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I want to take a moment to wish a happy retirement to our bookkeeper, Penny Stunzi. Over the next few months, much in her life will change with her extra free time and (very extensive) travel plans.

A strange and wonderful transformation can also occur within the home after retirement. Rooms that were either unused during the day or added stressors while raising a family can find renewed purpose.

Kitchen

Without the need to rush off to the office, retirees have more time to cook. Some even find cooking to be a new hobby. Now, they have time to experiment with different recipes or cooking techniques. Cooking becomes a holistic process, and the kitchen is suddenly a place for creativity and entertainment. Often, they may find they need a convection oven or air fryer. What about those new induction cooktops? Next, they may want to share their newfound hobby and now the kitchen is the new center of their entertainment.

Wine Display

And with this entertaining come sharing perhaps a glass of wine with neighbors or even a wine tasting event. Drinking wine is different that other beverages. It is enjoyed more slowly. First, you swirl it in the glass, followed by a wonderful inhale of its aroma. Then, you sip it – maybe even swirl it around in your mouth to get the full experience. This slow, deliberate process exudes relaxation. For this reason, I think having a wine display is perfect for retires with time to enjoy and share their wine.

Hobby or More Rooms

With more free time, retirees can take up new hobbies. This often means the extra bedroom can be used for anything except a sleeping room. It could become a sewing room or crafting room. How about a music room – for either listening to music or playing music? What about a room for yoga, pilates or meditation?

Perhaps you recall the 2006 movie “Failure to Launch”. In that movie the actor Terry Bradshaw took over his son’s bedroom and it became his “naked room.” Hey – it’s your house and that is none of our business.

But if you add a wall bed or Murphy bed, the room can be “the what ever you want room” most of the year – and a guest sleeping room when needed.

Pet Rooms

Like many retirees, Penny has pets. Pets take on newfound meaning as the become the surrogatechildren or grandchildren. A pet-friendly house might include luxury plank vinyl floors that don’t scratch under dogs paws and puddles or piles occasionally left by our canine friends clean up easily.

And speaking of clean – dogs get dirty, so having a convenient place to wash them is a must. I like the dog shower in the garage since dogs loves to shake off the water when their bathing is complete.

His and Her Get Away Spaces

After years over working 8 hours a day in an office 5 days a week – many retirees find they suddenly have more togetherness time. Sometimes that can become too much togetherness time, and each need their own get away or activity. That’s why we find second floor man caves or game rooms so popular with this buyer.

Outdoor Living

Time not working in an office means more time at home during the day. Retirees crave time spent not spent under fluorescent lights. Consider larger-than-normal outdoor living spaces because they have more time than normal enjoying it – both during the day and the evening. I like to include a place to lounge with a fireplace and/or TV.

But outdoor living is also great for grilling. If under roof, include a vent hood – or consider an outdoor grill. 

Of course, there needs to be space for outdoor dining – preferably away from the heat of the grill.

Please join me in wishing Penny a happy retirement. We all hope she finds enjoyment in her retirement and her home. But if she needs help finding new retirement home or someone who can help remodel her home to meet her newfound wants – she knows where to turn. .