How to Build an Accessible Kitchen That Helps Seniors Thrive at Home

Mid-century modern kitchen featuring sleek wooden cabinetry, a marble island with decorative green stools, and a convenient microwave drawer designed for easy ADA access.

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When you’re trying to create a more accessible living situation, especially for seniors, it’s essential to consider both ease of use and safety. This is especially important when considering various improvements that can be made in kitchen areas. Most homeowners regularly use kitchens, but when renovating them to support the needs of older individuals, it’s important to choose the right improvements that allow them to get the most use of the space while still helping them to maintain a certain level of independence.

Below are different ways you can achieve this goal...

Prioritize Accessible Layouts

If you’re designing a space for senior living, it’s important to consider having a more accessible kitchen layout. The key to achieving this is to create as much open space as possible, making it easier to navigate around corners while being able to reach appliances and countertops.

You should also consider if the homeowner regularly uses a wheelchair and if the space between cupboards or kitchen islands is adequate for effective navigation around obstacles.

Incorporate Optimal Lighting

Older individuals typically suffer from poor eyesight compared to others. Because of this, it’s important to ensure there is optimal lighting in kitchen areas. This is especially important considering the various hazards that can arise when preparing or cooking meals.

The best solution in these situations is to use layered lighting solutions. Homeowners can then achieve an adequate amount of brightness while still being able to achieve a warmer aesthetic when not cooking or entertaining.

Sophisticated modern kitchen design featuring elegant, layered lighting, with recessed cans, under-cabinet illumination, and a striking oversized pendant, all fully dimmable for a tailored ambiance.

Choose the Right Flooring

Another important element of kitchen safety is flooring choices. It’s not only important to consider the materials you use for this type of home renovation, but also the layout, as certain raised tiling could create an unwanted tripping hazard.

Keep in mind that opting for softer kitchen flooring materials may help to reduce injury in the case of falls, but they may not be the most durable solution for walkers or wheelchairs. In many cases, corkboard or ceramic tiles are a good choice since they can help to reduce possible slips and provide a more comfortable surface to walk on.

Large-format grey matte porcelain tiles add a slip-resistant surface and striking contrast to the dark cabinetry and appliances in this modern kitchen.

Install Accessible Cabinetry

Many senior homeowners may have limited mobility and be unable to reach items on higher shelves. Adding to this issue, having to use step ladders to reach dishes or groceries from out-of-reach locations can be a serious safety concern and often leads to serious falls and injury.

To help avoid this from happening, it’s important to keep kitchen cabinetry highly accessible. This includes lowering the maximum height of shelves or installing pull-out drawers and lazy Susans.

Focus on Countertop Height

The height of your kitchen countertops is another important consideration during home renovation projects focused on senior living. The standard height for most kitchen countertops may not be suitable for older individuals in wheelchairs or those who aren’t able to reach as high as others.

Considering the individual needs of the homeowner is important in this area. This may mean using more multi-level countertop designs or building in lower bar stool areas to make it more accessible for seniors to use their kitchen without needing to worry about bending or straining their backs.

Accessible kitchen design with optimal cabinetry heights for ADA compliance, featuring functional storage solutions for wheelchair users. Image courtesy of Highland Cabinets, Inc.

Select Senior-Friendly Appliances

In addition to the physical layout of the kitchen, you’ll also want to make sure you’re making smart choices when picking out appliances. It’s a good idea to ensure that the appliances you pick are user-friendly and have large, readable screens for the user.

You might also want to consider using induction cooktops that have automatic shut-off features to minimize the chances of accidents in the event the homeowner forgets that something is cooking or leaves an additional burner on unintentionally.

Consider Faucet and Sink Design

Kitchen sinks are likely to get a lot of use, and it’s important to design them optimally when catering to an older household. The focus here should be to think about what’s easiest to operate, such as a single-handle faucet instead of having a two-handle format.

Also, having a shallower sink with a pull-down sprayer can make it much easier for homeowners to operate and require less distance when lifting plates or pots and pans out of the sink and onto the drying rack.

The single-handle faucet, featuring a pull-down sprayer, is designed to enhance usability for aging seniors. Its elegant black finish complements the sophisticated marble countertop on which it is installed.

Integrate Smart Technology

Over the years, smart home technology has become much more accessible and is a great option for simplifying living for all types of individuals. You could consider installing LED lighting fixtures that respond to voice commands and using larger interactive home assistant screens that are easy to see and interact with.

Another smart technology integration that can be really helpful for seniors is intelligent thermostats. This allows homeowners to quickly make changes to temperature settings without having to get up, and can also help to lower utility bills long-term.

Include Grab Bars and Support Rails

As with most senior care homes or facilities, there are always features available to help support older individuals when moving around, using the bathroom, or when climbing the stairs. Having these features installed in their homes is a practical and helpful solution for allowing seniors to make the best use of their homes while also staying safe.

For example, installing grab bars and support rails in commonly used areas can help to provide additional stability where someone might be more likely to slip or lose their balance. It's a good idea to have these installed near the sink, stove, and microwave, as well as in main walking areas. This simple addition provides a secure place to hold on to, which can help prevent trips and falls.

Make Your Kitchen Designs More Accessible

Designing a kitchen with senior living in mind is a great way to help older individuals enjoy all the features of their home. By focusing on safer renovation features and creating more open spaces that are easier to navigate, you’ll ensure older individuals can maintain their independence while thoroughly enjoying each area of their home.

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Author Bio:

Rebecca Denis, Head of Design at Revive Real Estate, is an accomplished and highly creative interior designer with over ten years of experience in the industry. With a passion for transforming spaces and a keen eye for detail, she has successfully completed numerous projects ranging from commercial spaces to custom show homes.