Retirees are looking for a more relaxed lifestyle, but they also want to stay connected and have some sort of purpose in their lives. In the past some have wanted to get away from it all. Retirees would move to the country and live in a cabin. They wanted to enjoy nature and have time for themselves. However, this is not what modern retirees want anymore. They want to be able to stay connected with their family and friends and have some kind of purpose in life.
The design industry is always changing and evolving. There are always new trends that come in and old trends that fade out. Interior design for retirees is no exception to this rule. While the trends may change, the principles of what makes a good living space remain largely the same.
FORGET NET CURTAINS, LACE DOILIES, GARDEN GNOMES AND CHINA FIGURINES, MODERN RETIREES WANT HOUSEPLANTS, HOME GYMS, SMART SPEAKERS AND EV CHARGING POINTS, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH
A new study of Brits aged 65 plus has revealed a list of interior trends for retirees, that are IN and the ones that are well and truly OUT.
The study, by leading developer of retirement communities, McCarthy Stone, found that today’s over 65s are after top spec home security systems (a must for 50 percent), electric vehicle charging points (44 percent), Alexa (41 percent) and hive heating (29 percent).
Over 65s also want walk-in wardrobes (54 percent), wet rooms (53 percent), kitchen islands (48 percent), wine fridges (35 percent) and modern art on the walls (19 percent).
On the flip side, as many as 78 percent said fluffy toilet seat covers were old-hat, while 74 percent cannot stand avocado bathrooms suites, and 56 percent would rather have a fashionable blind than a net curtain on their window.
When it comes to tableware, 67 percent wouldn’t dream of using doilies, 58 percent would never lay out a lace tablecloth, and 70 percent wouldn’t be seen dead using a tea cosy.
And it’s also becoming increasingly unlikely that older Britons will have cheeky gnome statues adorning their gardens (53 percent), patterned carpets in their rooms (51 percent) and pebbledash walls on the outside of their homes (50 percent).
Forget upholstered floral print furniture – 35 percent of those polled want a home full of houseplants (35 percent), hanging pendant lights (18 percent), and a minimalist kitchen (28 percent).
While 12 percent would like on-trend industrial fixtures and fittings, 9 percent a home gym, and a further 9 percent a yoga practice area.
Stan Smolyar, Head of Brand for McCarthy Stone, which conducted the research said: “This research shows how today’s over 65s are favouring stylish home environments they can tailor to their modern and vibrant lifestyles.
“McCarthy Stone apartments offer plenty of sophisticated design features from spacious open plan living and minimalist kitchens, to walk in wardrobes and wet rooms, and are the perfect canvas to add their own unique style and personality, however they choose. Our research also shows the importance of location and with our unique settings, positioned close to local high streets, whatever our homeowners are into there’s something for everyone right on the doorstep.”
The study also found that the over-65s are NOT fans of flowery and patterned wallpaper (47 percent), traditional china figurines (47 percent) and shag pile carpets (43 percent).
They are also saying goodbye to flowery bed covers (39 percent), lavender soap (38 percent), and talcum powder (36 percent).
So it’s no surprise that almost HALF (45 percent) of Brits aged 65 and over agree that it’s a complete misconception that older people are less stylish than younger generations.
In fact 59 percent of today’s over 65s think that when it comes to interiors and fashion, older Brits are able to put their own stamp on things and don’t follow the crowd, while 58 percent say they avoid short lived trends and instead stick to classic, timeless styles instead.
One in two (51 percent) even say they have more self-confidence in their style than younger people do.
And when it comes to seeking inspiration for fashion and interiors, almost a fifth (17 percent) of older Britons look to social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest.
The research also revealed that today’s over 65s are all about location, location, location, and would like to live close to parks and green spaces (74 percent), good restaurants (68 percent) and farmers’ markets (57 percent).
53 percent want to be near a good coffee house, 53 percent are after an independent greengrocer and four in ten (42 percent) would like to be a stone’s throw away from an artisan bakery.
Case studies
A fan of modern design, John Pritchard, a homeowner at McCarthy Stone’s Blyton House who is an active member of several organisations and does charity work in his spare time, made sure he put his own contemporary stamp on his apartment:
“I wanted my apartment to reflect my character”, says John. “Although I’m not necessarily one for bright and bold, I’ve brought my own style into the design using complementary colours, chrome touches and modern furniture. I took inspiration from brochures, magazines and showrooms initially for how I wanted it to look and feel. There are lots of grey tones and slivers throughout too -some may label it as a ‘man cave’ but that suits me!
“I’m an organised, yet social person with a large social circle so am always having guests over for a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and a natter, so it’s important that they feel at home and relaxed too. I also turned my second bedroom into a study. It has the same modern feel as the rest of the apartment, but is very much my ‘workspace’. When I’ve finished my work, I like to be able to close the door and instantly step into relax mode!”
John and Geraldine Harrison enlisted the help of Emma Valerio, a Designer for John Lewis which offers a free, in-store home design service, to help them make their mark on their new McCarthy Stone apartment at Farnham House.
Geraldine explains: “I’m all about bright, bold colours, whether it comes to my clothes, home design or picking out artwork. Cobalt blue is my absolute favourite, but I also love oranges, reds and yellows – the brighter the better! We have a wonderful orange armchair which takes centre stage in our living room and looks amazing with the navy-blue sofas. It all really stands out against the backdrop. I also love to cook so Emma suggested we extend the worktop of our new kitchen and include some floating shelves for storage. It not only looks brilliant, but I have even more workspace than before which is wonderful. We love to entertain too so our extending glass dining table, and of course, our glass gin cabinet are our most important pieces!”
THE MOST OUTDATED INTERIORS ACCORDING TO BRITISH OVER 65’S
- Fluffy toilet seat covers 78%
- Avocado bathrooms 74%
- Tea cosies 70%
- Doilies 67%
- Lace tablecloths 58%
- Net curtains 56%
- Fake flowers or fruit bowls 56%
- Garden gnomes 53%
- Patterned carpets 51%
- Pebbledash walls 50%
- Flowery or patterned wallpaper 47%
- China figurines 47%
- Shag pile carpets 43%
- Flowery bed carpets 39%
- Lavender soap 38%
- Talcum powder 36%
- Water beds 36%
- Bath salts 34%
- Pot pourri 34%
- Grandfather clocks 33%
- Glass block walls 32%
- Toast racks 31%
- Magnolia paint 30%
- Satin bed sheets 29%
- Teapots 28%
- Bidets 22%
- Wicker furniture 22%
- Showers over baths 18%
- Biscuit tins 18%
- Pine or oak furniture 14%
THE INTERIORS THAT BRITISH OVER 65’S WANT IN THEIR HOMES TODAY
- Walk in wardrobes 54%
- A wet room shower 53%
- Home security 50%
- Kitchen island 48%
- Electric vehicle charging point 44%
- Alexa 41%
- Smart speakers 38%
- Netflix 37%
- Open plan spaces 37%
- Wine fridge or rack 35%
- House plants 35%
- Scented candles 31%
- Herb garden 31%
- Hive heating 29%
- Free standing bath 29%
- Minimalist kitchen 28%
- Modern art 19%
- Porcelain tiled floors 19%
- Wooden shutters 19%
- Sliding doors 18%
- Separate live and work spaces 16%
- Hanging pendant lights 15%
- Hanging plants 15%
- Reading nook 14%
- Industrial fittings 12%
- Living wall 11%
- Cocktail trolleys 10%
- A home gym 9%
- Yoga practice area 9%
- Rattan furniture 8%
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