Planning a kitchen remodel that takes aging in place into account means you’ll need to make sure this part of your home is as functional as possible now and in the future. When you’re coming up with plans for this project, you can improve the function of your kitchen in the following ways.

Kitchen Location

Your kitchen should be located on the main level of your home. This prevents you from having to go up and down a set of stairs frequently to make meals, eat and do other tasks.

U-Shaped Layout or Island

A narrow kitchen can make it difficult to navigate for someone that’s aging in place, which makes it harder to prepare meals. We recommend a U-shaped layout for your kitchen. You may also want to consider including an island in your layout. This design provides a lot of space for you to move around while preparing meals.

Overall, your kitchen should be designed in a way that makes it convenient, safe and easy for you to cook, store items and clean. This affects where appliances are located and the general layout of your kitchen.

Work Triangle

A work triangle refers to a setup that provides maximum convenience for cooking, storing and cleaning. In this setup, your stove, sink and fridge are all located close to each other. This means you don’t have to move around as much or awkwardly reach or stretch while making meals, putting leftovers away and cleaning dishes, pots and pans.

Overall, your kitchen should be designed in a way that makes it convenient, safe and easy for you to cook, store items and clean. This affects where appliances are located and the general layout of your kitchen.

Sink and Stove Location

Your sink and stove should be installed close together, as the work triangle concept recommends. This makes it easy to rinse food items off, strain water from pots and do other cooking and baking tasks. Having these near each other helps reduce the risk of accidents while also making meal preparation and cleanup more convenient for you.

Sink and Faucet

Choose a shallow sink rather than a deeper one, which can be hard to reach into as you get older. Consider adding anti-scald controls and lever handles to your faucet, and have your faucet installed on the side of the sink instead of behind it.

Raised Dishwasher

Having a dishwasher makes it easier to get your dishes clean, but unloading and loading it can strain your back. Install a raised dishwasher to prevent this problem, and choose one that has push buttons on it for the controls.

Microwave Height

Avoid putting a microwave above your stove, since this can be harder to reach as you get older. Instead, have a microwave placed at or below the height of your kitchen counter. This height ensures that you’ll be able to keep using your microwave, even if you have mobility issues.

If you are considering a kitchen remodel in the East Cobb area, contact Quality Craftsmen. As certified aging in place specialists, we’ll help you create a kitchen that you’ll love both now and in the future.