

For more closet layout guidance, hire one of our professional designers. They’ll create detailed plans for your project for a low fee.

In the bathroom and the kitchen, determine what your daily necessities are. Once you know that, you can decide what type of organization tools will do the best job.

Stop reaching into the back of your linen closet by adding a packet pal to one of the lower shelves .

Wall and door racks are a great solution for smaller items. You can use them in a variety of areas – on a wall or the back of a door, even inside a cabinet – and you can place them at a height that suits your needs.

Remember, however you arrange your storage, you want it to make your life safer and easier.

Maximize Spaces

In the future, you might have to use a wheelchair or a walker to move around your house. So, opening up your floor space will be imperative.

Clear out any furniture you rarely use, like side tables, and consider downsizing your sofa to a love seat.

An entertainment center that fits inside an existing nook leaves more floor space in a living room.

You should also look for ways to incorporate storage that don’t take up a lot of square footage. Built-in cabinets and hanging shelves are a couple of options, depending on what you want to display.

With thoughtful planning ahead, you can live safely, comfortably and well-organized in your own home as you age.