Universal Design Makes Kitchen Cabinetry and Remodeling both Modern and Efficient

Universal Design Makes Kitchen Cabinetry and Remodeling Both Modern and Efficient

Modernizing a kitchen is about much more than looks. Universal design has been incorporated into today’s cabinetry to increase accessibility and the results benefit young and old of all abilities, while increasing both style and function.

TWD is well aware of the needs of our local population, and assures that we meet those needs by having nationally certified universal design professionals on staff. If you are considering a kitchen remodel, we’d like to make sure you are aware of these techniques for making your cabinetry more efficient in ways that will serve you beautifully now, but will also support aging in place through your later years.

Focus on Cabinetry at Lower Levels

Overhead cabinets provide storage in otherwise unused space, but are really only useful to people who are adult height, able to stand, have sufficient upper body strength to lift objects, etc. A kitchen that incorporates universal design is planned to make custom cabinets accessible to everyone, which makes it especially valuable to people with children, in wheelchairs, and aging homeowners who plan to stay in their homes through their later years.

Drawer Storage Replaces Cabinets with Doors

Traditionally, most cabinetry been designed primarily as open spaces with doors, and drawers have been provided only for small objects like silverware and potholders. Bending over or getting down on the floor to reach the back of cupboards can be problematic, particularly for aging homeowners. Replacing lower cabinets with drawers eliminates the need to reach down and back. These drawers come in many configurations, and can be deep or shallow to accommodate storage of different sized items.

The Right Accessories Make the Difference

We recommend working with a certified universal design professional to assure that your remodeling efforts will have long term benefits. Dishes are heavy, so drawers that store them need to have heavy-duty rollers to ensure ease of use over time. A trained designer will know what is required from the start, helping you avoid shortcuts that cost more in the long run or simply don’t work well for you.

If you are concerned about drawers allowing stored objects to slide around, you will be impressed by the accessories that are available to keep your things orderly! From peg-board dividers to sliding chrome racks, cabinetry accessories are available to meet every style preference and organizational requirement.

Corner cabinets have often been the least usable storage space in the kitchen, but not any longer! Lazy Susans and sliding corner racks are available that maximize usable space and make it easily accessible. The developments in kitchen design go on and on.

Todd Whittaker Drywall Inc. is an experienced Phoenix remodeling contractor. Call us today at 623-544-1211 and our nationally certified universal design professionals will be happy to show you how your kitchen remodeling can not only make your home more pleasant now, but also become an environment that supports aging in place in the future.