For many, the idea of building an amazing home where you can enjoy your golden years is nothing more than a pipe dream. However, these ambitious homeowners defied the odds and transformed their plans into reality.
From amazing luxury homes packed with amenities to tiny houses that maximise every inch of space, click or scroll on to discover the stories behind these remarkable homes built for retirement...
Tena and Terry Wheeler have always had an eye on the future. Over a period of 10 years, the couple bought up 10 farming lots in the Perth Hills in Western Australia totalling around 50 acres (20ha). Their plan was to combine the plots to create a beautiful rural compound where they could spend their retirement.
The Wheelers enlisted the help of architect Suzanne Hunt and tasked her with designing an accessible, environmentally conscious home that channelled their love of Japanese design – and they weren't disappointed by the result.
The living spaces are structured over a series of three pavilions made from stone and slate, united by a curved rammed earth wall.
"The single-level home was designed to ensure that they could navigate the house in wheelchairs, enjoy their beautiful landscaped grounds with protection, have some privacy at times while also being able to share spaces comfortably alone, together, or with their very close, large extended family," Hunt explained in an interview with Houzz.
The open-plan living area in the main pavilion is decorated with warming, rustic materials and an earthy colour palette. The ceiling, which is lined with Victorian ash, is sunken in places to zone the lounge and dining area off from the kitchen.
Thanks to walls of bi-folding glass doors, the home's interior blurs into the exterior courtyards, which function as outdoor living rooms. These alfresco spaces are punctuated by ponds that enhance the sense of tranquility.
Across the pavilions, there's a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms, including the master bedroom, which has a dressing room and a large ensuite clad in travertine tiles.
The living areas are minimally decorated. In keeping with the tenets of Japanese design, the home's distinctive architecture is the main focal point rather than the interior dressings.
Pictured here, frameless corner windows and more retractable glass doors merge the indoor spaces with the picturesque gardens and valley beyond.
Elsewhere, there's a gym in the basement, as well as a magnificent indoor pool beneath an illuminated ceiling that resembles a sky of constellations.
Passive and active design solutions have been seamlessly woven into the home's fabric to minimise its running costs and environmental impact. Rainwater is collected for reuse throughout the house via concrete water tanks, while hot water is provided by a solar-powered system.
The result is a peaceful retirement retreat that offers financial security and sits in harmony with its environment.
The perfect retirement home doesn't have to come with a sprawling square footage. For Peter and Brenda Bartlett, downsizing to an ingeniously designed tiny house opened up a world of possibilities.
The Bartletts' daughter Rebecca McLean is the chairperson of the New Zealand Tiny House Association and was uniquely qualified to help her parents bring their minimalist forever home to life. Rebecca is also the founding director of construction company Tiny House Builders and offers project guidance via her Tiny House Mastery programme.
After temporarily living in a tiny house during the pandemic, Peter and Brenda got a taste of the financial freedom they could unlock by scaling down their home.
The couple made the permanent leap to tiny living by constructing their tiny house on a patch of scenic land in Katikati owned by their daughter, which is within easy reach of their family and grandchildren. The home comprises Tiny House Builders' Kowhai floor plan for the main living space combined with a separate Pod unit, which is used as a hobby space.
Designed in collaboration with their daughter, the primary tiny home measures 10 feet (3m) wide by 36 feet (11m) long. The sloped ceiling enhances the impression of space, while the orientation of the living spaces frames views out across the fields.
The modern kitchen is surprisingly generous given the compact floor plan. A snug breakfast bar slots in under the return of the L-shaped countertop and fitted storage has been built in at every available opportunity. There's a full-sized fridge and oven, as well as two induction hot plates that can be hidden away to free up more preparation space.
The lounge leads through to the bedroom, which features a barn-style sliding door that opens up to the bathroom. Clad in light blue metro tiles, the space features a composting toilet and a large walk-in shower that measures just under 11 square feet (1sqm).
The washroom also encompasses a small laundry zone that's been thoughtfully future-proofed. The washing machine and dryer have been elevated for accessibility, so there's no need to stoop.
