Universal Design in the Kitchen – Good for Everyone

By Dave Clark

You probably have heard of universal design – the principals used to make homes accessible, usable, and safe.  You may think it is only applicable to the physically challenged.  But what universal means is it’s helpful for everybody.  With an increased desire to make their homes more user-friendly, homeowners, especially those of the boomer-senior generation, may seek the addition of universal design elements.

There are three key elements to Universal Design: Maneuverability, ease of operation, and range of reach.  Below I will touch on a few ways of how we’ve incorporated these elements into clients’ homes.

Maneuverability

What we try to do, if space allows, is to have at least one area in the kitchen where there is a five-foot diameter end run or center run so wheelchair users can spin out of there.  That is not always possible.  At a previous job for a chair user, I added four-foot wide lanes between cabinets, which enabled her to turn around.  Wheelchair users need a wider path between cabinets especially where appliances are located, like the refrigerator, oven, or work areas.

The distance between the primary work areas – sink, cooking surface, and refrigerator should be about equal distance from each other, with the sink preferably between the range and fridge with no obstacle between.  The maximum for a kitchen triangle is 26 feet.  None of those lanes should be less than four feet or more than nine feet because that is too long and too many footsteps.

Open space under the sink is necessary to allow wheelchair users or for those individuals who need to sit more, to have their knees under the sink while they work there.  The desirable amount of open space is about 29 inches.  Double bowl sinks with the garbage disposal on the small bowl allows for the doors to be open underneath the base cabinet.

If space allows, have more than one work/food prep area.  That’s a good principal in any kitchen to accommodate multiple cooks or multiple projects going on at once.  Base cabinets in at least one of these areas should be removed so seating is comfortable.

Consider plenty of lighting options, including recessed lights, undercabinet lights, pendants over islands, ambient lighting above cabinetry, and even-in-cabinet lights for glass door cabinets.  Floors should be of a non-slip material, with cork as an alternative.  It’s resilient, comfortable, and easy to wheel on.  It also reduces breakage.

Ease of Operation

In universal design, it’s important that kitchen appliances and storage are designed to provide adaptability for a wide range of preferences and abilities.  Even the most physically fit person can benefit from ergonomics.  Here are a few things to consider.

Most dishwashers are not ergonomically designed with bending and stooping required to load and unload.  The bottom-hinged drawer also gets in the way of people moving around the kitchen and makes it much harder for mobility-impaired users to load and unload.  A raised dishwasher makes it easier to reach in and out, but dish drawers make more sense.  Drawers are also available for freezers, refrigerators, dish storage, microwaves, and almost any other kitchen function.  Traditional refrigerators are best with French-style doors and a bottom freezer good for ease of operation.

Pull out single lever faucets are easiest to use for those with limited hand strength.  Avoid faucets with controls that take a lot of finger strength or dexterity to operate

Replace cabinet knobs with easier to use pulls that have enough room for fingers to grasp.   Some cabinet lines can be ordered with motion hardware – touch the door and the trash will roll out, touch the door again and it will automatically roll back in.

Range of Reach

Being able to reach things easily means keeping things within three to four feet from the floor.  Wall cabinets formerly were about 18 inches above the counter.  With an accessible kitchen, 15 inches is the standard distance.  Pull-down shelves also make it easier to access higher-placed items.  Some cabinetry lines feature a push-button for lowering shelves.

When choosing shelves, consider ones that slide out of lower cabinets or use full extension drawers that pull out further than standard drawers.  Cabinets can also be equipped with roll-out shelves, lazy Susan’s, or corner swing-out shelf.

Counters are traditionally 36 inches high, but a countertop 34 inches higher is more convenient for those needing to sit while they food prep.  Conversely, if there is a very tall person in the household, a higher counter can help avoid stooping and back pain.  Adaptability can also be achieved by installing counters with electrically adjustable heights, which are available from a number of manufacturers.  Additionally, a toe space of more than four inches under cabinets will enable a person who uses a mobility device to approach the counter more closely.

When choosing a stove, make sure the controls are set on the front or side for safety and easy reach.  Other household controls, such as thermostats, outlets, switches, and window hardware, should also be placed for a reasonable range of reach.  Rocker switches or switches that can be pushed on and off are a good alternative to toggle switches.

A lot of people are taking advantage of pull out steps in the kick plate.  Simply kick with your foot and a platform comes out, sturdy enough to stand on to reach those higher cabinets.  It’s also great for children who are trying to reach the faucet.

While there are many suggestions for creating a universally sound environment, it is about personalization and the needs of the household.  In a future blog, we will address universal design in the bathroom.