Fit Your Personal Needs

• You will need to evaluate your lifestyle. Upon retirement, you may want to spend time at home with grandchildren, for example. Your home will need to have bedrooms and living space to accommodate a big family. On the other hand, you may plan to travel a lot to visit grandchildren in other states. In this case, the house might need to be a simple two-bedroom, two-bath home for you and your spouse. Investigate building near a golf course or in a retirement village with great amenities, too.
  
  

Strive for Simple Upkeep

• Think about how to build a low-maintenance house. Keep the porches, patios and decks simple, for example. Design a kitchen for fast cooking and cleanup. Envision a simple yard that will require little time for mowing or trimming. You will want to build adequate storage in every room, so that housework will be faster. For example, install a wall unit in the living room for media equipment and books.
  
  

Keep Exterior Maintenance Low

• Build a maintenance-free exterior. You can use high-quality siding, some brick and stacked stone, for example. Consult with an expert at a home improvement store to learn about the best windows, guttering and exterior doors for looking good for years with no upgrades. Install pebbles and mulch in large areas of the yard to do away with excessive yard work. Do construct a large carport near the back door, so that driving up to unload groceries is simple. You may not need a full-scale garage.
  
  

Build a Quality Interior

• Design a pleasant interior space in all rooms. You will spend more time inside the house as you get older. Having large, energy-efficient windows that look out on a pleasant view is important -- even if it's simply a nice backyard setting. Purchase high-quality furniture that you will enjoy for many years, too. These durable sofas, chairs and bedroom pieces give the home a very upscale look.
  
  

Create Open Space

• An open floor plan will give the interior a warm feeling. Open a wall between the kitchen and living room, for example. Create a foyer at the main front door that leads directly into the living room. Plan the home to easily accommodate foot traffic, so it won't seem crowded.
  
  

Install Senior Conveniences

• Use hardwood flooring versus tile in most areas. As you get older, it's safer to take a fall on hardwood rather than hard tile flooring. Install sturdy handrails, wide shower doors and a security system that will benefit you as you grow older.