Detached from the primary living spaces, the 20-foot-long (6m) Pod unit is Brenda's office and sewing space. The self-contained annexe offers privacy from the main tiny house when needed and a valuable extra place to pursue hobbies in the couple's retirement.
A large deck unites the two structures, capped by a structural awning that reads as a continuation of the home's tin roof. It shields an outdoor dining and living area from the sun and extends the tiny home's livable space.
When Wilma and Greg retired in July 2021, they decided to swap their lives in New York for the sunny climes of the Philippines, where their retirement dollars would stretch further than in the US.
The couple initially relocated to the island of Leyte where Wilma's family is from, before setting out to find the perfect piece of land to build their dream home. After almost a year of searching, Wilma and Greg purchased their ocean-view plot in Dauin on the island of Negros Oriental for the equivalent of $32,727 (£25k).
Wilma and Greg designed the house themselves, mapping out what they wanted on paper before their architect took care of the engineering and translated their plans into reality. At each stage of their homebuilding journey, they documented their progress on their YouTube channel Building the Philippines.
The structure of the contemporary three-bedroom house cost around $60,000 (£46k) to build – a fraction of the price of constructing a home in the US.
Inside, the home is light-filled and airy. The open-plan kitchen, dining area and lounge features 12-foot-high (3.7m) ceilings and crisp white walls. The kitchen is fitted out with streamlined white cabinetry, a splashback, a fridge, a cooker with an extractor hood and a breakfast island.
Characterful barn-style doors give the modern home plenty of personality and the couple also commissioned a number of custom cabinets that channel the same rustic charm.
Eager to make the home as self-sufficient as possible, Wilma and Greg added a solar power system that supplies their electricity. They also installed a generator to help power the house during periodic blackouts on the island, as well as four air-conditioning units to keep the interior cool.
Pictured here is one of the home's two bathrooms, complete with a vanity and a large walk-in shower. It's accessed via the couple's walk-in wardrobe, which features cubbies for Wilma's handbag collection and accessories, along with plenty of space to hang clothes and store shoes.
Outside, the tranquil yard cascades in steps down the hillside. The rocky terrain needed to be excavated before the area could be landscaped and this beautiful swimming pool installed. The pool cost the equivalent of $14,545 (£11k) – around the same price as the wall that encircles the property.
While Wilma and Greg budgeted $150,000 (£114k) for the entire build, they completed the whole project for an impressive $141,652 (£108k), which included the land, legal costs, construction, interior fit-out and furnishings.
Almost 10 years ago, Rudolf and Maria Janssen decided to retire to an apartment in Munich. However, when Rudolf’s health took a turn for the worse, the pair decided that a bespoke house would be much better suited to their living situation.
"It was clear that we wanted to build our own home, and a prefabricated house made of wood was the only design in question," says Maria.
The pair enlisted German company WeberHaus, a specialist self-build package home provider, to help them bring their forever home to life.
Now complete, the stunning timber house is sleek and modern, with each element designed and cut to size in the company's factory.
The innovative house features a barrier-free layout, making the living spaces completely accessible.
Each of the doors in the house features a flush, level finish, allowing Rupert to move around the house independently in his wheelchair. There's also a lift so Rupert can easily navigate the home's floors.
The entire house is decorated in a sleek, minimalist style. White walls and pale wood flooring frame light and airy accommodation that's perfect for Rupert and Maria's needs. "The best thing about our house is that it is clearly structured, compact and bright," says the couple.
In addition to the elegant, contemporary décor, the views from the house are incredible. The property has been orientated to make the most of the rolling rural vistas – one of the main reasons that the couple snapped up the scenic plot.
The bathroom includes a walk-in shower, making it completely accessible for Rudolf.
Energy efficiency was another important priority for the Janssens. "We had enormous costs in our old house and definitely wanted to lower them," says Rudolf. A thermally-efficient structure with plenty of insulation keeps the heat in, while a heat pump and solar panels further bolster the house’s green credentials.
Mr Zhan, a retired airline worker, and his wife, a former neonatal nurse, wanted to build an unconventional home in their native Taiwan where they could enjoy their golden years together. The couple approached architect Urdaneta Zeberio of Spanish firm UZ Architecture to help them with the project, who they knew through their daughter.
