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I got a call from a builder asking about stairs and 55+. He had lots of questions.

• Are stairs ever acceptable for this buyer?
• If so, are there things I should do to make them more acceptable?
• Are there things I should avoid?

There are so many misconceptions about stairs and 55+ buyers. Some might think that stairs are never acceptable for this buyer. But the baby-boomer 55+ buyer is more health-conscious than previous generations, so they are less averse to stairs. I happen to live in a 27-unit town home community where two thirds of the buyers are 55+. Did I mention that this is a three-story townhome with a 4th floor roof deck?

Indeed, the vibe amongst my 55+ neighbors is that the stairs will help keep them young.

If you’re still not convinced, one 55+ builder offered second floor options on their complete line of houses. Those optional second floors accounted for 40% of their sales. It turned out to be a real money maker for the builder.

What rooms should be on the second floor?

Many 55+ buyers prefer the primary suite on the same level as the kitchen. We recently designed a townhome project with the primary suite, den, and kitchen on the second level, leaving the garage and spare bedrooms down. This allowed access to the second-floor outdoor living and increased privacy for the primary bedroom.

Locating an exercise room on the second floor makes sense since climbing the stairs can be a great warm up. It could be as simple as a place to do yoga or a full-size fitness room. Another popular use for second floor rooms is making a space for the grandkids when they visit.

Combining the two into one room with barns doors kills two birds with one stone.

Stairs are also acceptable for a getaway space – like a game room or man cave. After years of working at separate jobs, many 55+ couples discover that too much togetherness can be stressful. Having a space where you can occasionally get away without actually leaving may enhance a marriage or two.

Of course, let’s not forget the storage needs of the 55+ buyer. Even after downsizing, many still have too much stuff they can’t part with. Having safe and convenient access to attic storage is a great way to win over this buyer. Consider making the garage 4’ deeper enough to add a permanent stair to the attic.

Acceptable Stair Design

Start by avoiding a straight run stair. They are intimidating to climb, but more importantly, if a fall should occur, a switch back stair cuts the fall in half. And while 7 3/4″ for a riser height may be allowed by code, try to squeeze in an extra tread to keep the stairs less steep.

Next, keep the stairs as light and bright as possible. I highly recommend step lights, but you can also offer nightlight features to the existing switches and outlets with a light sensor, so the lights come on automatically. If the stairs are wood or vinyl, consider offering white risers with the wood toned treads. 

This makes each step very visible going up, though if you select dark treads, the going down gets a little scarier.

Of course, handrails are required by code – but you could offer a second rail on the other side of the stairs as an option.

A final note of caution. Falling down stairs is the number one reason people go to the emergency room. This includes a single step between the house and the garage that can become a tripping hazard – especially if the light in garage is burned out! If you have to have steps between the house and the garage, consider adding a handrail. While it won’t make the house wheelchair accessible, it could help someone with bad knees enter their home safely.

If you have any examples of successful 55+ designs with stairs – maybe you still have concerns or doubts – I would love to hear from you!