Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Kitchen

Last week I wrote about easy ways to incorporate universal design in your bathrooms. This week I want to expand on the subject and feature ways to make your kitchens more universally friendly. Kitchens have become the hub of our households, a place where members of all generations in the family convene. As such, kitchens should offer a friendly environment to all users. I want to re-emphasize the value added when taking a universal design approach in your remodeling project. Designing for the aging does not have to look geriatric, in fact the best universal design is one that goes unnoticed.

This side-opening oven by Fagor is so cool! (Pictured above are two, side-opening ovens, demonstrating the option for either door swing.) The design was a Merit Award winner in Interior Design Magazine's 2008 Best of the Year Awards. Its ability to install at any height, and the side swing door, keeps users from having to bend over a hot oven, reducing the risk of being burned. When paired with a pull out surface, like this one pictured on the left, moving your heavy casserole dish from the oven to a cooling surface is much easier.

Also, in regards to cooking appliances, consider an induction cooktop in a universal design, for their safety features. Click here to read about the benefits of induction cooking.


Pull down kitchen cabinet shelves are a convenient way to take full advantage of your upper cabinet storage. An accessible handle at the bottom allows you to easily bring those upper shelves down to your level, preventing anyone from having to stand on a chair (or the counter!) to get out the crock-pot, rarely used serving bowls...or whatever else might be storing up there. When the cabinet doors are closed, no one will know there's such a contraption hidden inside. Of course, I would not recommend displaying these behind glass doors.

Anything stored in typical base cabinets is usually going to be difficult to get out. Unless you're about 3' tall, a lot of crouching, bending, and digging is involved when attempting to access items from the depths of those spaces. Drawers are the best solution for the storage below your counters. All things kept inside are easy to find and retrieve. This drawer shown above even utilizes a sort of peg-board and dowel combination to keep things in their places, rather than letting them slide around every time you open the drawer.

Here's one more way to universalize the kitchen; think about integrating a table height surface (28-34" high) with clear space underneath that is at least 18" deep x 24" wide. This creates a useful multi-purpose surface. Not only can it become a place for snacks and homework, it can also function as a countertop where those bound to a wheelchair, or anyone who has trouble standing for an extended period of time, can sit and still help prepare meals.

You can also incorporate this idea under the sink. With a cute curtain draped underneath, you can create a European look and no one will ever recognize the sink to be ADA accessible. Also, notice the lever handle on the faucet (something I brought up when discussing universal bathroom design) and the bar pulls on the drawer. Levers and bars are easier for arthritic hands to grasp, as opposed to a knob shape.

Please feel free to comment on your successes with universal design!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credits: Photos 1 & 3 - fagoramerica.com; Photo 6: sachsenkuechen-usa.com; Photo 7: AccessibilityPro.com