Safety First
Your kitchen is one of the top rooms in your home. It's where your family heads when they want snacks and where you cook meals and bake cookies. You may even have an eat-in kitchen where you gather for some meals. When you buy a home that someone else designed, you might find that it isn't as accessible as you want. It's easy to make your kitchen more accessible to keep your family safe.
1. Rely on the kitchen triangle rule
The kitchen triangle rule states that your stove, fridge, and sink should have a triangular layout. This rule also recommends a distance of no more than four feet between any two of those spots. The further your stove is from your sink, the higher the risk is that you might spill a hot pot when walking to the sink. This rule also cuts down on how far you need to walk back and forth when prepping meals.
2. Change your counter height
Kitchen counters are usually 36 inches off the ground. While this is the right height for many people, it might not be suitable for you. If you have kids who love cooking and want them to feel comfortable, drop the height down to 32 inches or 34 inches. This is also a suitable height for wheelchair users. For bigger jobs like changing your counters and cabinets, trust a local company like Acclaim Renovations & Design to make your kitchen more accessible and ensure you meet local building codes.
3. Opt for lever handle
Do you have an old-fashioned sink with faucets that you need to twist to turn on and off? New faucets with a lever handle make it much easier for you to control the water and adjust the temperature. Lever handles also work well on your cabinets and make it easier for everyone in your family to open the doors. If you worry about kids getting into things they should not get into, look for locking levers. Those locks can make your kitchen remodel worth the cost.
4. Bring in new tech
New tech makes your life a little easier and your kitchen more accessible. With automatic faucets, you simply run your hand over the sensor to turn on the water. They come in handy when you’ve just touched raw chicken or other ingredients. There are new appliances with smart tech features, too, such as a refrigerator that emails a copy of your shopping list to you and stoves you can turn on through an app while on the go. With some of these kitchen remodeling ideas, you can cook and keep an eye on the food while you're at work.
Building the kitchen of your dreams starts with the bones you already have. It's easy to find remodeling ideas that make the kitchen more accessible and safer for those who cook there. Follow TheHomeMag on Instagram and Facebook to stay on top of the hottest kitchen trends and find new ideas for yours.
