Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020 - 28

HOT TOPIC

LEFT Elkay's new Dart Canyon

workstation features dual
depths, a work shelf and
multiple accessories to help
aid users of all ages, abilities
and heights.

RIGHT Signature Kitchen Suite
oï¬ers articulating handles that
make opening the oven door
eï¬ortless.
BELOW RIGHT Previously dark,
restricted cabinet corners
can now be upgraded using
features like HÃ¤fele's Magic
Corner, which is illuminated
with Loox LED lighting.

Safe and Sound

A handful of kitchen design
considerations for living in place

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ARE PARAMOUNT for today's designers and space
planners who are guiding clients in making their homes accessible, comfortable and safe. Our job is to help our clients and other industry professionals
make choices in a complex and forever-changing marketplace.The following
are several recommendations that can be universally applied.

1. Lighting is no longer an aftermarket accessory. The emergence of longlasting and durable LED options has created new opportunities other
than traditional and task lighting applications.Today, we bring integrated
lighting channels inside cabinetry and drawers. Despite having a small
footprint, LEDs are bright and produce a saturated light color that highlights interior cabinet contents. This solution works well in interior base,
wall and tall cabinetry.
LED lights should be dimmable to increase visibility and also reduce
strain and glare. With the longevity of LED, this means our clients do not
have to change bulbs, reducing the possibility of injuries and falls. From a
wellness standpoint, dimmable and color-tunable LED lights are beneficial
for seasonal affective disorder and circadian rhythms. Motion-sensing or
smart speaker-activated light switches are in high demand.
2. Good cabinet design features soft-close, full-extension, heavy-duty
drawer glides and doors with soft-close hinges. Internal accessories
should feature drawer organizers for silverware and utensils. Compartments with designated storage help users with cognitive issues remember
where each item can be found, reducing confusion and possible injury
in the kitchen.
Having a specified place for everything also helps our younger cooks in
the kitchen. Children can make a snack or help put the dishes away because
they know where things go. Sometimes something as simple as putting a
label on a shelf for canned goods or a special basket in the pantry for snacks
helps users of all ages.
For a baker with limited mobility or strength who may struggle with
a heavy mixer, a popular lift-assist option can be added to a base cabinet.
Power and lighting can be provided in the cabinet, and storage for the mixer
tools can be conveniently located in an adjacent drawer.This option can be
specified in either a manually operated or motorized version.

ALAN ZIELINSKI, CKD,
CLIPP, is president of
Niles, Ill.-based Better
Kitchens Inc.
EBONY J.
STEPHENSON, CLIPP,
CAPS, is owner of
Designs by Ebony LLC
based in Newport
News, Va.

As Certified Living in Place Professionals, we can also take this a step
further by specifying a hidden storage lift that is built into the cabinetry and
countertop. Corner cabinets with pullouts make blind corners accessible by
bringing your items out to you, instead of having to reach into the depths of
a cabinet. Pull-down features for wall cabinets are also favorable. Cabinet
handles should be in a closed " C " or " D " shape so that they will not snag
clothing, purses or bags.
3. Living in place designers should be mindful of countertop heights so
that there is comfortable use for everyone, including those seated or in a
wheelchair.To minimize glare, try to choose a material that is either matte,
leathered or honed. There are endless options when it comes to colors and
patterns. We suggest choosing a less busy pattern to avoid visual confusion.
A contrasting color with smooth edges helps aid in depth perception, as
well as preventing injuries such as skin abrasions when one rubs against the
countertops. For the layout, make sure to have ample countertop space next
to your appliances and sink.
4. Smart technology continues to move into the plumbing and appliance
marketplace at a rapid rate, and this doesn't always mean electronics.The
Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) ease-of-access Pro Range Articulating
Handle requires significantly less effort to open the oven door. With
our busy lives, meals can now be prepared beforehand and safely cooked
using sous-vide, which is incorporated into the new SKS 48-in. DualFuel Range with steam assist, two-zone induction and SmartThinQ
Technology that links to your smart device.
5. COVID-19 has prompted us to pay more attention to our plumbing
fixture needs, including touchless and smart speaker-enabled faucets.
Now more than ever, automated soap dispensers should be located at
the sink. Storage for sanitizing wipes and waste disposal should also be
easily accessible. Consider having double-gang outlets under the sink
to accommodate touchless faucets and water-leak sensors.
Recommendations like these help us designers create a safer home environment considering inclusion for all family members and guests.
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/ NOV.-DEC. 2020 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business - November/December 2020

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