Best Of 65+ Enchanting Kbb Kitchen Design For Agining In Place With Many New Styles

Creating a home that is aging in place friendly, or able to be safely used by people of all ages and physical abilities, means taking extra precautions when remodeling. Widening doorways and hallways is a great way to ensure the flow of movement in a home for anyone navigating it. This can involve widening the door frames to fit wheelchairs and walkers and even widening the entire hallway for more easy access.

However, this doesn’t have to compromise the look or style of the home. Transition strips can be used to blend in the different widths that now exist in the doorway, or it can even be painted the same color as the door frames to twitch the transition more subtly. Care needs to be taken to ensure that any widening of a doorway and hallway is done safely with sturdy support, but the difference can be a great way to make a home more accessible for those aging in place.

Countertop height is another area that should taken into consideration when designing a kitchen for someone aging in place. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) standards recommend countertop heights of 28 to 34 inches from the floor, allowing for a more comfortable work surface for those working from a wheelchair or who have difficulty bending over for long periods of time. Cabinets underneath the countertops should also be lowered slightly to allow for easy access to items stored in them.

In terms of materials, look for surfaces that are easy to clean and non-porous. Natural stone surfaces are great for their ease of cleaning but can also be slippery, which can be dangerous to maneuver over for those with mobility issues. To combat this, look for countertop materials such as quartz and level-5 granite that come with a non-slip coating or have a coarse surface.

When designing an aging in place kitchen, one should consider the various ways a person may use the kitchen. Task lighting, such as pot lights or under-cabinet lighting, can be used to easily highlight countertops and other areas of the kitchen, making cooking and food preparation easier on the eyes. Appliances should be chosen with ease of use in mind. This includes silent openers for drawers and cabinets that can be operated with a single touch. Additionally, appliances should be placed strategically throughout the kitchen vicinity.

When it comes to color, the best option for this kitchen style is light hues such as whites or beiges. This allows for a large amount of natural light to flow in and can create the illusion of a larger space. Additionally, the contrast between light walls, cabinets, and countertops is easier on people with low vision.

When designing a kitchen for someone aging in place, wheelchair accessibility can be a challenge. Creating an open plan kitchen helps to prevent any tight corners for a wheelchair to navigate. It is also important to keep countertops and cabinets lower in order to make them more accessible, while keeping any hard to reach items higher up for safety. Countertops with rounded edges are also helpful to quickly access curved corners for easy navigation.

In terms of lighting, the kitchen should be bright and free of any glare. Additionally, specular reflections should be avoided by facing any shiny surfaces away from the user. Illuminated switches are also preferable for ease of access and visibility.

When designing a kitchen that is aging in place friendly, designing for visibility of items is key. Adding accessories such as labeled drawers or drawers with built-in dividers help to create distinct sections. This helps to make the cooking process more intuitive for someone aging in place. Additionally, open shelving can be used to easily access items without having to bend down or search through cluttered cabinets.

Kitchen islands are also great for adding additional prep space, while still providing extra mobility when needed. Islands with pull out tables are also helpful for wheelchair accessibility, allowing for more space when needed. Consider installing a pull out or rotating shelf on one of the cabinets as well. This can help to extend the amount of usable counter space without taking away from the overall layout of the kitchen.

There are several kitchen design changes you can make that make a home more accessible for seniors. Installing drawer dividers, pull out shelves, and roll out shelves are all helpful in maximizing the countertop space and ease of access to items. Additionally, elements such as hands-free faucets, lever handles, and easy to reach utensil drawers all help to make the kitchen easier to navigate.

When designing a kitchen aging in place, incorporating quick release hinges on the cabinets can allow them to swing out, helping them to accommodate those in wheelchairs. You may also want to consider installing a base cabinet in the kitchen island, with a top counter height, allowing for easy access to the kitchen island for those in wheelchairs.

When planning an aging in place kitchen, it is important to plan ahead for any foreseeable difficulties or issues. Think through the individual needs of the user and prepare for any potential scenarios that could arise. Ensure that storage is easily accessible and consider additional features such as adjustable shelving and wider doorways.

It is also important to incorporate additional storage if needed. Think about areas where items such as assistive devices, canes, or walkers can be stored. This may include pull out drawers and adjustable shelves that are able to accommodate a variety of items. Additionally, installing drawers that can slide underneath the kitchen island can open up more space and make the area easier to maneuver.

Pull-down shelves in the kitchen cabinets are a great way to make a kitchen more accessible to someone aging in place. By using shelves that can be easily pulled down, items that are stored higher up in the cabinet become easier to access. Another option is to install shelves with adjustable heights, allowing the user to choose the level in which they want to store items.

Pull-down shelves are also useful when it comes to cooking. Larger, non-perishable items such as stand mixers and food processors can be stored up high and easily pulled down when needed. This also allows for more counter space, making prepping and cooking easier. When adding pull-down shelves to the kitchen, be sure to incorporate sturdy, shock-absorbing materials to keep them securely in place.

Creating an aging in place kitchen can be a challenge, but with careful planning and attention to detail, it can be done. Careful consideration should be taken when selecting appliances, countertops, cabinets, and storage options. Additionally, accessible features such as pot fillers, sliding shelves, and hands-free faucets should also be incorporated into the design.

When it comes to lighting, try to use a variety of lighting sources such as task lights and overhead lights. Having multiple types of lighting allows for better visibility throughout the space. Additionally, a good lighting plan should accommodate the needs of low vision and those with difficulty seeing color. Adding grab bars, walk-in showers, and non-skid flooring are all helpful when designing an aging in place kitchen.

To optimize an aging in place kitchen, consider replacing front-controller ranges with those that use rear-controller technology. Front-controller ranges require users to reach over to the front of the unit to turn knobs to control the heat. This can cause difficulties for those with mobility issues and can make the cooking process more awkward. Rear-controller ranges, on the other hand, have knobs mounted on the backsplash or rear of the unit, making them easier to access.

Additionally, it may be beneficial to choose ranges with electronic touchpad controls. This type of control allows a user to easily input the desired settings with a simple touch and can be helpful for those with low vision. Another option is to look for ranges with digital cooking controls that are voice or text activated.

When designing an aging in place kitchen, accessibility should be at the forefront of the design. Elements such as adjustable cabinets and counters, pull-out shelves, and easy-to-reach utensil drawers should all be included. Additionally, make sure to incorporate task lighting, hands-free fixtures, and grab bars to make the kitchen safer and easier to navigate.

Lastly, don’t forget to think about color. Incorporating light colors such as whites or beiges can open up the space and make it easier to see throughout the kitchen. The contrast between the light walls, cabinets, and countertops can also be beneficial to those with low vision, helping to distinguish the items in the kitchen better.