Home Remodeling Crash Course: What I Learned the Hard Way

If you are entering retirement, you may be looking for home projects to occupy your time. One project you may be considering is kitchen remodeling. While a remodel is a great way to add value and luxury to a home, it's also a great way to increase accessibility. Even if you are in good health now, you'll appreciate the accessibility as you get older. Here are some changes to consider.

Adding More Light Sources

As people age, it's natural for their eyes to not work as well as they once did. Pupils have a harder time dilating as people get older, meaning it's harder to see in dim light. If your kitchen only has a few overhead lights, consider adding under-cabinet LED lighting. This will make it easier to use appliances and even see crumbs while cleaning. Adding a light to your pantry is also a good upgrade, as it can be hard to see products on the back of shelves.

Removing Shelves and Replacing Them with Pull-Out Drawers

Crouching and bending down to grab pots and pans from a cupboard can wreak havoc on your knees and back. Pull-out drawers are a great remedy since you can pull out the entire drawer and get what you need without straining. Pull-out drawers are also great if you or your spouse need to use a wheelchair. If you are bound to a chair, you may not be able to reach items deeper in the cupboard; with a pull-out drawer, however, all the items can be brought out in plain view.

Changing Out Knobs and Cabinet Hardware

As you age, you may find that's it's difficult to grasp and pull door knobs or cabinet handles. Pain Free Living has many great solutions to make the kitchen easier on people with arthritis. The site says that you should install D-shaped handles since they don't require as much dexterity to use. This kind of hardware can make your kitchen more accessible and keep your hands pain free.

Adjusting the Sink Area

A sink that is too deep means that you will have to stand hunched over to wash dishes. Make sure during your remodel that you opt for a shallow sink. You may want to leave some space under the sink for wheelchair space. If you don't need a wheelchair, this extra space can hold a stool so that you can wash dishes while sitting.

As you can see, there are many great ways to make your kitchen more accessible as you get older. Talk with a local remodeling contractor for more help and information.