There’s no reason a house can’t be accessible for those living in it. For example, you may have seen how some individuals with dwarfism have parts of their households custom-made should they plan for it, allowing them to reach, use appliances, and enjoy the passion of cooking at the right scale they need. If that can be done, which you’d assume is quite a big investment and takes a fair amount of planning, then you can certainly integrate the odd accessibility measure in your own kitchen if you need it.
After all, this isn’t an uncommon pursuit. All of us get older. That doesn’t mean we cook any less, after all, grandparents have some of the best time-tested recipes out there and often contribute to the heart of any family. If you want to account for a relative, are experiencing growing mobility issues, or just have the need for more kitchen comfort, please consider the following advice:
Work With An Accessibility-Friendly Renovations Team
A team with experience in accessibility will know about counter heights that suit wheelchair users, how to position appliances so they’re reachable, and where lighting needs to go so there’s no squinting or struggling to see what’s cooking. They’ll also ask questions about any custom needs you have and may also offer solutions you might not have thought of yourself, like pull-down shelving or drawers that glide out from the corner
It’s wise to talk to a few different companies and asking about projects they’ve done before. The right people will make the whole process easier because they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and proper kitchen renovations done by a team that gets it can help this whole process feel less tiresome.
Consider Reach & Storage
Kitchens are most often designed with the assumption that everyone can reach the top shelf or bend down to the cupboard under the sink, which obviously isn’t true for a lot of people. If you implement lower cabinets with pull-out drawers, it’ll require less bending and rummaging around at the back for pots and pans, and keeping frequently used items at waist height will also help avoid stretching or climbing on stools.
Open shelving can work well, too, because everything’s visible and easy to grab. As far as upper storage goes, installing units that pull down brings the contents within reach, which is clever and surprisingly affordable.
Supports, Platforms, Rests & Emergency Stops
Safety is of course important. That means grab rails near the cooker or sink is a good idea for something sturdy to hold onto if balance is an issue, and they don’t have to look like you’re in a clinic if you pick the right finish. Moreover, a small platform or step stool that’s stable and non-slip is going to match well with reaching higher areas, though ideally, you’ve already sorted storage so it’s not needed often.
If cooking can be tiring, we’d suggest that wrist rests near prep areas should take pressure off joints during longer cooking sessions, and having emergency stops on appliances means you can shut everything down quickly if needed. If the kitchen feels safer and like you have more control, it’ll be more accessible.
With this advice, you’ll be certain to make your kitchen more accessible in the best possible sense.
