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

On this weblog, we’ll discover the important thing issues to contemplate for this sort of transform, in addition to design rules for making a protected and accessible kitchen that enables you and yours to age in place! 

 

Why transform for accessibility?

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

1. 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 supplies a safer setting. 

1. Independence: An accessible kitchen empowers owners to proceed making ready their meals, making independence and self-sufficiency a tangible idea. 

1. Consolation: Making the kitchen extra accessible ensures that it’ll stay comfy and practical, permitting you to take pleasure in your property totally. 

Now, let’s discover some key parts to contemplate on your transform. 

 

Common Design Rules 

Common design is an method to create areas and merchandise accessible to individuals of all ages and talents. Incorporating this into your transform could make it extra adaptable. Listed below are some ideas to remember. 

• Huge doorways/hallways: Make sure that doorways and paths resulting in the kitchen are broad sufficient to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. 
• Low-threshold entries: Decrease or eradicate (if doable) any steps or thresholds at entry factors to the kitchen to stop tripping or falling. 
• Adjustable counter tops: Take into account 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 enables for simpler entry to kitchen gadgets and reduces the necessity to bend or attain. 
• Add a chair peak pull-out board subsequent to the oven for simple switch of a scorching dish or to be used as a useful further chopping/ work floor. 

 

Flooring and Lighting 

• Non-slip flooring: Select flooring supplies that present traction and are slip resistant to cut back the danger of slips and falls. Keep away from small rugs or mats that may turn out to be tripping hazards. 
• Sufficient lighting: Make sure that the house is nicely lit, particularly in work areas. Job 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 achieve pots, pans, and different gadgets, decreasing the necessity to bend or stretch. 
• Lazy Susans: A lazy Susan in nook cupboards supplies easy accessibility to gadgets that may in any other case be difficult to achieve in deep cupboard recesses. 
• Accessible heights: Hold your often used gadgets at an accessible height, avoiding the necessity to use step stools or attain overhead. 

 

Home equipment and Fixtures 

• Aspect-by-side fridge: Any such fridge permits simpler entry to each the freezer and fridge compartments, decreasing reaching and bending. 
• Wall ovens: A wall oven positioned at a snug peak eliminates the necessity to bend down, inflicting potential for burns or harm. 
• Induction cooktops: These are a protected choice as a result of they solely heatd the cookware, not the encompassing floor. Additionally they normally function 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 must be cleaned as often. 

 

Security Options 

• Anti-scald units: These forestall burns from scorching water.  
• Hearth security: Make sure that smoke detectors and fireplace extinguishers are readily accessible within the kitchen. 
• Drawer/cupboard locks: If there are kids or grandchildren visiting, these things forestall entry to probably dangerous gadgets. 

 

Seating and Workspaces 

Multi-height counter tops: Incorporate counter tops at various heights, together with a seated workspace for individuals who want to take a seat whereas working. 

Ergonomic chairs: Select chairs that present ergonomic designs and correct lumbar help 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 at present in use, it’s good to plan for a future doable want. 

 

Seek the advice of with a Skilled 

Whereas these design rules are a place to begin, it’s important to work with knowledgeable designer or remodeler skilled in kitchen design. They might help you create a personalized plan that takes your wants into consideration. 

Reworking your kitchen for accessibility is not only a sensible funding, however additionally it is a step in the direction of guaranteeing your consolation, security, and independence as you age gracefully in place. By incorporating common design rules, addressing flooring and lighting, optimizing your storage, choosing the suitable home equipment, being acutely aware of security options, and creating comfy workspaces, you possibly can rework your kitchen into an area that meets your evolving wants.  

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