Kitchen Safety: Designing for Accessibility

It’s no secret that all of us age. And that’s okay! However as we get older, our houses ought to adapt to our altering wants if we would like the choice to stay in our houses as our bodily wants change.  One of the vital essential areas of change to deal with is the kitchen, our central hub for day by day duties. Whether or not you might be planning forward to your golden years, or simply seeking to accommodate the wants of older members of the family, transforming your kitchen with accessibility in thoughts is a great funding.  

On this weblog, we’ll discover the important thing issues to contemplate for this kind of rework, in addition to design ideas for making a secure and accessible kitchen that permits you and yours to age in place! 

Why rework for accessibility?

Earlier than we dive into the transforming course of, it’s vital to grasp the importance of making an accessible kitchen. Growing old in place or residing independently in your house as you get older is a purpose for many individuals. An accessible kitchen can play a pivotal function in attaining this goal for a number of causes: 

Security: The chance of accidents and accidents within the kitchen are already current however will increase as we age. An accessible kitchen minimizes hazards and gives a safer setting. 
Independence: An accessible kitchen empowers owners to proceed getting ready their meals, making independence and self-sufficiency a tangible idea. 
Consolation: Making the kitchen extra accessible ensures that it’s going to stay comfy and practical, permitting you to take pleasure in your house absolutely. 

Now, let’s discover some key components to contemplate to your rework. 

Common Design Rules 

Common design is an strategy to create areas and merchandise accessible to folks of all ages and talents. Incorporating this into your rework could make it extra adaptable. Listed below are some ideas to bear in mind. 

Large doorways/hallways: Be certain that doorways and paths resulting in the kitchen are extensive sufficient to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. 
Low-threshold entries: Reduce or eradicate (if doable) any steps or thresholds at entry factors to the kitchen to stop tripping or falling. 
Adjustable counter tops: Think about counter tops that may be raised or lowered to accommodate varied customers’ heights and wishes. 
Lever handles: Use lever-style door and tap handles, that are simpler to understand than conventional knobs and pulls. 
Open shelving: This permits for simpler entry to kitchen gadgets and reduces the necessity to bend or attain. 
Add a chair top pull-out board subsequent to the oven for simple switch of a sizzling dish or to be used as a helpful extra chopping/ work floor. 

Flooring and Lighting 

Non-slip flooring: Select flooring supplies that present traction and are slip resistant to scale back the chance of slips and falls. Keep away from small rugs or mats that may grow to be tripping hazards. 
Satisfactory lighting: Be certain that the house is nicely lit, particularly in work areas. Activity lighting is nice for illuminating particular work zones. 

Accessible Cupboards and Storage

Pull-out cabinets: Putting in these in decrease cupboards makes it simpler to succeed in pots, pans, and different gadgets, decreasing the necessity to bend or stretch. 
Lazy Susans: A lazy Susan in nook cupboards gives quick access to gadgets that might in any other case be difficult to succeed in in deep cupboard recesses. 
Accessible heights: Preserve your ceaselessly used gadgets at an accessible height, avoiding the necessity to use step stools or attain overhead. 

Home equipment and Fixtures 

Facet-by-side fridge: The sort of fridge permits simpler entry to each the freezer and fridge compartments, decreasing reaching and bending. 
Wall ovens: A wall oven positioned at a cushty top eliminates the necessity to bend down, inflicting potential for burns or damage. 
Induction cooktops: These are a secure possibility as a result of they solely heatd the cookware, not the encircling floor. Additionally they normally characteristic contact controls, which may be simpler for individuals who have points with dexterity. 
Touchless taps: These taps are handy and hygienic, decreasing the necessity to twist or flip handles. Additionally they don’t should be cleaned as ceaselessly. 

Security Options 

Anti-scald units: These stop burns from sizzling water.  
Fireplace security: Be certain that smoke detectors and fireplace extinguishers are readily accessible within the kitchen. 
Drawer/cupboard locks: If there are kids or grandchildren visiting, these things stop entry to doubtlessly dangerous gadgets. 

Seating and Workspaces 

Multi-height counter tops: Incorporate counter tops at various heights, together with a seated workspace for individuals who choose to sit down whereas working. 

Ergonomic chairs: Select chairs that present ergonomic designs and correct lumbar assist for consolation. 

Open flooring plans: If doable, design the house with an open kitchen format to permit for ease of motion and adaptability within the house. Whether or not or not a wheelchair or walker are presently in use, it’s good to plan for a future doable want. 

Seek the advice of with a Skilled 

Whereas these design ideas are a place to begin, it’s important to work with knowledgeable designer or remodeler skilled in kitchen design. They can assist you create a custom-made plan that takes your wants into consideration. 

Reworking your kitchen for accessibility is not only a sensible funding, however it is usually a step in direction of guaranteeing your consolation, security, and independence as you age gracefully in place. By incorporating common design ideas, addressing flooring and lighting, optimizing your storage, deciding on the suitable home equipment, being acutely aware of security options, and creating comfy workspaces, you’ll be able to remodel your kitchen into an area that meets your evolving wants.  

With the proper design and modifications, your kitchen can proceed to be the center of your house for years to return, permitting you to benefit from the familiarity and luxury of your house. Name Kitchen Magic at (866) 525-0012 to learn the way we can assist you obtain a kitchen that can age with you!