Imagine your kitchen in your home having a little more maneuverability. Imagine having a little more ease on accessing what you need. Imagine being able to use all your surfaces, cabinets, appliances no matter your function, ability or age. But what does that mean? What does that look like? How can you incorporate ideas and concepts that keep your style, design, and life what you like?
Remodeling your kitchen for universal design can be an easy and fun project. There are a lot of ideas and concepts you can incorporate into your kitchen that can accommodate anyone’s needs. Here at ADL Solutions, located in Tempe AZ, this is what we do day in and day out. We help people remodel their homes so they are able to age in place, as well as fit their current needs or disability related needs. So here are a few ideas that you can do, (or hire someone to do), to give your kitchen an uplift or upgrade to a universal design look.
Kitchen.
Raised base cabinets can make it easier when having to bend over to get pots, pans, dishes out of your cabinet. It also leaves room for a foot rest of a wheelchair to get under.
Pull out work surfaces allow someone in a wheelchair to have access to a cutting board or countertop from a seated position. Having different surfaces with different heights allows anyone to be able to use the kitchen area.
Remove threshold areas to allow barrier-free entry and exiting from the room.
Non-skid flooring provides a safe environment no matter your age, or disability.
Having single lever faucets and pulls rather than knobs on cabinets and drawers are easier to grip.
Drawer appliances- several manufacturers offer dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and freezers in pull-out are installed below the counter, keeping them within easy reach.
There are ADA compliant appliances from several different manufacturers that you can install in your kitchen. They come with different guidelines and features so that someone in a wheelchair, using a walker, or someone who is able bodied can use them. Here are a few examples:
Ranges, cooktops, and dishwashers have a maximum high forward reach of 48 inches for controls, and a maximum low forward reach of 15 inches.
Controls must be operable with one hand without the need for tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
Top-freezer refrigerators must have 100% of the fresh food space below 54 inches and 50% of the freezer space below 54 inches.
These are just a few ideas that you can do to remodel your kitchen in your home with universal design. If you have any questions or want to know feel free to contact our office in Tempe AZ at 480-636-1816. We are here to be a service to the community and help people get their needs met. We are a vendor for several manufacturers who offer these types of products and appliances listed above. So whatever your needs are we can find a solution that will work for you and your budget.