A well-planned kitchen will help you accomplish tasks faster and easier. You have to consider various things if you want your space to serve the needs of everyone in your household. For this project, hire experienced home remodeling contractors like STL Design and Build to help you make the best choices for the busiest part of your home.
Here are things to consider when planning and designing an accessible kitchen.
Kitchen Layout
Usually, the location of your windows and doors determines the layout you should choose for your kitchen. The kitchen work triangle approach helps in planning efficient workspaces with clear traffic lanes. Each leg of the triangle is associated with the cooktop, refrigerator and sink. Each leg should measure between four and nine feet to make each area easy to access and to prevent crowding.
Remove Barriers
Standard accessibility guidelines are made to work for those in seated positions and with limited reach and hand strength. With the help of your home remodeler, you can build a kitchen for your exact needs.
It’s recommended to have the countertops lower by two inches for wheelchair users. Taller people may prefer raised counters to avoid the strain of bending over while standing. Some may opt for counters of different heights to address different needs.
Leave the space below countertops and the sink open for legroom when working in a wheelchair. Place wall cabinets lower for easy access. Consider power-adjustable cabinets that go up and down as desired.
Right Appliances
We recommend having a separate cooktop from the oven so you can empty the space below for legroom. Front controls will prevent the need to reach over burners and minimize the risk of accidents. You can place wall ovens at custom height while side-hinged units are ideal for those in wheelchairs.
The most accessible refrigerators are those with pull-out drawer freezers. Side by side models would work well, too. Place the microwave at or below counter height.
With over five decades of experience, you can count on STL Design and Build to build the kitchen of your dreams. Aside from being a trusted home remodeler, we are also one of the leading window replacement companies in the area. Call us at (314) 329-9428, or complete our online form to schedule a free estimate.