Making Our Homes Work Better as We Age: What I’ve Learned About Bringing Nature Indoors

After thirty-eight years in the same house, I’ve come to understand something important: our homes need to change as we do. It’s not enough to just keep things the way they’ve always been. If we’re going to age in place successfully – and I’m convinced that’s what most of us want – we need to think differently about how our living spaces can actually support our health and wellbeing.

My wife’s stroke eight years ago forced me to start looking at our house through completely different eyes. Suddenly, features we’d never questioned became obstacles. But more than that, I started noticing how much the environment itself affected her recovery and mood. That’s when I stumbled across this concept called biophilic design – basically, bringing natural elements into your home in intentional ways.

**Why Natural Elements Matter More Than We Realized**

I’ll be honest, when I first read about biophilic design, part of me thought it was just another trend that designers dreamed up to sell more services. But the more I researched – and the more I experimented with changes in our own house – the more it made practical sense.

Humans have always lived closely connected to nature until very recently. We built houses with big porches, designed windows for natural light and ventilation, kept gardens right outside our doors. Then somewhere in the last fifty years, we sealed everything up for energy efficiency and climate control. Now we’re realizing we might have lost something important in the process.

A neighbor of mine retired about the same time I did and completely renovated his living room. He installed what he calls a “living wall” – plants growing in a vertical system without soil – and enlarged his windows to look out on his carefully maintained yard. When we talk over the fence, he tells me these changes have genuinely improved how he feels in that space. He spends hours each day tending his indoor and outdoor plants, and says it gives him purpose and energy he didn’t have when he was just sitting in front of the TV.

**Getting More Natural Light Where It Counts**

One of the first things I learned is that natural light affects everything – your mood, sleep patterns, even pain levels. The research on this is pretty solid. For older adults especially, good natural light can make a real difference in how you feel day to day.

In our house, I started by replacing all the heavy drapes my wife had hung back in the 1990s. We’d chosen them for privacy and to keep the heat out in summer, but they were making our rooms feel like caves. I put up lighter curtains that still give us privacy but let in much more daylight.

The biggest project was enlarging the window in our bedroom where my wife spends a lot of time reading. I had to get permits and hire someone to handle the structural work, but it was worth every penny. She can now see the bird feeder I hung outside, and the natural light has helped both of us sleep better.

**Plants That Actually Work for Older Adults**

I used to think houseplants were just something that created more work – watering, fertilizing, worrying about them dying when we traveled. But I’ve learned that the right plants in the right places can genuinely improve your indoor air quality and provide something meaningful to care for.

We started small with a few succulents on the kitchen windowsill. These are practically indestructible, which was important since neither of us had much experience with houseplants. Then I added a larger plant in the living room – a rubber tree that tolerates our inconsistent watering and still looks good.

The real game-changer was building a greenhouse from a kit in our backyard. This gives my wife a place to potter with plants even during Michigan winters. She’s growing herbs and some vegetables year-round now, which gives her a sense of accomplishment and provides fresh ingredients for our meals.

I know someone who converted his basement into an indoor garden space. Added grow lights, improved the ventilation, and now grows tomatoes and herbs down there all winter. What used to be dead storage space has become his favorite room in the house.

**Making Safety Modifications That Don’t Look Institutional**

The challenge with aging in place is creating a safe environment that still feels like home. I’ve seen too many houses where the safety modifications were so obvious and clinical-looking that they made the place feel like a medical facility.

When I built raised garden beds for my wife, I designed them to be at wheelchair height but made them look intentional, not like medical equipment. Used cedar and made them substantial enough that they look like landscape features, not accommodations.

Inside the house, I installed motion-sensor lighting throughout the main pathways. These aren’t the harsh security lights you might expect – I found ones that give off a soft, warm light that’s bright enough for safety but not jarring if they activate at night. They’re in the hallway, by the stairs, and in the bathroom.

For furniture, we replaced our old, low couch with one that has a higher seat and firm cushions. Much easier to get in and out of, but it looks like a design choice, not a medical necessity. Added a side table at the right height for setting down drinks or books.

**Simple Technology That Actually Helps**

I’ll admit I was skeptical about smart home technology. Too many gadgets seemed like solutions looking for problems. But I’ve found a few devices that genuinely make daily life easier, especially as mobility becomes more challenging.

We installed a smart thermostat that responds to voice commands. No more walking across the room to adjust the temperature or trying to read tiny buttons. The same with some of our lights – I can tell them to turn on or off without getting up from my chair.

The video doorbell has been surprisingly useful. I can see who’s at the door without having to get up and walk over, and it gives both of us peace of mind about security. My wife can answer the door from her chair if needed.

I tried some more complex automation systems but found them frustrating and unreliable. The simpler devices work better and are less likely to malfunction at inconvenient times.

**How Environment Affects Your Health**

What I’ve noticed most clearly is how much our physical environment affects both physical and mental health, especially as we age. During the pandemic, when we were stuck inside for months, these environmental factors became even more obvious.

The changes I made to bring in more natural light and plants genuinely improved my wife’s mood and mine too. She complains less about pain on days when she spends time in her greenhouse or working with her indoor plants. I sleep better since we got more natural light in the bedroom.

