Our kitchens have always been a focal point of our home.  A lot of the activities we enjoy revolve around the kitchen. When considering a kitchen remodel it’s important to think about the design and how it will affect you as you age.  After all, remodeling a kitchen is a big investment and not something you want to turn around and do again in a short timeframe. 

We want you to be able to enjoy your kitchen for years to come.  That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.  A recent article suggests some things that you might consider including in your kitchen remodel that will increase its safety and usefulness as family members age. Below are a few of those suggestions that we think would be most beneficial.

Things to Consider In Your Kitchen Remodel

• Sink location - You might consider adjusting the height and location of the sink.  Especially since a big portion of the work in the kitchen takes place at the sink.  It is suggested that you install a shallow sink that is easier to reach down into, and possibly a hands free or lever-handled faucet.  This will limit reaching.  
• Cabinets - There are many different accessories and cabinet inserts that can be added to the interior of your cabinets. You might consider using pullout shelves for lower cabinets and pull down shelves for upper cabinets. There are even cabinets that slide out so you can see everything that is in both sides. Another suggestion would be to have some open cabinets without doors for those frequently used items. 
•  Hardware - Opening cabinets can become more of a challenge especially for the elderly. You might want to use “D” shaped pulls and handles or pull bars that give you more to grasp and hold onto.
•  Countertop - With most remodels people tend to change their countertops. You will want to talk to our kitchen professionals about choosing a countertop that is low in maintenance and will hold up over time.  Another suggestion is to consider using different heights of countertops.  Sometimes you may want to stand and work, while other times you may need to sit.

If you would like to learn more about designing a kitchen for now and the future you can contact us here.

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