How To Create a Kitchen That is Accessible for Everyone

Making your house safe and accessible for everyone is a crucial step in making that space a lovely home. A home remodel with proper planning and design can make things happen for any family member who needs extra help, whether a person with disabilities, a senior, or a small child.

When improving accessibility, it’s important to evaluate each room throughout the house, considering the necessary adjustments, purchases, and elements. Difficulties using the bathroom and kitchen were the most commonly reported challenges within the home. Make a note of this statistic and start from there!

This is your sign to focus on the details and consider an accessible kitchen remodel specifically. We provide insider information on all the steps you can take to make your kitchen more accessible.

Preparing for an Accessible Kitchen Remodel

Many things can affect the accessibility in a specific space, from flooring to appliances. When planning a kitchen remodel, you should account for a loved one’s access to each part of the kitchen and its elements, which should be tailored and chosen according to their specific needs.

As professionals in the construction industry, our team at Bluegrass Haven created a foolproof list of considerations for a kitchen remodel that promotes inclusivity and accessibility and an open space with all the right elements tailored for people in need.

Design an Appropriate Layout

The first step in planning an accessible kitchen remodel is designing an appropriate layout for the kitchen. Planning an open, easily accessible space with efficient multi-functional elements will allow people to enter and move around the kitchen freely without boundaries while using every available tool or accessible appliance in the room. A proper kitchen remodel for accessibility lies in the details. Trust the Bluegrass Haven team to help choose doors, flooring, lighting, hardware, and other kitchen elements and appliances specifically made for people with difficulties accessing them.

Consider The Doors and Hallways

According to AHS, 6% of U.S. households reported difficulty entering their home and accessing or using the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom because of a condition. Choosing the right type of door with appropriate width will make a wheelchair user feel welcome and comfortable to use and explore the kitchen. For example, installing doors with widths bigger than 36” and lever-style door handles will undoubtedly improve accessibility.

Hallways should be wider and kept clean of clutter and unnecessary elements. Minimize or eliminate thresholds between rooms for extra safety, or install ramps to make them wheelchair-friendly.

Pick Appropriate Flooring

While it is important to keep an open space for accessibility, it’s also important to choose the right flooring to make it safe enough for people in need. Pick the appropriate flooring for your kitchen and choose hard but smooth, non-slip materials that are easy to clean and maintain. This includes textured vinyl, rubber, or ceramic tiles.

Avoid placing carpets or tripping hazards. A change of materials can interrupt the free movement of a person with disabilities and cause unwanted accidents.

Opt for Accessible Countertops and Cabinets

Maximizing accessibility for elements important for everyday use in the kitchen is crucial for older people, wheelchair users, or people with dexterity problems. Making the right choice when purchasing and installing countertops and cabinets will allow people with disabilities easy and comfortable access to cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. Look for adjustable cabinets with manual and electrical fixtures that can easily be raised or lowered so the person in need can adjust them at a height that feels comfortable. If you already installed countertops at a lower-than-average level, ensure they have gliding shelves and enough storage space to fit all the kitchen necessities.

Pick the Right Accessible Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks are essentials for food preparation and cleaning, which is why they’re a key element in an accessible kitchen remodel. When looking for a new sink, make sure it is adjustable, has multi-purpose features, and has the right faucet type, to ensure your loved one’s independence in the kitchen. Opt for a wall-mounted or adjustable sink up to 34 inches off the floor, with the right basin depth. This allows for usage without extra effort and a lever or touchless faucet for people with dexterity problems.

Choose the Right Hardware and Lighting

A well-lit space with easily usable hardware will make all the difference for the visually impaired and people with dexterity issues. When picking handles and knobs, go for non-traditional knobs or u-shaped or pull handles that allow pulling instead of gripping for easier access. Ditch the traditional and use the power of technology and smart lighting. This will enable people to use voice commands to turn lights on and off. If that’s out of your price range, ensure every kitchen area is well-lit and visible, while keeping the light switches low and easy to access.

Use Different Safety Features

A person with disabilities will feel safer and more comfortable by knowing that the kitchen is personalized to their needs, and you can accomplish that with a few adjustments to the kitchen’s design. You can prevent falling and slipping accidents by incorporating simple safety features that allow for safer movement in the kitchen, such as grab bars and rounded counter edges.

Grab bars will allow wheelchair users and people with limited movement to rely on something other than their strength in the moment of an accident. Install the grab bars in entryways, near the sink or stove, so your loved one has something to rely on. On the other hand, rounded counters can serve as support or protect your loved ones from harm in a busy kitchen.

Consult our trusted constructors at Bluegrass Haven for a personalized kitchen remodel and install safety features to make your family feel safer.

Choose Accessible Appliances

One of the most important things to consider when planning an accessible kitchen remodel is the types of appliances and their place in the kitchen for easy access. Different appliances call for different placements and measurements for accessibility issues. For example, big fridges with a high build and heavy doors won’t be easy to access, so choose a smaller one with a single door and pull-out drawers placed closer to the ground for better access. Choose ovens and dishwashers with side-opening doors and other front-control appliances with easy-to-use controls and buttons to enable users’ stress-free everyday use.

We Deliver Quality Work

If you’re considering making your kitchen more accessible and don’t know where to start, let Bluegrass Haven lead the way. We’ll handle all aspects of the remodeling process, ensuring that your new kitchen not only meets your expectations but also becomes a cornerstone of accessibility in your home. Reach out to us today, and take the first step towards a kitchen that truly feels like the heart of your home, welcoming and accessible to all.