Tips for furnishing and decorating your retirement rental

Once you've found the retirement rental that's right for you, the next step is to furnish it. If you need to buy new furniture to suit your new space, it's important that you choose pieces that will suit your changing needs. The CSi Property Group walks you through every consideration that goes into finding the right furniture for your senior years, from support and comfort to safety and your budget. Having the right furniture will help you live comfortably and stay safe.

Furniture that offers the right support

The unfortunate reality is that as we age, discomfort can become part of life. Sitting in a supportive armchair can make a world of difference if you're experiencing joint pain, as it offers support for both arms and your back. If you're starting to experience aches and pains, a good chair is likely to suit your needs better than a couch.

When you're walking between rooms, you may start to notice that you lean on pieces of furniture to help you maintain your balance. For this reason, any piece of furniture that you buy for your retirement rental should be extremely strong and sturdy. Invest in pieces of furniture that offer the required support and will last the test of time.

Comfort is king

You've worked hard your entire adult life in order to enjoy your retirement. You deserve furniture that's both practical and comfortable. Avoid buying furniture online, and take the time to test out furniture in shops and showrooms if possible to find pieces that are both supportive and comfortable. One of the important things to check when choosing a chair is whether it's the right height for you. When you're sitting, your thighs should be parallel to the ground, with your feet resting comfortably on the floor. Your chair should also offer great support for your back and neck.

Things to think about when decorating

Over and above being comfortable, your environment needs to be as safe as possible. Choose scatter rugs carefully, and ensure that they are of high enough quality that they do not slip at all when placed on your floors. If you have heavy ornaments, ensure that they are kept far from the edge of surfaces where they could accidentally be knocked off. Depending on your space, it may be better to hang photo frames on walls than to have framed pictures resting on surfaces.

Watch the budget

One of the big advantages of starting the process of furnishing your retirement rental early is that you have the time to buy appropriate furnishings one at a time, so as not to place any strain on your finances. Start with the items you need most, and keep an eye on furniture sales to kit out your home over time so that it meets all your needs.

Choosing fabrics

The last thing you want to spend your retirement on is cleaning, so it's important to choose fabrics that are as easy to clean as possible. Find fabric that's stain-resistant, and stay away from colours like white and cream. Grey, beige or light brown fabrics are far easier to care for. Consider machine-washable fabric covers for chairs that are used every day.

4 quick tips for choosing the right furniture for your retirement years

• Protect yourself by choosing round tables without any sharp corners or edges.
• Stay away from glass surfaces and anything that can easily be broken.
• Choose standard-sized chairs over couches because of the armrest support.
• Choose furniture in colours that provide a contrast with the walls. This will help with any vision issues which may occur as you get older.

Before you can start looking for the right furniture, you need to find the right retirement rental. The CSi Property Group is an ideal real estate partner for anyone looking for a retirement home in Gauteng. Contact us for more information.