Do you have a small kitchen that is not architecturally possible to enlarge?   Do you need additional storage within an “accessible” reach range?  When looking at a standard kitchen, a significant amount of storage is “out-of-reach”.  For people with disabilities AND a small kitchen, the issues are compounded.

But take heart!  Smaller kitchens need great organization products to convert from “small and inefficient” to “small and functional”.  There are some unique organization products on the market which will work well for individuals with limited reach ranges. 

Accessible Storage for People with Disabilities
As a start, base cabinet shelving can be removed and replaced with pull-out shelves.  It’s like having a drawer inside your cabinet.  Pull-out shelves are available with solid bottoms or wire “basket” style and are easily available at home improvement centers.

If you are unable to reach items on the upper shelves in your wall cabinets, you may want to consider installing a pull-down or swing-down shelving system.  This hinged shelving system is mounted in upper wall cabinets in place of fixed or adjustable shelving and brings items down closer to countertop level.  You may also consider installing some open shelves between your upper cabinets and the countertop.  Be sure to still leave some space long the counter for the toaster or coffee maker.

Just as for corner base cabinets, “lazy-susans” are available for upper corner wall cabinets.  This allows you to bring items stored at the back corner towards the front opening.

Appliance Lifts
If you have difficulty lifting and moving small appliances such as a mixer, food processor, etc., an “appliance or mixer lift” shelf can be installed in base cabinets.  The appliance is placed on the shelf and stored in a base cabinet.  When needed for use, the shelf is easily pulled out of the cabinet and rises to counter height with very little effort. 

We have recently seen upper wall cabinets and base cabinets with “pull-out pantry units”, where the entire shelving system pulls out from the wall allowing access to the shelves from the side.  Some manufactures also provide full height pantry shelving that can be as tall as 80” above the floor, with a width of 9” to 20” that can roll out of the cabinetry.  This is especially functional in small kitchens where there isn’t adequate width to install a traditional pantry cabinet.

Limited Countertop Space
Often times in a small kitchen, countertops are used to store a toaster, coffee maker, mixer, etc., leaving little counter space for use as a work area.  Pull-out bread boards can be added in a kitchen to provide additional work surfaces.  Some individuals who tire easily will use a chair on casters to sit in while preparing meals.  Use of a bread board as a work surface provides knee clearance below to accommodate use of a chair without loosing valuable storage space in base cabinets.  Pull-out bread boards can also provide convenient counter space when positioned adjacent to an oven, microwave, refrigerator or cooktop.

In some kitchen situations, availability of two bread boards, one on top of the other, with the lower board having a hole cut out of it the size of a commonly used mixing bowl.  After the top board is used for cutting and chopping, the food items can be pushed from the top board into a bowl placed in the hole of the lower board.  For those with dexterity issues, the bread board with a hole can hold a bowl for you to avoid “spinning” when using an electric mixer.

Cabinet Conversion
In a laundry or bath, a base cabinet drawer can be converted to store a pull-out ironing board that folds away into the space of a drawer.  When pulling out the drawer front, the ironing board unfolds and rises to counter height.  Other options include wall mounted ironing boards that recess into a wall cabinet.

For additional guidance, consult with your cabinet maker or installer.  If you have access to the internet, you can view the following company websites, or feel free to call the manufacturers directly to request a catalog or identify a showroom representative in your area.  And remember… bigger doesn’t always mean better…when it comes to kitchens.

Rev-a-Shelf 
1-800-626-1126

Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
1-800-253-1561

Häfele America Co.
1-800-423-3531

Improvements®
1-800-634-9484

Jane A. Hampton, CID, CAPS is the President and Founder of Accessibility Design, a Minneapolis, MN based home access design, consultation, and project management company (est.1992). As a Certified Interior Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Jane Hampton was one of the early pioneers in developing the specialty niche of home access and defining what it is today. She and her company have captured the essence of Universal Design, Aging in Place, and Home Access and have helped thousands enhance their lives by refining residential access and independent living. She is looked to as an expert in the field, as well as an educator on both a regional and national level.  

For more information regarding Jane Hampton and her company Accessibility Design, please visit www.accessibilitydesign.com.

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