Making kitchen designs work well for people with disabilities can be tough. This is especially true when you are trying to keep costs down for your clients.
So, how do you make kitchens easy for everyone to use without spending too much?
With just a few simple and affordable tips, you can help your clients create a kitchen that works for everyone.
Tips Make Kitchens Work For Everyone
1. Choose the Right Height for Counters
Tip: Place the counters at a height that’s easy to reach for everyone. You can help your clients choose counters at different heights.
For example, lower counters make it easier for wheelchair users to prepare food comfortably.
Why It Works: By having counters at different heights, you make sure that everyone, whether standing or sitting, can use the space without struggle.
2. Add an ADA Compliant Kitchen Sink
Tip: To make their kitchens easier to use, your clients should choose a sink that meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
These sinks have shallow basins and good space under them for wheelchair users.
Why It Works: An ADA compliant kitchen sink makes it easier for someone in a wheelchair to use the sink without help.
It's a small change that can make a big difference in making someone feel independent in their kitchen.
3. Recommend Adding Pull Out Shelves
Tip: Your clients should add shelves and cabinets that pull out to make everyone’s life easier.
Just think about it. These cabinets make it easy to reach dishes, food, and cooking tools without digging around in the back of a cabinet.
Why It Works: Pull out shelves reduce the need to stretch or bend down. This is especially helpful for people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs.
It’s also great for old people, who won’t need to put in extra effort just to get things out of the cabinet.
4. Make Sure There’s Good Lighting
Tip: You should also make sure your clients add plenty of light, especially over work areas like the stove and countertop.
Why It Works: Good lighting helps everyone see better, which means fewer accidents in the kitchen.
It's especially important for people with visual difficulties.
5. Add Anti Slip Tiles and Flooring
Tip: Imagine your clients showing their guests their new kitchen. However, during the tour, they fall because of the slippery floor.
No one wants their guests to slip and get hurt when they enter the kitchen. To avoid this, you should ask your clients to opt for anti slip tiles or flooring.
These tiles' materials have textures that create more friction than simple tiles. They will also reduce the chances of slips and falls.
Some of them include Bengal tiles, ceramic tiles, and stone.
Why It Works: Slip resistant flooring offers better grip, making it safer for everyone, especially those with mobility issues or those who use mobility aids.
With the help of anti-slip floor tiles, your clients can focus on the safety of their disabled guests, especially those with wheelchairs, crutches, or walking sticks.
The Bottom Line
To help your clients make their kitchen work for everyone, they need to choose the right height for counters, ADA compliant sinks, pull out shelves, good lighting and anti slip tiles.