A new wave of building is going on in our country these days, and the building and remodeling industry is sitting up and taking notice. It's the Baby Boomers again, the generation that has had such an impact on our society throughout every stage of their lives.
Now they have newly become seniors, empty nesters finally with money to spend on their own dreams and desires for their homes. And what they want is luxury, casual elegance, and individuality. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen, where these active and educated seniors are opting for high performance appliances, work islands and dual sinks.
While planning their dream kitchens, however, it also makes sense to incorporate concepts into the design that accommodate the predictable changes that occur with age. As people advance in age, their senses decline and their flexibility, balance, stamina and reflexes diminish.
Kitchen and bath designer, Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, feels that "smart" design should take this all into account. She specializes in Universal Design, which is design that is flexible enough to meet the needs of each member of a household throughout their lifetime. She is quick to point out, however, that Universal Design can also achieve classy, good looks.
The following is practical advice Peterson offers for creating an accessible kitchen:
- Flush entry at the door instead of a raised threshold.- Clear floor space for maneuvering.
- Slip-resistant flooring with some give--to prevent serious harm in case of a fall.
- Generous amounts of task and ambient lighting.
- Retractable doors to conceal an open knee space for sitting while working.
- Raised dishwasher cabinet for easy loading and unloading.
- Rollout trays and/or tambour doors for easily accessible storage in base cabinets.
- Lower wall ovens and microwaves for easier transfer of items.
- Lower counters and work areas that can be used while seated.
- Rolling storage that moves to the point of use as desired
Owning a state-of-the-art, luxury kitchen is often the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Baby Boomers. Using the principles of Universal Design in the planning of that kitchen will help ensure they can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
Comments
Post has no comments.