Lasting Impressions Home Remodeling Center, LTD
As Printed In The Suburban Journels Of North County
"The New Fifty"
April 20, 2005
PHONE: (314) 837-7722 FAX (314) 837-0655
2168 N. Waterford; Florissant, Missouri 63033
The Maturing Market
Part II
“Facing Changes”
In my last article, we addressed clutter and how dealing with it is the first and least expensive step you can take in making your home safer and easier to navigate for persons with limited mobility. I hope by now you have de-cluttered your walkways and living space and are finding it easier and safer to get around your home.
Although de-cluttering is the first step in making your home more accommodating to your changed needs, it won't alone entirely accomplish your goal. As you have undoubtedly discovered, your walker or wheelchair doesn't fit through doorways as easily as you did.
Fortunately, there is a relatively simple solution available to help you. There are special hinges you can buy to replace the standard hinges on your existing interior doors. These hinges are call "swing clear" hinges and they move the door past the jamb and off to the side, giving you a little more room to navigate! These are a great solution if your existing door frame is 32 inches or larger. No major remodeling needed so far!
If, however, you find yourself in a wheelchair or have smaller doorways, swing clear hinges won't work. In that case, a great solution for doorways is to convert hinged doors to pocket doors. Although this solution requires that you have a 2 x 4 framed wall and will involve some construction, the end result is well worth it. It gets that door out of your way!
If you live alone, you can just totally remove the door and store it in the basement for future use. If privacy is needed, drape a curtain over the doorway and hold it back with a swag when the room is unoccupied. Or, if you enjoy retro, the beaded doorway is a possibility. Who said you can't relive your past?
Now that you can get into all your rooms, go back to Phase I and begin to de-clutter your rooms. Remember, less really is more. You'll spend les time dusting, you'll find you have more energy, you won't be embarrassed to have friends over and you'll find joy in sharing. It's like throwing open a window and taking a deep breath of spring air on a beautiful sunny day. Believe it or not, what you are doing by de-cluttering is a part of 'Feng Shui'. Now you are really getting with the times!
We still need to address your kitchen and bathroom, but we'll do that in my next article. Those two rooms generally require minor or major alterations, depending on the physical challenge you face.
Until then, keep the Chi (that means 'positive energy') flowing and let the sun shine in!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to call me at 314-837-7722.
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