Tips on Planning a Disabled Access Kitchen

Using the kitchen can be frustrating if you can’t manoeuvre well or reach the things you need then it can even become potentially dangerous. When you plan alterations to your home, especially the kitchen, to accommodate access for anyone with a disability, it is important to get it exactly right. It can make life so much easier, and whether you’re making a few small changes or going for a complete overhaul, you need to make the most of what is already there. That’s why we have created a few tips for your consideration to help guide you through changes you could potentially make when planning a disabled access kitchen.

Space                                                                  

This is one of the most important considerations. If you don’t have enough space can you make some? There needs to be room for a full turning circle for a wheelchair to make things easier to reach and move. A good thing to do is take a measurement of your chair as the size can vary, this will help you get the best out of your space.

Many people prefer to create a U shape in the kitchen with the units and appliances so everything is aligned, leaving space in the middle of the room for turning easily and for easier access getting in and out of the room.

Surfaces

The next thing to think about is your surfaces, with the U shape mentioned before, your surfaces should have a continuous flow. This allows you to move things easily from one end of the room to the other when you want to be close to the oven or the sink. Consider the points at which you will need knee space under the surfaces and also ensure you have them lowered to a height which meets your requirements.

Appliances

Getting your appliances in the right position at the right height can make life so much easier, meaning you keep your independence. You can have your washer raised so that it’s just the right height, and you can put your dishwasher out of the way so that it doesn’t block your access around the kitchen when the door is open. By separating the oven and the hob you won’t have to do any dangerous reaching, the two don’t have to come one on top of the other.

Units

You will need space for storage just as before but clearly the lower down your units are the better. Keep in mind that not all your units can go beneath the worktop as you need the knee space for your chair or mobility aid, instead you could have sliding shelves and carousels installed to make the most of the space and make accessing your food and utensils easy.

Floors

You don’t want anything which will allow your wheels to slip, so a robust tile is best. Similarly you don’t want to get bogged down in carpet or a deep rug. Keep the floor clear and free of obstacles so you can move around efficiently. An added bonus of tiled flooring is that it’s easy to clean if there are any spillages. Most mobility aids should be able to handle a tiled or vinyl floor and they will stand up much better to the wear from your wheels so you won’t need to spend time and money replacing them as often as you might a carpet.

To learn more about mobility aids and how they can be used around the kitchen to make cooking a doddle, then contact us at Stechford Mobility. We have a wide range of wheelchairs and scooters and we will help you find the one best suited to use in your kitchen.