When our interior remodeling clients are planning to stay in their home well into their golden years, it is essential for our Sales • Design consultants to initiate a conversation about aging in place. There are certain aspects that go into a kitchen design that you might not think of now, but wish you had 10, 15, or 20 years down the road.
Tips for Designing an Age-Friendly Kitchen
Open Floor Plan
Design the kitchen space to have a free-flowing layout. This includes creating doorways with a width of 36 inches and the space between cabinets around 48 inches. This not only allows for ease of navigation for potential wheelchairs and walkers, but also improves the home’s overall aesthetics.
Slip Resistant Floors
Prioritize flooring choices that reduce slips and falls. Materials like luxury vinyl tile or hardwood are known for non-slip properties and easy maintenance. Avoid incorporating throw rugs, as they are one of the biggest hazards for tripping.
Easy-to-Use Cabinetry
Take time to design around the goods and supplies that will be located in your cabinets. Pull-out shelves are great to reduce back, neck, and knee strain. These shelves are made for easy grabbing, less searching, and reduced reaching, while also maximizing storage space.
Shallow Sink
To minimize bending and reaching, implement a sink that is shallow, 6 to 8 inches deep. This accommodates various mobility levels. Also, consider a touchless faucet or hands-free soap dispenser for ease of use.
If you do not foresee a move in your future, it is never too early to start planning for the years to come. With the help of our Sales • Design Consultants, Callen makes the planning aspect easy! Call Callen at 414-529-5509 to discuss remodeling an age-friendly kitchen, or visit CallCallen.com to schedule your initial consultation.
