Being short is sort of subjective. If a person is more than two standard deviations below their population, they are considered short. You know if you are short. You don't have to do a lot of math. People will tell you that you will experience silly little indignities, like not being able to reach the bar to cling to on a packed bus, and getting bumped around because some taller asshole.
If you are short, you also know that there can be little indignities in your own home. It's disgusting. There are some things you can look for when searching for a new place.
If you are a shorty looking to get a new place, you have to visit them all in person. It is important in big urban markets where renting is very competitive.
You can't tell from photos. Jessica Bordelon said it was impossible to tell height from photos. She said it was vital that you put your hand above your head in all the areas of a prospective home and make sure that the things you will need to access, like cabinets, are easy for you to touch. Do you really want to be doing that every day for the duration of your time in the place? You go check out homes in person because of that.
When building an apartment, vaulted ceilings are usually a sign that there is a lot of vertical space in the apartment and that's why the cabinets in the kitchen and the closet were built with that in mind. A more compact apartment is less likely to have shelving that is difficult to reach.
A lot of storage space is a luxury, but it is useless if it is not used. You won't be able to do much construction in a place that you're renting, so don't go there. There is no fix for the issue.
You know the scene in Beauty and the Beast where the girl is on a ladder? Barnes & Noble has had those things for a long time. Imagine where you might put a structural change in your home. A mobile ladder on a track adds a ton of class that a regular ladder or step stool can't match, and it gives you a chance to build some vertical shelving you will actually use.
Bordelon said that if it is a track ladder, it is always there. Attach a towel holder or a spice rack with a door built into the side. You will already be spending money on the construction, so you should make it as efficient as possible.
Bordelon said to look for a home that has longer cabinets instead of small ones that are stacked vertically, so you don't have to haul out the step ladder or go into gymnast mode.
The kitchen will cause more problems than just your cabinets. Walk over to the bar or island. Pretend you are preparing dinner. Are the flat surfaces too high for you? A kitchen renovation can cost thousands of dollars, so while you could gut the room and have a contractor put in counters and flat surfaces that work better for your height, consider whether that investment is worth it. If this isn't your dream home or a place you want to stay in for a long time, it's worth checking out other places with counter space.
Bar seating is an issue for shorties in the kitchen. If the bar is too high, you will need to put big, tall stools under it. Do you really want to have to climb up there if you stay in this home until you are in your 60s?
When looking for a home, Bordelon advised thinking about longevity. If you want to be there for a while, you will need to make changes so the kitchen stays comfortable and usable as you get older. You will always be short, but remember that one day you will be old and short.
Bordelon is a homeowner and a person on the shorter side. She explained that she is 5 foot 1 inch tall, and when she bought her home, she took it over from a tall couple who had various household structures that were designed for tall people.
She said the bathroom mirror was the biggest hurdle. It was too tall for her to see herself, so if you're looking for a home, make sure you check out all the mirrors that are installed. There was an outlet under the original mirror that was covered by her new lower mirror.
It is slightly easier to fix the shower head. Some shower heads are out of the reach of shorter people, but standing on the ledge of the bathtub to adjust them can be dangerous. A new shower head is a small cost, but can add up when you consider your other expenses. If the list of possible expenses gets too long, consider looking at other places.
Do you have a ceiling fan? If you're short, you should go ahead and see if you can reach the pull cord. You will need to add a longer cord to your list. Walk around and check the outlets while you are at it. Are they reachable?
Take a look at where your stuff will go. Is there enough storage space? Is the spot above the mantle too high for you to be able to reach your television? Are there a lot of places you need to hire tall handy people to attach your stuff? Is it possible to reach all the ceiling lights with a ladder, or is it necessary to call in someone bigger to do the work? Over time, little expenses can become a big annoyance.
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