Aging in Place Renovation in Bryan–College Station

This aging in place renovation addressed the need to convert an existing area of the home into an in-law suite that would support long-term mobility and daily accessibility. The goal was to bring aging parents from a detached living space into the main house, creating a safer and more connected environment for everyday care.

Completed aging in place renovation in Bryan–College Station featuring cork flooring, widened doorway, recessed lighting, and improved accessibility between rooms.

The Homeowner’s Challenge

The homeowners were returning clients who needed to modify an existing portion of their home to support aging-in-place needs.

The original space included:

  • A small living room

  • Two small bedrooms

  • A small full bathroom with a tub and shower combination

  • Carpet and large-format tile flooring

  • Beige and white finishes

At the time of renovation, the in-laws were living detached from the main home. The homeowners wanted them inside the primary residence to provide better daily care and proximity.

Uneven flooring transition before corrections made during aging in place home renovations.

The challenge was not centered on updating style. It was centered on function. The space needed to become practical, user-friendly, and supportive of an elderly couple’s mobility.

Design Goals

  • Improve accessibility for wheelchair and walker use

  • Reduce fall risk

  • Increase lighting visibility

  • Maintain familiarity to ease the transition

  • Support safe daily routines

Each decision was evaluated through the lens of aging in place functionality.

Our Design & Build Approach

Because this was a renovation within an existing structure, adjustments required careful planning and coordination. Door widths, flooring transitions, bathroom layout, lighting levels, and entry access all had to work together.

Rather than layering decorative updates, the focus remained on removing physical barriers and improving daily usability.

Accessibility informed layout revisions, fixture selections, material changes, and exterior modifications.

Work in progress during an aging in place renovation showing wall framing exposed, plumbing adjustments, and floor modifications to improve accessibility.

Key Decisions That Shaped This Aging in Place Renovation

Widening Doorways to Three Feet

All existing doors were widened to three feet to allow easier passage for individuals using wheelchairs or walkers. Circulation width directly impacts mobility and independence.

Narrow interior doorway before widening during aging in place renovation in Bryan–College Station. Widened doorway completed as part of aging in place renovation to allow wheelchair passage.

Replacing Knobs with Lever Hardware

Door knobs were replaced with lever handles. Lever hardware can be easier to operate for individuals with reduced hand strength or dexterity.

Traditional round door knobs before aging in place renovation improvements for easier operation. Lever-style door hardware installed during aging in place renovations for improved hand accessibility.

Replacing Carpet with Cork Flooring

All carpet was removed and replaced with cork flooring.

Carpet can create resistance for mobility devices. Cork provides a smooth surface while also offering durability. Its softer composition, compared to tile or hardwood, may help lessen impact in the event of a fall.

Carpeted bedroom flooring before aging in place renovations to improve walker and wheelchair mobility. Cork flooring installed during aging in place renovation to provide a smooth and durable walking surface.

Maintaining a Familiar Color Palette

Walls were finished in a brown palette that matched the existing detached suite. Familiar finishes can help create a sense of comfort during transition.

Original interior walls and finishes before aging in place home renovation in Bryan–College Station. Completed interior wall finishes during an aging in place renovation designed to create a familiar and comfortable environment.

Installing a Curbless Shower

The bathroom was redesigned with a curbless shower. Removing the shower curb eliminated the need to step over a threshold, allowing easier access for those using mobility aids.

The shower floor transitions directly into the bathroom floor without interruption.

Traditional tub and shower combination before aging in place bathroom renovation. Curbless walk-in shower completed during aging in place renovation with grab bars and smooth floor transition.

Installing an Adjustable Hand Shower

A hand shower mounted on a slider bar replaced a traditional fixed showerhead.

This allows the showerhead height to be adjusted and removed for seated use. Grab bars were installed inside the shower to assist with stability when entering and exiting.

Adjustable hand shower and grab bar installed as part of an aging in place renovation for improved bathing accessibility.

Selecting a Pedestal Sink for Accessibility

Instead of a traditional vanity cabinet, a pedestal sink was installed. The open space beneath allows a wheelchair user to approach the sink more closely.

This reduces the need to bend forward and may help prevent water from splashing onto the floor.

Bathroom vanity with cabinet base before aging in place renovations to improve wheelchair accessibility. Pedestal sink installed during aging in place renovation to allow closer wheelchair access and improved usability.

Increasing Lighting Throughout the Suite

Recessed lighting was added throughout the space, along with ceiling fans with integrated lighting in the bedroom and living area.

Lighting needs increase with age. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adequate lighting improves visibility and safety in residential environments.

Bedroom with limited lighting and ceiling fan prior to aging in place home renovations focused on improved visibility. Bedroom after aging in place renovation with recessed lighting and updated ceiling fan to improve visibility and safety.

Installing a Wheelchair Ramp

A wheelchair ramp was installed at the home’s exterior entry to improve ease of access when entering and exiting the house.

Interior accessibility improvements are most effective when exterior entry points are addressed as well.

Exterior entry with small concrete steps before modifications during an aging in place renovation in Bryan–College Station. Exterior wheelchair ramp installed during an aging in place renovation in Bryan–College Station to improve safe home entry.

The Result

The completed in-law suite now supports:

  • Easier mobility

  • Safer bathing routines

  • Improved lighting visibility

  • Reduced floor transitions

  • Greater connection to the main household

The renovation created a space that prioritizes usability and daily function while allowing the homeowners to provide closer care for their parents.

Cork flooring connecting the new in-law suite to the main home during an aging in place renovation. Completed bathroom from an aging in place renovation featuring a curbless tile shower, grab bars, handheld showerhead, and pedestal sink.

Lessons for Homeowners Considering an Aging in Place Renovation

If you are considering an aging in place renovation in Bryan–College Station, early planning around accessibility can significantly affect daily comfort and long-term safety.

Important considerations include:

  • Doorway widths

  • Flooring surfaces

  • Bathroom thresholds

  • Lighting levels

  • Exterior entry transitions

Aging in place renovations often focus less on adding features and more on removing obstacles that interfere with mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a bathroom suitable for aging in place?

Removing barriers is foundational. In this project, a curbless shower improved accessibility by eliminating the need to step over a threshold.

Why is flooring important in an aging in place renovation?

Flooring affects mobility and fall risk. Smooth surfaces that support wheelchairs and walkers improve ease of movement.

Does lighting really need to change as we age?

Yes. Vision changes over time, and increased lighting levels can improve safety and daily comfort.

Is widening doorways necessary?

Standard door widths can restrict mobility devices. Widening doorways improves maneuverability and future flexibility.

Want to keep exploring whole home transformations? Check out this Mid-Century Modern remodel!