Forget the Open Floor Plan--It's Time to Bring Back Walls

There are a lot of great reasons to downsize after you retire. You can save money on mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utility costs. You’ll also have the opportunity to cut back on things like lawn care and snow shoveling if you move to a townhome or condo. And with scaling back work and home maintenance, you’ll have lots more time for the kind of activities you’ve been dreaming of. Here, Clyde Miles Construction Co. explains some of the benefits of downsizing. Moving to Another State You may have been looking forward to retirement to give you the chance to move to another state, too. Maybe you’re ready for warm winters on the beaches in California or the beauty of desert life in Arizona. Or perhaps you want to start a hobby farm in Kentucky or a vineyard out West. Now that you’ve retired, you can start planning for living your dream!   It’s possible to keep the home you’ve been living in and rent it out as another form of income. It’s smart to hire a leas

  1. Keep Lighting on the Down Low When planning outdoor lighting, think about how it will affect your neighbors. Position any bright security spotlights so they don’t shine in their windows and potentially affect their sleep. Angle lights downward and consider using lower-voltage lights with less intensity to avoid creating glare. Remember your nonhuman neighbors as well when planning lighting. Fixtures such as uplights can negatively affect wildlife. When possible, keep lighting low. Illuminate stairs and benches with LED strip lights and paths with hooded fixtures. Set lights to turn off at a certain time or use motion-activated options. A  landscape designer  or a skilled  landscape contractor  can help you create a lighting plan that works for everyone. And if your neighbors’ lights are creating a problematic glare for you at night, broach the subject in a nonconfrontational way. Assume they aren’t doing it on purpose, and ask if they might consider turning off nonessential lighti