The kitchen is arguably the most important part of your home because it’s where everything happens, from cooking meals to dining and socializing with family and friends. Given the importance of the kitchen, how can you make it more accessible to everyone in your household? And how can you modify it to suit your changing needs as you age in place?
Mobility remodeling can help older members of your household as well as mobility device users. DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of South Valley, a trusted remodeler, shares some tips on what to prioritize during a mobility remodeling project.
1. Plenty of Open Space
Enhanced mobility and optimal traffic flow are vital to the functionality of your kitchen. The more open floor space in your kitchen, the easier it is for everyone to move around.
2. Wide Kitchen Walkways & Work Aisles
To avoid traffic jams in your kitchen, the walkways and work aisles (the space in front of your sink and appliances) should be at least 36 and 42 inches wide, respectively. However, this isn’t enough if there are mobility device users in your household or you plan on aging in place.
As a general rule, walkways with a kitchen counter or appliances on one side should be 36 inches wide, or 42 inches wide if the walkway turns a corner. (This is to make sure wheelchair users are able to make a turn on the corner.) As for work aisles, they should be 40 inches wide.
3. Wide Doorways
Wheelchair users should be able to enter a 36-inch door with swing clear hinges. However, for maximum comfort, we recommend widening the kitchen doorway to 42 inches.
4. Accessible Kitchen Countertops & Sinks
Standard kitchen countertops are 36 inches high. For them to be accessible for a wheelchair user, they should be 28 to 34 inches above the floor and 30 inches wide. The same goes for kitchen sinks: they should be 28 inches to 34 inches above the floor. And to allow mobility device users to access the sink, the open space beneath it should be 27 inches high and eight inches deep.
Here’s a tip: the height of your kitchen countertop is one of the first details you need to finalize during the planning phase. That’s because the height of your kitchen countertop will partly determine the location of storage cabinets and appliances.
5. Adjustable Cabinets
Pull-down shelves, adjustable shelves, drawer dividers and looped cabinet pulls can help mobility-challenged users access kitchen wall cabinets. However, to maximize convenience and accessibility, we recommend electric-powered adjustable cabinets. With a press of a button, users can adjust the height of these cabinets.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Looking for a “kitchen remodeler near me?” With Independence by Design™ service from DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, you can design and build a kitchen that can meet your changing needs. To get started with a no-obligation consultation, call DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of South Valley a call at (801) 410-0909 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in South Jordan, Sandy Draper, Riverton, Herriman and many other communities.
