Like built-in nannies. 
5 Likes
This is the grab bar I had installed in our previous homeās main bathroom:
This is one weāre putting in our new home:
I also used one similar to this series previously: DĆ©cor Assist Traditional Tissue Holder with Assist Bar in Matte Black 41350-BL | Delta Faucet
Iād like to see more like these featured instead of the ones that look like hospital grab bars.
5 Likes
I would have paid a premium for the automatic lift gates now available on many vehicles. With two under two, that would have been a huge help.
In the house, it would have been helpful to have vanities and kitchen base cabinets with the built-in pull-out steps. Raised electrical outlets (higher on the wall) would have been a great boon during late pregnancy and after multiple abdominal surgeries. Wide hallways wouldnāt have suffered so much damage from active toddlers on their ride on toys, and 36" wide doors would have been nice for so many things from double strollers to big laundry baskets. Little ones could have used grab bars when using the toilet and when climbing in and out of the tub.
I designed our new homeās kitchen with three different counter heights, 32", 36" and 42", for different functions and to provide work spaces that accommodate the adultsā widely different heights.
4 Likes
Does anybody have central vacuum system. Is that something that would be helpful when older?
1 Like
My parents and inlaws had central vacs and both hated them. The hoses were heavy, they had to be moved room to room, and it was a pain to clean. This was a while ago though so Iām not sure if new technology has improved.
Iām hoping to continue to use my Roomba as we age and hopefully someone developed a vacuum robot that can do stairs ; )
1 Like
I have a hand held vacuum in the bath room, I shed more hair so I have to vacuum more often.
But getting in and out of my bath, I use my hands to push myself out now, I used to grab onto something but I decided last year to build more strength in my arms early one, while Iām still young enough to do it.
3 Likes
This is me! I bought a handheld vac just for my master bath and use it every day. I lose a crazy amount of hair daily but thankfully I have very thick hair so can afford to.
2 Likes
I like central vacuum because it has many advantages. Among them:
-
Air isnāt recirculated back into your room. Even with the best HEPA filter, a regular vacuum would still release some dust particles, allergens back into your room;
-
You donāt have to frequently empty the dust collection canister;
-
Itās much more powerful.
-
The hose may be long but the attachment with a non-motorized brush is lighter than regular vacuum (the one with motorized brush may be heavier but you rarely need it because of the much stronger suction power of a central vacuum system).
3 Likes
I have had a central vac for the past 34 years (came with the house when we bought it). I do like it and the new ones are better (have electric beater heads). It is lighter than pushing around a big vac and I second the convenience of only cleaning out the big system bucket infrequently.
3 Likes
I have no idea what a central vacuum is, but I see vacuuming as extra activity in my day. OK, week!
1 Like
Central air vacuum was offered when I bought a house in the 90s, but they didnāt offer it when we bought a house in the last 10 years.
I have a vacuum upstairs and a separate on downstairs so I donāt have to carry them up and down. This works well for me.
3 Likes
We had a central vacuum in a previous house and I liked it for all the reasons @1NJParent listed. It was a boon for H due to his allergies.
In our new house, weāve had a central vac system installed and it will have the hide-a-hose feature. No more lugging out the long hose and plugging it in several different locations. I am so looking forward to it. Weāve never been happy with the several robotic vacuums weāve tried, and I think the central vac with hide-a-hose will be much easier for me than a regular or even a stick vacuum. I have worsening carpal tunnel syndrome plus rotator cuff issues with bone spurs, so the central vac was one of my must have features.
1 Like
I always thought the negatives, besides the upfront cost, is how long of a hose versus the number vac outlets quandry. The longer the hose, less outlets, but less suction. Shorter hose, more outlets, but more suction. And personally, for me, the outlets ruin the aesthetics of the walls and home. I prefer less on my walls and prefer the unencumbered look.
And then thereās putting away the hose, which is a hassle to me. And the payback (or ROI) to the owner of the home was always minimal, if anything. No one has ever said āI have to have this home, because of the central vac system.ā 
3 Likes
It became outdated, I personally would not install one. I know back in the mid 90s, it cost me the same to add a 5th bedroom downstairs and converting a shower to a bath, as it is to add a vac outlet. But my neighbor did, she did a lot of vacuuming than I did, so it made sense for her.
As for me, I like to keep the upgrade to the minimum, I still have the lowest property tax in my hood.
1 Like
I believe the hose length is standard. Itās designed to reach everywhere in a typical bedroom (larger room may need more than one outlet). The outlets are fairly inconspicuous, certainly less visible than typical electrical outlets.
It is not and will depend on the size of the home.
Not IMO. Just more plates on the wall than necessary.
1 Like
I agree. It seemed popular many years ago. The marketing at trade shows, builder conferences and such, would always say there would be exponential growth, but that kind of demand never materialized.
2 Likes
A typical room has half of a dozen or more electrical and cable outlets. Whatās the big deal with an extra outlet? Besides, vacuum outlets can be concealed in the floor, just like electrical outlets, except that they donāt have any cables attached to them when they arenāt in use.
Look, Iād rather not argue over central vac systems, but I can see you obviously love yours. However, 6+ electrical and cable outlets in a ātypical roomā sounds like a poorly planned home IMO. 6+? Wow! Iāve been in a few homes and I can tell you, that is not standard.
And I would never put any outlet (or vents) into a floor, unless it was a retrofit and I had no other way around it. First, itās a tripping hazard. Second, having plates or too many plates on a floor is even worse than having too many on the wall. Floors sell homes.
2 Likes