How to Make Your New Senior Apartment Feel Like Home: Design Your Layout for Routines & Memories

Getting ready to move into a senior living community? Whether you’re weeks away or still daydreaming about floor plans, these design tips will turn your new space into your home.

Sure, you could hang a few pictures and call it a day, but why not design your apartment in a way that reflects you? Your routines. Your memories. Your favorite little comforts. A thoughtful apartment design helps ease the transition and make your new place feel familiar from the moment you step through the door.

Think in routines, not just rooms

Start by thinking about your daily habits. Do you begin your morning with a hot cup of coffee and a crossword? Is a balcony your go-to spot for soaking up sun and watering your plants? Do you wind down every night with a book and a cozy blanket?

These moments are what give shape to your day, and they can (and should) shape your layout too. Instead of trying to recreate your old home room for room, think about how you live. Where do you feel most relaxed? What spaces do you gravitate toward?

Decorate and furnish your layout around those small rituals. Create a reading nook by a window. Set up a little coffee station with your favorite mugs. If you’ve always kept a basket of yarn by your recliner, keep that setup going. Familiar routines in a new space make everything feel more grounded.

Carve out zones that work for your life

In any sized apartment, it’s possible to define “zones” that give your home a sense of structure and flow. With a little creativity (and maybe a good area rug or two), you can create distinct spaces for dining, relaxing, entertaining and hobbies.

A few simple tricks: use bookshelves or sideboards as room dividers. Group furniture in ways that guide movement, like placing two chairs across from each other for conversation, or a comfy armchair next to a standing lamp for reading. These subtle choices can make your home feel more spacious and more functional.

Bring your story with you

Downsizing doesn’t mean starting over. It means curating the things that matter most and work for you. From framed family photos to vacation souvenirs, these personal touches make your home feel like you.

Pick one wall to turn into a memory display. Hang up photos that spark joy. Frame handwritten notes or recipes. They serve as both decorations and daily reminders of a life well-lived. And don’t forget, your story isn’t finished. Leave room for new memories, too.

Need some apartment design ideas?

Whether you’re into layered lighting, memory walls or balcony gardens, a little planning goes a long way. Start thinking through your layout now and your future self will thank you.

Take a look at our photo gallery for inspiration and a peek at life at Friendship Village Tempe.