How to make your kitchen wheelchair accessible?

If you are looking to improve the accessibility of your kitchen, we have a range of solutions for you to consider in our York kitchen showroom. Accessible designs are fantastic for helping to create a safe, easy to use space for wheelchair users, but can also be effective for multi-generational homes too.

It is incredibly important that when you begin looking into investing in a wheelchair accessible kitchen, that you consider the people who will be using the space rather than focusing on how much space there is to use – we have solutions for kitchens of all shapes and sizes.

Consider the layout of the kitchen

When it comes to planning the layout of your kitchen to make it more accessible for disabled users, the first, and most important consideration that needs to be thought about is how to make the space as safe as possible, while still allowing it to be a functional kitchen for all members of the household.

The inclusive designs we have on offer can still allow your kitchen to be a fun place to entertain, whilst heavily focusing on the safety of its primary users. For wheelchair users there needs to be an emphasis on space, as well as ensuring that possible hazard points are close enough in proximity for ease of use. It is less common in standard, off the shelf kitchens for the oven / hob to be next to the sink, however, for wheelchair users this simple change in layout makes everyday cooking much easier

Include accessible storage

Storage space is a priority in any kitchen, but making that storage easily accessible for disabled users that is safe and functional is our top priority. In our kitchen showroom York there are a wide range of options for you to choose from. Some of our storage solutions include pull down baskets, pull out larders, and base unit storage areas. By having easy to use storage areas that eliminate the need for bending, stretching, or crouching helps to maintain a safe space whilst still utilising the space provided to a maximum.

Choose the right appliances

Choosing the incorrect style of appliance for your accessible kitchen can be a real safety concern. As kitchen suppliers dedicated to households requiring inclusive solutions we can help to choose the best items for your ease. We have an excellent range of slide and hide ovens and induction hobs as they are the most used items within our kitchens, and can also be the most hazardous.

Slide and hide ovens are by far the best choice for wheelchair users; the door is completely hidden from view whilst open which reduces the risk of burns or hot spillages to the user when removing or checking on food. In addition to a slide and hide oven, we also recommend having induction hobs as opposed to gas hobs; induction hobs will not heat up without a pan being placed on top of them, they also don’t reach the same extreme temperatures as conventional hobs making them a safer option in accessible kitchens.

Choose the right worktops

It is important to choose the best worktops from a kitchen supplier that work for the entire household. Rise and fall are the most accessible worktops we supply which help not to limit the usability for certain people. This flexible option is available in our York warehouse in both manual and electric versions to help create a comfortable workspace for all users. The rise and fall worktops do not have cabinets underneath which allows for extra legroom for wheelchair users, however, if paired with some of the smart storage solutions we have on offer this can be the perfect solution for busy households.

A waterfall edge on your worktops is also recommended in an accessible kitchen. They help reduce the risk of burns from spilt hot liquids, whilst also allowing for a more comfortable clean up should a spill occur.

Final considerations for accessible kitchen

Often when visiting a warehouse in search of a new accessible kitchen, the finer details can be overshadowed and not thought about in much detail until you actually come to use the kitchen. Keep in mind the placement of items such as power sockets and handles when designing your kitchen, these little details can massively improve the usability of the space. A flip or pull up socket can make for a much simpler solution for wheelchair users as opposed to sockets placed on walls.

How can we help you

Here at Bluewater Bathrooms and Kitchens we are expert kitchen suppliers based in York, with over 30 years experience in the industry. If you are looking to check out a full cutting edge range of accessible living solutions in a large, independent, and trustworthy warehouse to give you some ideas on how to improve your, or your loved ones lifestyle, our friendly team of advisers are happy to help. If you can’t make it down to see us in person, give us a call on 01904 690069 or drop us an email on info@bluewaterbathroomsandkitchens.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out the contact form on our website and we will call you back at a time to suit you.