When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, including certain features can allow you to more easily age in place. Integrating these features now helps ensure that you’ll be able to keep using your kitchen safely and comfortably as you get older. Consider the following features when you’re making changes to this part of your home.

Cabinets and Shelves

Consider installing pull-down shelves in your upper kitchen cabinets and pull-out drawers in your lower cabinets. With pull-down shelves, you don’t have to stretch or reach up as much to get items you need. With pull-out drawers, you don’t have to worry about leaning or bending over to get items out of the back area of these cabinets. Keep in mind that you should have upper cabinets lowered about 3 inches from their conventional height. The knobs on your cabinets should also be changed to D-shaped or lever-style ones that are easy to use.

Corner cabinets can end up being hard to get items out of as you get older. Depending on your preferences in terms of appearance and function, you can have a lazy Susan installed or a set of three separate drawers rather one large corner cabinet.

A pull-out pantry also makes it safer and more convenient to get items you need. These pantries have drawers and shelves that you can easily reach rather than having to dig through regular pantry shelves.

Countertops

Having countertops at the same level can limit their use as you age. You can have countertops of different heights installed in your kitchen to get around this problem. Different countertop heights give you areas to stand at or sit down by while doing tasks in your kitchen.

Overhead lights provide plenty of brightness for different parts of your kitchen. Task lighting in certain areas, such as under cabinets, give you greater light to see by while chopping vegetables or doing other tasks.

Lighting Options

Having as much lighting as possible in your home helps reduce the risk of falls and prevents eye strain as you get older. Consider adding windows or a skylight for more natural light in your kitchen. Overhead lights provide plenty of brightness for different parts of your kitchen. Task lighting in certain areas, such as under cabinets, gives you greater light to see by while chopping vegetables or doing other tasks.

Light Switches

Light switches in your kitchen should be easy to use. Rocker-type switches, which you can easily push to turn lights on and off, are a good option near doors or entrances to your kitchen. You might also consider having automatic lights installed that come on when you enter your kitchen.

Kitchen Flooring

When you plan to age in place, it’s important to avoid slippery floors and flooring that involves a lot of maintenance. Choose a non-slip floor that doesn’t require much maintenance, such as porcelain tiles or vinyl floors.

If you are looking to have a kitchen remodel done in the East Cobb area, contact Quality Craftsmen. As certified aging in place specialists, we can help you design and build a kitchen that is going to meet your changing needs well into the future. Schedule an appointment today to learn more.