KBB - February 2014 - 26

Universal Design
Pull-down storage in the
cabinetry and lower
drawers offer increased
accessibility in this kitchen.

items stored under the sink. Homeowners can then easily change the
under-sink area if a member of the family or a guest needs access to it.
The ideal sink depth is 7.5 inches. Use the width of the sink - undermounted when possible - and the height of the faucet to increase usable
sink space. The faucet should feature a tall curve and a pullout spray option. Place the faucet on the side of the sink rather than behind, with the
single lever facing forward so anyone can reach it from any position. To
test the usability of a faucet, use a fist to operate it. This is an easy way to
see if someone can operate the faucet independently regardless of grip,
joint pain or tremors.

Cabinets
For flexibility in the smallest of spaces, add pullout options. Those can
include deep drawers with peg dividers, steps that have hidden storage,
trash and recycling bins - even a hidden tile that pulls out to reveal a
drawer in the shower. For upper cabinets, there is high-end shelving that
lowers electronically. There are also manual pull-down shelves available.
You can also plan open and closed shelving at different heights so family
members can store items they use the most at the best height for them.

Flooring
Falls cost people billions of dollars a year in medical costs alone - not
to mention lost time and function, pain, hospital stays and more. So safe
floors are serious business. First, remove loose rugs in the kitchen and bath.
Make sure floors are even. Avoid design that adds even an inch of step
into the shower or from one room to another. In bathrooms, ceramic tile or
VCT is 10 times safer than linoleum flooring. With carpet, use low-contrast
patterns with a low pile and tight weave. Medium-sized patterns are the
greatest risk when selecting tile. For bathrooms, the more grout you add,
the safer you are (think even penny tiles with a flat, non-slip surface). Using
color tile to show transitions throughout the room can be helpful, but try to
avoid transitions from carpeting to hard flooring.

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Appliances and Electronics
Bending and stretching can cause unnecessary pain and risk even for
the healthiest person. Since people are of such varying heights, the ADA
gives a very broad range for placement of appliances and outlets. An ideal
kitchen appliance set up is one in which ovens and microwaves are built in
or placed at torso height. Take the same approach to counters when you
can. Also take advantage of placing outlets in the front of a cabinet, or use
a pop-up outlet that can house additional plugs and USBs.
If a project's budget allows, refrigerator and freezer drawers are fabulous options for the flexible kitchen, as you can place them in different
locations around the room. You can also bring parts of the kitchen to
other areas of the house, such as coffee stations in the master bedroom.
A mini-fridge and electric induction burner can make life much more
enjoyable for longer-term guests in guest rooms and can be used in
home offices, in-law suites and outdoor spaces.

Lighting
The goal is to use about twice as much lighting as clients think they
need by incorporating task lighting into the kitchen plan. String lighting
can provide calming sensory integration into any room while adding soft
light and meeting many styles. When possible, keep floor lamps from cluttering up the walkways. Place a light switch at both sides of the kitchen or
bath so people don't have to wander around in the dark. Floor-mounted
LED panels can provide low light enhancement even when the overhead
lights are out. Motion sensors can turn lighting on and off automatically.

Hardware
When selecting hardware, use the same "closed-fist" test that you did
with the faucet to see if what you have chosen can be easily used by
anyone. Keep in mind that long rails are better than small knobs for opening drawers and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms. Side levers are now
available for both the main window lift and the additional screens.

February 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - February 2014

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