The empty-nester’s guide to home improvements

You know what it’s like when you own a home. You start your journey with so many grand plans, and then before you know it, you’ve managed some but others have passed you by. You’ve started your family and watched your children grow up and, while they have long since flown the nest, you look around still seeing the little quirks and tweaks you wanted to add to your home.

But isn’t that what retirement is for? After all, you now have the time to enjoy the home you’ve built over the years. Now that you have the house to yourself, why not make it the home you always wanted?

Here are a few big and small changes you might want to help make your retirement years more comfortable.

Home renovations

General wear and tear and a wish to freshen up the decor may drive you to look at renovating a room or two at home.

If your bathroom could do with an update, you might think about fitting a new walk in shower. Upgrade your lights to create a relaxing atmosphere when you soak in the bath.

Update the outside of your home

If you’re thinking of updating the decor of your interior, your exterior could do with a little TLC too. A fresh lick of paint, repaved driveway or repairs to your roof and cladding could add years of life and value to your house.

You could also look at changing the landscape of your garden, adding new features, pathways or decking to make the most of your own private landscape.

Convert the spare room

Space that might once have been home to all types of toys, games and clutter could now be sitting and waiting to be turned into a space just for you.

Your child’s old bedroom could be converted into an office, dining room or simply a space for you to chill out and read. Dust off the cobwebs and apply a new lick of paint.

Modifications for the future

While you’re thinking about your present, it’s also smart to think about the long-term. If you want to stay in your home as long as possible, you could think about future-proofing your house for mobility and ease of getting around. Grab bars, widened doorways and adjustable light switches can all help.

If you’re looking to make improvements to your home, equity release could be one option to help provide you with the finances to do it. Equity release is a way for homeowners aged over 55 to release tax-free cash from their homes. If you’d like more information about equity release, why not request a FREE Guide from Key Equity Release and find out if equity release is right for you.

Key Equity Release offer Lifetime Mortgages only, which is a loan secured against your home. Typically there are no monthly repayments as the loan plus roll-up interest is repaid when the plan comes to an end following death or entry into long term care. Remember equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits.