{"id":1068,"date":"2019-09-04T09:02:34","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T13:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/multi-unit-bathrooms\/?p=1068"},"modified":"2019-09-22T10:47:12","modified_gmt":"2019-09-22T14:47:12","slug":"bathroom-shower-design-features-55-plus-luxury-apartment-renters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/multi-unit-bathrooms\/2019\/09\/bathroom-shower-design-features-55-plus-luxury-apartment-renters\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Smart Bathroom Design Features to Win-Over 55+ Luxury Apartment Renters"},"content":{"rendered":"

They\u2019re the hottest growth segment in the apartment rental market. They\u2019re 55 plus. They\u2019re not only \u2018renting by choice,\u2019 but they\u2019re \u2018renting with high expectations\u2019 of you (if you\u2019re the builder or developer).<\/p>

You see, this isn\u2019t their first rodeo. They\u2019ve lived in apartments. They\u2019re beyond being a move-up buyer. They\u2019ve already lived through raising kids in the big suburban home.<\/p>

They\u2019re smart. They\u2019re sophisticated. They\u2019re ready to ditch the hassle associated with single-family home ownership and want more time to enjoy life.<\/p>

Whether they\u2019re comparing an upscale urban apartment or downtown suburban condo in a \u2018walkable neighbor\u2019 near their kids (and most importantly grandkids), they\u2019ve got high standards. They want a location and apartment (or condo) which will work for their needs now and in the future.<\/p>

The question becomes, \u201chow does your apartment or condo design stack up? Is your bathroom designed to suit the needs of this more profitable (yet demanding) market segment? They\u2019re been around the block once or twice before. They expect a higher level of amenities and practical features in all rooms in their unit \u2013 including the bathrooms.<\/p>

If you\u2019re renovating an existing multi-tenant property and want to ramp it up from Class B to Class A, or building new, you\u2019ll need to be thoughtful and strategic about how and where you spend your money to win over 55+ \u2018renters by choice.\u2019 If you use the right bathroom design features, you\u2019ll increase your chance of leaving vacant units to your competitors down the street.<\/p>

If you\u2019re looking to improve your shower and bathroom designs, that\u2019s what this article is about. I\u2019ll identify 7 smart bathroom design features to help wow (and get signed leases) from luxury-driven empty nesters. These residents want well-appointed (and safe \u2013 even though they may not admit this to you), condo, apartment or independent units. Your success will be impacted on how well you deliver on their needs and wants (at a rental rate which is profitable for you). Let\u2019s check out the 7-bathroom design features.<\/p>

Smart bathroom design feature #1 for 55+ apartment renters\u2013 The barrier free no-step shower <\/strong><\/h2>

The last thing a 55+ person wants to be reminded of is that they (shh…I\u2019m going to say this softly) are a little on the older side (OK, I\u2019ll admit as a 59-year-old and I may ever-so-slightly resemble this remark). Although the Botox treatments and packages of Miss Clairol hair coloring help, they can\u2019t turn back the actual body clock (although they can \u2018mask\u2019 it a little).<\/p>

This is why bathroom shower design is critical.<\/p>

To win over the 55 plus renter by choice you\u2019ll need to learn what the Europeans have known for decades. A winning shower design starts at the bottom with a one level wet room<\/a> system. It will not only make a safer bathroom, but also one with a contemporary style.

\"One<\/a><\/p>

Smart bathroom design feature #2 for 55+ apartment renters\u2013 Cut bathroom and shower wall maintenance down to size\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h2>

Your 55+ renter-by-choice has \u2018lived through\u2019 the painstaking maintenance of a ceramic tile shower. While these showers look fantastic the day they\u2019re initially installed, the \u2018eventually\u2019 gets to them. The dirt, the grime, the \u2018big M\u2019 word (that would be mold) plague the shower for years to come.<\/p>

While tile showers start out looking amazing, they end up being nasty. The challenge your maintenance team has is \u2018cleaning up this mess\u2019 (both literally and figuratively) after your tenant leaves (whether they did a good job of cleaning the tile grout joints while it was occupied or not).<\/p>

You may be asking, is their a more effective way to get a cool-styled shower for your 55+ target market? Is there an option which is not only simple for them to maintain, but costs less than tile?<\/p>

The answer is, yes there is a better way.<\/p>

This better way is to use 100% waterproof laminate wall panels<\/a>. These 3\/8\u201d thick x 2\u2019 wide x 8\u2019 high panels are a dead-ringer for tile WITHOUT the hassle (to your renter or your maintenance department). They\u2019ll give you the high style to get your unit leased quickly without maintenance costs or hassles for your residents. Since they are a \u2018direct to stud\u2019 installation, they go up quick without the need to find a tile crew. They\u2019re a smart bathroom panel for senior apartments<\/a>. \u00a0

\"3D<\/a>
<\/strong><\/p>

Smart bathroom design feature #3 for 55+ apartment renters \u2013 Hard-ware which isn\u2019t hard-to-use<\/strong><\/h2>

Have you struggled to twist off the top of a water bottle and wondered, \u201cI don\u2019t know how the heck my Mom or Grandma would be able to pull off this doggone top off!\u201d<\/p>

Unfortunately, our dexterity doesn\u2019t improve (and isn\u2019t worth more) as we age, unlike a bottle of fine wine. Operating and turning handles isn\u2019t as simple as it used to be \u2013 especially for empty nesters.<\/p>

Its for this reason the hardware selections in your 55 plus bathroom<\/a> and shower need to be more thoughtfully designed than a space you\u2019re creating for Millennials.

\"Lever<\/p>

Here\u2019s 3 smart hardware ideas your upscale empty nester tenant will appreciate:<\/p>