I’m buying a home in Greece for retirement. I’m not retiring yet, but I still want to be ready when the time comes – what design features should I look out for in a home in Greece?
The answer? We’re not experts in interior design, so we turned to experts, Irini and Marina of Decork Design, for the answers. Decork designs custom interiors in Greece for owners with disabilities and other factors which would limit the way they use the space of their Greek home.
Irini and Marina shared the secret for designing a home for retirees – the “Design For All” approach. The design approach follows seven principles. Among them: Flexibility in use, Simple and Intuitive Use, Tolerance for error, and Low physical effort. In other words – all the things you want in a home in Greece when you’re retired.
1. Open-Plan Design
It’s wise to have an open-plan home because it’s easier to navigate around your home, with fewer doorways and room transitions. It may also be good to limit the number of rugs and carpets, to limit the possibility of tripping. You can also use different lighting to mark the transition between different spaces (like a living room vs. Dining area)
2. First-Floor Bedroom
Going up and down the stairs constantly is not something you want in an advanced age. This is why the bungalow style is increasingly popular for retirement age home seekers. If you do have a house with more than one story, there are other solutions, live having a primary bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen on the main floor.
In the bedroom, it’s a good practice for the mattress to be higher than the floor, to make it easier to get out of bed. The bedside table should be at the same height as the mattress or a little higher to have an easier view.
3. Kitchen Storage
In the kitchen, the details matter. It is better to have deep drawers as opposed to low cabinets, because it is easier to lift things out of drawers. If you’re not a fan of drawers, you can also use low cabinets with pull-out shelves. In high cabinets, it is also possible to install pull-down shelves. As a general rule, keep the kitchen area open and easy to walk around.
4. Bathroom Accessibility
Making a bathroom accessible is a big priority for many retirement age home buyers in Greece. One of the best ways to do this is to make the shower more accessible. It’s ideal to have a shower with no curb (one which you can walk or even wheel into, without tripping.) Adding grab bars or a chair to sit in are other considerations.
Another priority in the bathroom is a non-slip floor, which is available in many materials in Greece. Some homes also have in-floor heating, if that is a priority for you.
5. Low Maintenance Materials
You don’t want to spend your whole retirement taking care of a home (or paying someone else to do so). This is especially true if you want to buy a home in Greece. Low maintenance materials are ideal. Greece has an advantage because wood is not as common. In your kitchen, marble and stone are great options.
6. Lighting
Greece naturally has great lighting, especially in the summer. Especially in islands like Crete, which have a long summer season, there is plenty of natural light. Still, lighting matters and can make your home feel more cozy, it can make everyday tasks easier, and family member feel more relaxes when visiting.
Lighting is also important for safety. Lights near stairs and doors are especially important to prevent falls. If two areas are made of two different flooring materials, a light can remind you to pay attention to the change, so you don’t slip. If a staircase is necessary in an area, the steps need to be clearly visible, be properly lit, and include a handrail.
7. Location
While not an interior design element, location matters a lot for a home to retire in Greece. It’s an advantage to find somewhere with basic services within walking distance, as well as leisure activities and restaurants. Walking is good for your health in retirement age, and is one of the reasons why some Greek islanders live to be over 100 years old.
In addition, good locations increase the value of your home. Some of the most popular amenities which retirees in Greece like having in their area are medical clinics, marinas, restaurants, fitness opportunities, and ongoing educational centers.
8. Garden Size
Choosing a home with a small yard means you will spend less time on gardening and landscaping. Some people like to take time with their yard for health reasons, but be aware of the amount of effort it requires, especially if there is a lawn area or areas that need weekly attention. Yard work also needs equipment and tools, which also require space and fixing from time to time.
Other details to pay attention to include ramps instead of steps outside, and a priority on the stability of the floors most commonly used for walking.