The Zhans were very open-minded about the design and wanted to create a truly unique home. "They were looking to build something special, different from what they saw around Taiwan", explains Zeberio.
Craving peace and tranquility, the couple purchased a plot in a private mountain community in rural Miaoli County in the west of Taiwan – a dramatic change of pace from their former lives in Taipei City.
The location's narrow access roads proved a challenge when it came to transporting materials to the site. Consequently, the architects opted for a prefabricated metal structure that was easier to manoeuvre.
Completed in 2018, the architecturally daring house cantilevers over the valley below, minimising the impact on the rugged terrain.
Most impressive of all, the home was built for just $120,000 (£93k), which included the foundations and roadworks, plus the kitchen and bathrooms.
Captured here by photographer Addison Ow, the 1,087-square-foot (101sqm) house is airy and light-filled thanks to its pitched roof and swathes of windows. Simple architectural symmetry creates clean, crisp living spaces while keeping the cost of the project within the couple's tight budget.
Taiwan's climate is notoriously hot and humid, so the home was covered in 3.9 inches (10cm) of insulation to help regulate the internal temperature and keep the living spaces cool.
A special aluminium coating that reflects solar radiation was added to the exterior too, while the largest spans of glazing across the structure's north and south façades are shielded from direct sun by the overhang of the gabled roof.
A paved terrace leads out from the kitchen, while the home's cantilever carves out space for a second patio and covered parking spot below. From these vantage points, the couple can soak up the sights and sounds of the mountains and enjoy their retirement in the heart of nature.
The Zhans' forever home is appropriately called DH House. "The main requirement from the client was to make a Dream House, so we decided to keep that as part of the name," explains Zeberio.
When they thought about their retirement, Franz and Karen Hartmann knew they wanted to stay on the Toronto block they'd called home since 1998. "What most people do is sell their house and move somewhere else," Karen told Canadian magazine Toronto Life. "We started to think of how we could stay in the neighbourhood and age in place."
Changes to zoning bylaws at the time led the couple to an ingenious solution: constructing a secondary home in their backyard, known in Canada as a laneway house. The idea was to retire to the new home and rent out their primary property for extra income.
While the pandemic initially derailed their schedule, construction began in the summer of 2021 and the garage at the rear of their home was replaced with a beautiful, eco-friendly house just six months later.
The couple's ambitious retirement plan was brought to life with the help of architect Monica Kuhn and construction firm South Park Design Build, who specialise in luxury custom homes and renovations. The total build cost was around CA$550,000 ($389k/£295k), and it's fair to say that the Hartmanns are delighted with the completed property.
The 1,200-square-foot (111sqm) home features a custom-built kitchen with quartz countertops, two-tone cabinetry and downlighting fitted beneath the upper cabinets.
Franz was an environmental advisor to a former Toronto councillor so the home's eco credentials were especially important to the couple. Consequently, the house features impressive insulation that helps reduce energy usage, as well as carefully selected energy-efficient appliances including their fridge, stove, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and heat pump.
Lined with hardwood floors, the home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an airy, open-plan living area on the main floor.
The design incorporated a number of details to future-proof the house, including wider doorways that can accommodate a wheelchair and a wider staircase that could be retrofitted with a stairlift if needed.
The Hartmanns decided to rent out the laneway house until they were ready to move in, leasing the property to a couple they knew in February 2022 for CA$£3,200 ($2.3k/£1.7k) per month.
The bathroom pictured here features accessible additions including a large walk-in shower enclosure with a wide, flush entrance.
With their tenants having moved out and Karen approaching full retirement, the couple intends to permanently relocate to the laneway house by mid-May 2025 and rent out their primary home.
The Hartmanns' project has inspired other homeowners in the neighbourhood to utilise their excess land. Following their home's construction, ground broke on another laneway house on their block.
Ian and Julie Perrin were looking for the perfect place to retire to when they discovered the historic market town of Montgomery in the Welsh county of Powys in the UK.
"My grandparents came from this part of the world," says Ian. "We sat in the square eating ice cream and said, I think we could be happy living here." The only thing they were missing was their dream house.
The pair spotted a patch of land for sale on the edge of town, but because of its awkward sloping terrain, they were unsure they’d be able to build on it.
