Redesigning Your Home for the Long Term

Baby Boomers have always done things their way! From their youth into retirement, they've been a generation who has set new boundaries, and today, even in retirement, the trend continues! 

One of the biggest trends in the building industry has become the quest for living in place as homeowners age. As more boomers begin to retire every day, they are leading active lifestyles. More of them are choosing to enjoy their golden years and remain in their homes.

A design aesthetic called Universal Design addresses the needs of creating a home that is safe and accessible for not only older occupants, but also people of any age and ability. While Universal Design touches on every room in the house, as well as exterior improvements, the two main places to update for aging-in-place are the kitchen and the bathroom. 

In this post, we'll look at some considerations for homeowners planning a kitchen renovation. Especially those who have chosen to remain in their home as they age. While home design and function are always the critical drivers for any kitchen remodeling, every plan should consider factors over the long-term if you're considering aging-in-place.

Incorporating Universal Design in the Kitchen 

As we age, we must turn to the guiding principles, concepts, and teachings of Universal Design (UD) for continuing functionality. UD is the practice of "designing and composing an environment's usability. Including interior design elements to allow it to be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest degree possible by all people, regardless of age, size, ability, or disability."

Universal Design principles are not strictly for aging in place. They address all ages and abilities while keeping a modern design aesthetic. For example, changes can be simple, such as swapping out doorknobs for handles. These are easier to open for both little hands and those suffering from arthritis. 

One of the primary adjustments for accommodating homeowners wishing to live in place is your "design mindset." Next to the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in your home. Carelessness and forgetfulness can result in severe cuts and burns, slip-and-falls, and fires. When you add typical age-related ailments, like fading vision, mobility issues, etc. well, you get the idea.

So when planning your kitchen remodel, you want to look at several key elements that can contribute to the comfort, safety, and ease of use as the homeowners age. For example, if you need assistance in the kitchen, is there enough room for you and someone else to work safely and comfortably? Would a wheelchair or walker have access? Questions need to be addressed in the planning stage, even if their eventuality is years in the future.

Learn the cost of a kitchen remodel

Living In Place: Functional Considerations

When planning a living-in-place remodel, you need to consider every contingency and every element of your design, from accessibility and mobility to storage and flooring. Every detail needs to work together to make the homeowners safe and comfortable in the space as they age. 

Here are some living in place elements to consider when planning your kitchen design for functionality, aesthetics, safety, and comfort.

• Pullout Pantry Shelves for Easy Access 

A pullout pantry allows you to see everything at a quick glance without having to shuffle items around. This is one item that homeowners of any age will find useful. But besides being super convenient, pullout shelves and drawers that give you easy access to canned goods, cereal, and staples put much less strain on backs and knees.

• Drawers not Doors

The best feature drawers’ offer is that they display all of your flatware and utensils at once, which allows for easy access. You don't have to get on your knees to find what you're looking for. Large drawers offer plenty of storage space, and any set wider than around 30-inches can store plenty of pots and pans. 

• Slip-Resistant Flooring

Choosing the right flooring is more important than many realize. A Harder surface like concrete or tile is awful on aging backs, knees, and hips. Everything you do in the kitchen, including cooking, washing, and drying, always comes with the risk of slipping, falling, or dropping things. If you currently have rugs in the kitchen, lose them! Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common problems in the kitchen. A rug in front of the sink might be comfortable, but it's a common culprit in serious injuries. Choose a flooring option that is textured. Textured flooring provides the traction needed to avoid slipping. If you have joint pain issues, consider a flooring material that "gives" a little like cork or rubber floor tiles.

• Accessibility: Focus on Clearance!

The standard clearance between cabinets, islands, walls, and appliances is 36-inches, which is plenty of space to comfortably pass and have access to drawers and doors. However, suppose someone in the home is in a wheelchair or planning for living in place and may need mobility assistance in the future. 

In that case, the ADA offers more extensive guidelines. For example, in U-shaped kitchens, ADA guidelines require a minimum of 60-inches of clearance between opposing cabinets, walls, or appliances. According to the ADA, a Galley or pass-through kitchen should have a minimum of 40-inches clearance between opposing sides. When planning your design, whenever possible, consider that homeowners may need extra space to accommodate a walker or wheelchair in the future.

• Wider Doorways and Entry Ways

In most homes, doorways and hallways are just 24-inches wide. That seems fine most of the time, but what if you need a walker or wheelchair later in life? Could you still maneuver around your kitchen, or even get into it? To give you an idea, you'll need at least 36-inches to get around with a walker, and that jumps to 48-inches for proper wheelchair access. Consider widening entries and doorways both vertically and horizontally as much as possible. Also, remove any thresholds whenever possible, to make wheelchair access easier. Modern design choices like these not only provide an open "feel" but also can provide real functionality for every stage of life!

• Install Proper Lighting

Vision problems become more common as we age and proper lighting in the kitchen is an important safety element. Your lighting design should encompass the three types of lighting – ambient, task, and decorative – to provide both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Place lighting on dimmers or motion sensors to turn on when you enter the room or add a smart element like Alexa for voice-activated lighting control. Ensure you have adequate task lighting to keep work areas bright and visible to prevent accidents when cutting or preparing food. 

A Few Final Considerations

These are just some of the elements to consider when redesigning your kitchen for living in place. As you begin the redesign process, think about re-evaluating your kitchen layout. Make sure that your new design favors the kitchen triangle for functionality. 

Keep the stove sink and refrigerator within easy distance of each other for easier meal prep, cooking and clean up. Keep your dishwasher near the sink to ensure ease of use. In fact, if you have the budget, dishwasher drawers offer easier access and allow you to easily do smaller loads saving water and energy. 

Keep appliances like the microwave at counter height to minimize bending or reaching. It's best for your back! Keep your design clean and modern, and avoid frills that can cause you to bump knees, legs, or hips on an appliance or cabinet details that stick out. 

Ultimately, when you plan any home renovation, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, you'll always see a better return if you plan for now and into the future. Adding these living in place amenities will not only keep you safe and comfortable as you age, but they can also increase the value of your home.

The key is to find a contractor or design-build professional who has experience creating living in place designs. They will understand your needs today and can help you foresee what you may need in the future for in terms of accessibility, all without sacrificing style and luxury! 

Are you planning a kitchen remodeling project and thinking about what you need to stay in your home over the long term?  If you live in the West Central Alabama area, and you're planning a remodeling project, give the design experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. Our design professionals can help you determine what you will need to create a kitchen that will suit your needs now and into the future! Call us today and arrange a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your project.