It’s A Family Affair
COVID-19 has transformed the role and functionality of modern kitchens. While the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, it now serves multiple roles: classroom, office, hobby center, restaurant, study, game room, and conference room. More often, homeowners are creating the kitchen of their dreams for the long term, including design considerations for a multi-generational household and aging-in-place. Aging-in-place is the term to create spaces that anyone can use regardless of age, physical condition, or mobility, employing universal design principles.
Access is a key to universal design. Open floor plan kitchens are ideal for multi-generational and aging-in-place kitchen use because they typically provide access to other living spaces and feature multiple pathways that can accommodate those who use a wheelchair or need a walker. When homeowners request a kitchen where they can age-in-place, we look at entryways into the kitchen. If we can eliminate doors, that’s great. If not, we determine if they can be expanded. Most doorways are 24 inches wide. You need at least 36 inches to accommodate a wheelchair.
Floorcoverings are another important consideration of a universally designed kitchen. Concrete, tiles, and other hard surfaces can strain hips, back, and knees. Therefore, we often recommend a textured small format ceramic or nonslip tile or wood, vinyl, or linoleum.
Countertop, cabinet and appliance height, reach, and safety considerations are also addressed in a universally designed kitchen. For example, multi-level or adjustable countertops with rounded corners eliminate the possibility of a family member being injured by a sharp corner and can be used by every family member regardless of height. In addition, matte and other nonglare finishes make it easier for the eyes to prepare and cook meals, read recipes, and perform other tasks.
For cabinets, the standard for an aging-in-place kitchen is to position cabinets three inches lower than standard height. We recommend cabinets with pull-down shelves on upper cabinets and pull-out shelves or drawers for base or floor cabinets.
For faucets, touchless and app-controlled fixtures can be used by every member of the household.
Smart lights that can be controlled by voice command, motion, or an app also make for not only a smart kitchen but also one that can be safely used by every member of your household regardless of age or physical limitations. Similarly, smart appliances that apps and voice commands can control via personal digital assistances help promote safety and ease of use. For example, ovens positioned at waist height or eye level are more accessible and safer to use than those positioned on the floor. In addition, we often recommend a designated area for placing hot pots and pans next to the stove or cooktop.
Multiple storage solutions provide easy access to pots, pans, pantry items, and other utensils and tools used daily in the kitchen.
Rest assured that if you want to create a dream kitchen for the long-term, you don’t have to compromise style, functionality, look or feel. Want more information on how you can create a dream kitchen for every member of your family that survives the test of time? Give us a call at 440-543-8050 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 8454 E. Washington Street in Chagrin Falls.