A friend of mine redesigned her kitchen to include a small indoor herb garden. She now grows basil, parsley, and other herbs right on her counter. Not only does this give her fresh ingredients, but tending these plants has become part of her daily routine in a way that keeps her engaged and active.

Using natural materials makes a difference too. When I refinished our hardwood floors, I chose to restore the original wood rather than covering it with carpet or vinyl. The natural wood grain and texture make the house feel warmer and more connected to the outdoors.

**Creating Spaces for Social Connection**

One thing I didn’t anticipate when I started making these changes was how they would affect our social life. I built a small patio area in our backyard with comfortable seating and a fire pit. It’s become a magnet for family gatherings and visits from friends.

The space encourages people to linger and actually talk instead of just sitting in front of the television. My grandkids prefer playing in the yard when there are adults sitting outside keeping an eye on them. It’s created a natural gathering spot that brings people together.

There’s a community garden project starting up in our neighborhood. Several of us retired folks are working together to create shared growing space where people can have their own plots but also socialize and share knowledge. It’s still in the planning stages, but I can already see how it’s bringing neighbors together who might not have talked otherwise.

**Making It Personal and Meaningful**

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that these changes need to reflect your own interests and personality. Cookie-cutter solutions don’t work because everyone’s needs and preferences are different.

One woman I know through our church loves beach vacations but can’t travel as easily as she used to. When she redecorated her bedroom, she chose colors and textures that reminded her of the ocean – soft blues and whites, natural fibers, even some shells and driftwood from past trips. It’s not elaborate or expensive, but it makes her happy every time she walks into that room.

Another friend set up an art studio in his spare bedroom when he retired. Good natural light, organized storage for supplies, and a comfortable chair for when his arthritis acts up. Being able to continue painting has given him a sense of purpose and accomplishment that retirement had taken away.

**Water Features: Lessons Learned the Hard Way**

I mentioned earlier that not everything I tried worked out. The indoor fountain I installed in our living room was a perfect example. It sounded great in theory – the gentle sound of running water would be relaxing and add humidity to our dry winter air.

In practice, the thing leaked and damaged our hardwood floor. Cost me more to repair the floor than the fountain had cost in the first place. I learned that water features indoors require more maintenance and expertise than I had anticipated.

Outside water features work better for us. I built a small pond in the backyard with a simple recirculating pump. My wife enjoys watching the birds that come to drink, and the sound of the water is pleasant when we’re sitting on the patio. But it’s contained outside where leaks aren’t catastrophic.

**What’s Coming Next**

I keep reading about new developments in this field that might be useful for people aging in place. Some interesting research on virtual reality experiences that could bring nature indoors for people with limited mobility. The technology isn’t quite there yet for regular consumers, but it’s an intriguing possibility.

More cities are incorporating natural elements into public spaces and senior-friendly housing developments. This matters because even if we age successfully in our own homes, we still need to get out into the community. Better-designed public spaces with natural elements can extend our ability to stay active and engaged as we age.

I’m also seeing more attention to how these design principles can bring people together rather than isolating us. Community gardens, shared outdoor spaces, neighborhood walking paths that connect to natural areas – all of these can help combat the isolation that often comes with aging.

**Building Your Support Network**

While environmental design can make a huge difference in aging in place, it’s not enough by itself. We’ve also worked to build connections with neighbors, stay involved with our church, and maintain relationships with family members who can help when needed.

I’ve connected with other retirees in our area who are making similar modifications to their homes. We share ideas, recommend contractors, and sometimes help each other with projects. There’s a lot of practical knowledge among people who’ve been maintaining their own homes for decades.

Our local senior center has been a good resource for information about accessibility modifications and financial assistance programs. AARP also has useful guides for aging in place that cover everything from home modifications to building support networks.

**Looking Back and Moving Forward**

When I think about the changes we’ve made to our house over the past eight years, what strikes me most is how much impact relatively simple modifications can have on quality of life. We’re not talking about massive renovations or unlimited budgets. Most of what I’ve done could be accomplished by any reasonably handy homeowner with moderate expenses.

The key insight for me has been understanding that our environment isn’t neutral – it either supports our health and wellbeing or it works against it. As we age and potentially face mobility challenges or health issues, having a home environment that actively supports us becomes even more important.

Growing old doesn’t mean giving up comfort, safety, or beauty. By thoughtfully incorporating natural elements, improving accessibility, and creating spaces that encourage both independence and social connection, we can make our homes places where we genuinely want to spend our later years.

The future of aging in place looks promising to me. As more of us choose to stay in our own homes rather than move to institutional care, there’s growing attention to how design can support this choice. The principles I’ve been learning and applying – bringing in natural light, incorporating plants, using natural materials, creating accessible outdoor spaces – aren’t complicated or expensive. They just require thinking differently about how our homes can work for us instead of against us.

For anyone considering similar modifications, my advice is to start small and build on what works. Pay attention to how changes affect your daily experience. And don’t be afraid to experiment – some things won’t work out, but the successes can make a real difference in how you experience your home and your life.