You may want to ensure that your home is one that you’ll be happy with for the rest of your life if you have the opportunity to design it yourself. There are many different tastes and requirements, but there are some tried and tested standards you should strive for.

What is a lifetime home?

In the mid-1990s a group of housing experts formed a joint group to develop five principles for residential design. These became the Lifetime Homes Standard. The principles, which were originally based on accessibility, sustainability, affordability, and inclusivity, have been expanded to include 16 points.

Think about today and tomorrow

The client and architect must work closely together to include both current and future requirements. It can be helpful to create lists of your needs and wants, mood boards, or other visuals. This will help you communicate what you want. When you require a Monmouth Architect, visit hillsandcompany.co.uk/

Mobility and accessibility

Start planning outside of your home. You should consider where you will park and how to gain easy access to your door. Buggies and wheelchairs will find it easier to enter your home if the main entrance is well-lit with wide doors. Moving around is also easier with wide internal doors and level thresholds.

Flexibility is key to living a flexible life

Be open to the idea that spaces may change their function. What started as a living space could one day turn into a bedroom. Consider installing pocket and sliding doors to ease the transition. The larger rooms can also be useful in that they are able to be divided when needed and then reopened according to your changing needs.