Comparing senior living apartment floor plans is an important step as you consider where you want to spend your retirement. It’s exciting to think about the layout of your senior apartment and all the personal touches you’ll add to make it feel like home. But facing the reality of downsizing and figuring out how to live in a different space can be intimidating, too. Understanding how much square footage you need and visualizing how to arrange your furniture and belongings can help you move forward with confidence.

How Big Should Your Home Be?

Are you looking at senior apartment floor plans and trying to figure out how much space you need? Let us help you visualize your needs.

When you’re estimating how many square feet you need in a home, you typically consider family size and how you intend to use space. Although we’ve seen a trend of increasing home sizes in the U.S. in recent decades, the tide may be turning in favor of downsizing. The average square footage of a home in the U.S. was 2,300 square feet in 2020, down from a peak of 2,687 in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s not surprising that seniors are leading the way in rightsizing their homes and lifestyles to focus on what matters most to them.

Here are some questions to help you estimate how much space you’ll need in a senior apartment:

  1. How large is your current home? If you don’t know the square footage of your home, you can calculate square footage by measuring the length and width of each room. Next, multiply the length by the width to determine each room’s square footage. Then, add up the square footage of each room to estimate the home’s total square footage. This number can be a helpful reference point when evaluating senior apartment layouts and floor plans.
  2. How much square footage per person do you need? Estimating the ideal square footage of your next home is a matter of personal preference and finding a solution that feels right for you and your partner, if you have one. It’s a question of how much space each person needs to be comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your home and fully utilize the space. For some seniors, a 1,000-square-foot apartment might feel just right, while others may need more or less space.
  3. How many rooms do you need? Consider your current living situation and how your needs for additional rooms might change in the future. Perhaps you don’t see yourself using extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or an office space in your new home — and you may look forward to having fewer rooms to furnish and maintain. Check out our floor plans at Peace Village to see how a well-designed apartment layout helps maximize square footage.
  4. Do you need space for entertaining guests? Be honest with yourself and realistic about how you intend to use the space in your home. Do you need a formal dining room for entertaining lots of guests, or are you content with hosting smaller, casual gatherings (or discovering new venues for socializing with friends)? Do you need additional bedrooms for out-of-town guests, or would they be just as comfortable staying at a nearby hotel or guest suites available on a senior living campus? Downsizing may lead to less space for entertaining guests, but there are also the perks of less cooking, cleaning and preparing your home for guests.

Rightsizing Your Home in Retirement

While it can be difficult to leave a home where you’ve built memories over the years, there’s a lot to gain by moving to a smaller home in a retirement community. Square footage and floor plans are important, but they don’t tell the whole story. Here are some of the perks of downsizing:

Fewer Chores and Home Maintenance Costs

Each square foot of additional space adds to the time and costs associated with home maintenance and upkeep, not to mention higher utility bills for heating, cooling and electricity. Moving to a senior apartment removes the hassle and cost of home maintenance. 

Freedom to Follow Your Passions 

The responsibilities of maintaining a large home can make it difficult to get away. Downsizing can free up time and money to spend on travel, hobbies and other bucket list items. Decluttering your home and simplifying your life can help you discover the things that truly bring you joy in retirement.

Community Areas That Provide Additional Space

You won’t miss having a large kitchen and dining room when you have your choice of chef-prepared meals and flexible dining services on campus, including the option to host family and friends as your guests. Book a private dining room for your party at the Peace Village restaurant for a five-star dining experience. Guest suites are available for visitors, making it easy for your family and friends to stay on campus. Personal storage areas provide extra space for the things you want to keep tucked away. 

Living Space That Extends Beyond Your Doors

Residents of Peace Village enjoy the benefit of being steps away from the serenity of beautifully landscaped walking trails and gardens. You’ll find a multitude of amenities at Peace Village, from group fitness classes and live entertainment to social gatherings and salon services available on-site.  See how your living space extends beyond your front door when you join the vibrant community at Peace Village.

See the Big Picture

Ready to explore your options for senior living apartments with the right size and features for you? We’re here to help you compare floor plans and independent living options so you can make a smart decision.