{remodelingtoolbox.com} Universal Kitchen Design – Pull Out Board
One of the advantages of being part of the Baby Boomers generation is that you can score hundreds of helpful gadgets, including brilliant products for a kitchen remodel. Aparently, baby boomers are now in a driver’s seat as far as getting that kitchen to look fantastic as well as accommodating. In addition, you can have it designed with special features for easier, more enjoyable cooking.
Make kitchen cabinets universally designed and fully accessible for everyone- baby boomers, older parents or young grandchildren.
Who said that your kitchen cabinets have to be four inches above the floor? We found that most people do not want to reach down to the lowest drawers so they are very seldom used. Think about all the extra effort we put into reaching, bending and stretching in the kitchen. Solution? Smart, accessible kitchen cabinets.
- Install your cabinets ten inches above the floor.
- Different levels countertops will give you an option of sitting down while you cook.
Perhaps, you do not want to strain your feet while cooking. They really look good as they make the kitchen more visually exciting. You can have a simple roll-out as part of your kitchen or a complex layered design. It all depends on your desires and budget. Talking about budget, a sleek contemporary kitchen is one of your choices for saving money. You can create it using IKEA parts.
For the upper cabinets, there are some exciting options that we found helpful.
For example, you can have sophisticated cabinet lifts such as by Accessible Kitchens. One of our favorite products is a lift system that moves up and down. Of course, some are more expensive than others. Even if you have one or two of those cabinets could be all you need to make the kitchen more accessible to the older parent. Think about how much more independent they will feel!
Above just a few basic ideas for baby boomers kitchen remodel. Stay tuned as I will publish more!
Please post your questions here below. I’ll be happy to help you!
Xo,
Marina
Very interesting article. Have you run into problems with elderly or disabled people unable to open kitchen drawers because of soft close and/or self-close drawers? I’m disabled and after 2 months of research, I have not been able to find a way to order cabinets with drawers that offer plain old drawer glides (like the kind commonly available 10 years ago). The best we can do is pay thousands more for custom cabinets so they’ll put special drawer glides (Blum Standard) — but those still have self-close glides so the drawer still has resistance (albeit better than soft close) and they bounce when they close since they don’t have soft close. (Blum doesn’t make any glides that don’t, at least, have self-close.) Do you have any suggestions?
Hello Diane,
Thank you for your question. I am sorry about the delay but I am researching the answer for you through all different professionals all through my connections. Please be patient and we will find a solution for you. Thanks.
Great collection of ideas you got here. It seems very idea to save room and keep things organized while keeping all the cabinet with its “friendly user” functionality. Really amazing tips and suggestions. I am now living with my parents and these suggestions will really be appreciated.
Older people and grandparents, even if you are occasionally JUST LAZY, the idea of accessible cabinets offers functionality and beauty. I am thinking of giving my kitchen a little make over. Your tips will surely be considered. Thank you
This article really caught my attention! I can’t agree more about not wanting to reach down to the last drawer just to get what you need. I’ve been dealing with this issue at home where I’d like to have my cabinets installed inches higher that way it can be easily accessible for me. However, I’ve been stuck with the traditional belief that cabinets are supposed to reach the ground so I haven’t had the chance or guts to change it, I guess it’s hard sometimes to break the rules. But with this newly found idea from yours, I will definitely give it a try. I’ll see if the cabinets which break the rules will work out for me!
No more traditional thinking, John. You can now do whatever you want at home. There are so many products now with amazing flexibility. Thank you for your comment.
I like the way you think. I am newly retired and just moved into my new place, the first home I ever bought! But the kitchen is not very accessible or user friendly. I will keep your points in mind as I look for someone to build my new kitchen that I can use for many years to come.
Hi! I just stumbled on your blog today. I love your dgisen style! You have literally inspired me to go to dgisen school! In the last year, I have found a passion in decorating. I stay up sometimes all hours of the night looking at magazines and searching blogs. Speaking of cabinets, I really want to paint my kitchen cabinets. My walls are a barn red. They were like that when we moved in and I kept them because they were kind of nice and I was pregnant. What color cabinets would go with red walls? Is white the only color? I love love green, but that would look like Christmas! What would you suggest? Thanks!
Thank you for your interest. No, white is not the only color. Please let m know the color number and brand for your walls and I might suggest something. Cheers!
Lots of useful tips and info in this post!
I never thought about accessibility in the kitchen since its just me and my daughter and I do all the cooking, food prep, etc. …I’ll be an empty nester in a few years so stress free kitchens are up & coming for me 🙂
Most people don’t think that they will ever get older, you are not alone. Thank you for the comment
cool story bro
Thank you
Thank you very much, Marina. A lot of very useful tips. Can’t wait to read you next post.
Thank you, Anna