However, coming across UK homebuilding company Welsh Oak Frame at a self-build exhibition, they had their hope renewed. Embarking on an ambitious project, the end result was this stunning stone-clad house.
Six months into the self-build project, the frame was delivered to site from Welsh Oak Frame's factory. "It was really exciting for us," says Julie. "The crane lifting the great timbers caused quite a spectacle. It took about three weeks to get the main structure up and then we really felt like we had a house."
The couple worked closely with the company's design team on the floor plan of the property. They chose to leave elements of the wooden structure exposed, creating a homely, rustic feel.
Julie and Ian’s plot sloped diagonally upwards and their neighbour’s pipe ran right through the middle of the site, so there were a few obstacles to overcome. Yet, they’ve been able to create a stunning home that makes the most of the plot's gorgeous surroundings.
In the bedroom, a glazed gable frames incredible vistas of the rolling countryside. Imagine waking up to that view!
The kitchen, like the rest of the rooms in the house, features exposed oak detailing, while sleek, streamlined kitchen units add a modern twist.
Julie and Ian are delighted with their forever home. "We’re both very happy living here," Ian says. "We’ve got the house we wanted in the town we wanted to live in."
After knowing each other for more than 20 years, this group of seven friends joked about creating a home together for their retirement.
Filmed as part of a documentary for the Chinese YouTube channel Yitiao, they put their plans into action in 2018 and began their hunt for the perfect plot for their bespoke home.
The friends purchased what was originally a rundown redbrick property, determined to give the building a new lease of life as their forever home.
Featuring breathtaking views across the verdant countryside of China’s Guangzhou province, this gorgeous three-storey home is the result of their efforts.
As well as the addition of a striking glass box extension, the once-dilapidated property has been transformed with a fresh coat of white render, giving the home a crisp, modern finish.
Accommodation is spread across three and a half storeys, with a mix of airy communal living areas and more private spaces.
The roomy kitchen-diner is situated on the first floor of the property and offers a spacious zone for the friends to socialise. Plenty of seating is provided at the dining table and breakfast bar to accommodate their families too. High ceilings and sleek modern finishes complete the contemporary scheme.
This jaw-dropping floating tearoom is the house’s pièce de résistance. Innovative floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides of the cantilevered box ensures the far-reaching vistas take centre stage. Overhead, a bamboo ceiling adds tactile warmth to the space.
The friends’ bedrooms are situated across the upper floors of the house. Large windows allow each resident to make the most of the sublime views across the surrounding paddy fields. Each of the private zones also features its own seating area for kicking back and relaxing.
Mickey Green, a silk and printmaker, and her husband Terry had built a dedicated work studio in their back garden back in the 1990s. Over the years, the couple pondered building a new home in the large garden too, where they could enjoy a relaxed retirement together.
With restricted access to the plot, there were various obstacles to overcome, however, they found a way to build their dream home in their backyard.
The couple decided to go for a prefab house design from UK housebuilder Facit Homes. Opting for a factory-built home that could easily be transported and pieced together on-site, the plot’s access issues were no problem.
The end result is a stunning, modern home tucked away in the woods.
Having lived in a Victorian end-of-terrace for the last 25 years, Terry and Mickey were keen to create a high-tech home with plenty of eco-friendly features.
"We wanted something that was well insulated with low energy costs," says Terry. "We went for a design where the house would be built on the flat part of the plot so we’d be looking out onto the garden like a kind of amphitheatre."
The pair tailored the layout to their day-to-day needs, deciding on an open-plan kitchen-living-dining zone with a large central island with built-in storage. Sleek black fixtures with copper detailing make the space feel modern and luxurious.
Industrial touches abound throughout the minimalist property, with concrete-effect flooring extending throughout the living spaces and sleek, streamlined furnishings.
Like Mickey’s print studio, Terry’s office area is on the first floor of the house, offering a peaceful escape from the sociable living area downstairs. Meanwhile, the couple's bedroom is located on the ground floor of the property to future-proof the layout for years to come.
The couple is delighted with the result: "We’re very positive about the whole experience. We’d urge other potential self-builders to go ahead with it," Terry says.
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