Universal Design for Kitchens

A Few Simple Changes Can Enhance the Functionality for Any User

Unlike universal kitchens designed years ago, universal design today doesn't mean boring design, but quite the opposite. It is important to note that universal design practices are broader than that of barrier-free design, and are in fact universal. Almost without exception, features or flexibility added to a product to accommodate individuals with temporarily or permanently reduced abilities in some areas have proven to be beneficial to users in general. In many cases, more people without a disability will find features useful than the number of people in the original target audience.

A curb cutout is a good example. First, they were implemented for people in wheelchairs; however, they are used much more often by people on bicycles, baby strollers, pushing grocery carts or wheeled luggage than by people in wheelchairs.

If you've been designing kitchens with your clients' needs in mind, you're probably utilizing universal design. Your clients most likely have specific needs for their families. When designing a universal kitchen, you have to keep in mind the capabilities of each person utilizing the space. In most situations, we are dealing with families with small children, parents and in some cases, even grandparents, so we will take this scenario into consideration. Following are some simple ways to incorporate universal design into a kitchen.

Photo: KraftMaid | Passport Series

Surfaces: make sure they're firm and stable. If there are overhangs on countertops such as snack bars, make sure they are supported well enough for anyone that might use it as an aid for getting up from their chair.

Dish Storage: the bottom shelf typically is the only shelf accessible to average-sized women, and it can also be too high to get a stack of dishes in and out of easily. Utilizing base cabinet drawers as dish storage will make dishes more accessible to people in wheelchairs, shorter people, elderly and for children. When possible, bring wall cabinets down to countertop height to allow more wall storage for dishes. 

Dishwashers: when able, raise the dishwasher 6 to 12 inches from the floor by adding a drawer below or by using two dishwasher drawers mounted side-by-side or on either side of the sink. 

Cabinet Pulls: there are several different options you can use for this application. The touch-latch option for doors and drawers on full overlay or European door styles make the doors longer than the cabinets to create a lip where you could put your hand behind the door to pull open. Knobs and pulls remain good options as long as they are not petite and smooth. Look for larger pieces with plenty of room for your fingers. 

Appliances: some refrigerators are extremely difficult and take way too much strength to open. If designing for somebody with little upper body strength, I would avoid large appliances with heavy doors. Microwave and refrigerator drawers would be better options. 

Light Switches: switches with large flat panels will work best.

Lighting: create well-lit space using combinations of under-cabinet lighting, general lighting, task lighting and decorative lighting. A dimmer switch on each fixture will allow adjustment for every user.

Counter Edges: A countertop that is a contrasting color from surrounding cabinets and the backsplash or countertop, with a contrasting front edge, makes for a visual aid to determine where one surface ends and one begins. 

Wall Ovens: Mount double ovens side-by-side rather than stacked, and mount them at about 30 inches above the floor. 

Faucets: choose faucets that have levers you could operate with a fist, or better yet, faucets with touch control options. Avoid faucets with controls that take a lot of finger strength or dexterity to operate.

Flooring: slip-resistant and non-reflective floors, distressed wood and slate are two examples of universal flooring.

Counter Heights: consider a table height for children, people in wheelchairs, and for those that find sitting and working easier. Create a standard countertop height for an average user, taller heights for taller people and for people that have difficulty bending over. The taller counter height can be anything higher than 36 inches and should be determined by the user.

The Latest Looks You'll Love for 2013

Which design trends are interior decorators seeing as the "next big thing" for 2013? Chevron patterns, glass backsplashes and retractable towel rings are just a few making their way into the latest remodels. Keep in mind that as much as you may want to incorporate the latest design trends in your home, it's important to choose ideas that are practical and will stand the test of time. Here are some suggestions on the freshest finds out there.

Photo: Chevron Pattern | MoenThe time for bold, yet neutral Chevron has come! This pattern is showing up everywhere: on kitchen walls, backsplashes, floors, throw rugs, pillows and shower curtains. Most Chevron patterns alternate black then white then black, but by playing around with alternative colors, you can lessen the impact of the design and achieve a more serene look. 

Another surprising look involved the resurgence of wallpaper and the introduction of wall decals. Since the 60s, people have been using wallpaper to add an accent and some personality to a room. Both wallpaper and wall decals are now removable and a popular option to spice up your home. 

When it comes to spicing up your kitchen, you'll find that creative and beautiful backsplashes are a great way to go. Large, back-painted glass panels require no grout and are one of the hottest looks right now. In the past, backsplashes were a purely functional surface that protected a kitchen or bathroom's walls from sprays and splatters: but today, they're an easy and attractive upgrade.

Photo: American Cabinet & Flooring | Designer Clay Bernard

Photo: Moen MotionSense FaucetIf you're looking for a convenient and eco-friendly upgrade, consider Moen's MotionSense faucet. With just a wave of your hand, you'll trigger the flow of water. Wave your hand again, and you'll turn it off. Its state-of-the-art technology helps to maximize performance, minimize waste and make everyday routines faster and easier.

For another green option in the kitchen, check out the many advantages of bamboo flooring. It's easy to clean, ideal for allergy sufferers and long-lasting. Environmentally friendly (a quick renewable crop). It has extremely low formaldehyde emissions and makes an excellent floor for a healthy home.

Photo: Moen Retractable Towel RingHead to the bathroom for a smart innovation that's quickly growing in popularity: Moen's Retractable Towel Ring. If you're tired of hand towels cluttering countertops, doorknobs and floors, this is your solution. The ring secures your hand towels in place, expands out to 11" and effortlessly retracts back to its original position. It works well in every room with a faucet, including bathroom, kitchen, utility room and garage.

Rounding out our list of updates is the new nature-inspired bathroom. Think rustic tiles. A rock wall in the shower. Wicker baskets. A range of earthy patterns and colors. They're all designed to achieve the feeling of a relaxing, private spa. It's easy to create a beautiful room that feels like you're entering an enchanted grotto or canyon.

These ideas represent just a few of the trends tat are destined to become traditions. You can feel confident knowing that as current as they are, these improvements will easily stay in vogue for years to come. 

Can You Live a Full Life in 220 Square Feet?

Adjusting mind-sets along with furniture may be the key to happiness for tiny-home dwellers.

Tiny homes pose a dilemma: How can you make a pocket-size space comfortable and stylish? The issue has special relevance in San Francisco right now, as the Board of Supervisors gears up for a November 2012 vote on a proposal to allow the construction of microunits as small as 220 square feet.

Small-space living can be an economical choice, but it's also a lifestyle choice, says Felice Cohen, who has lived in a 90-square-foot apartment in Manhattan for almost five years. "If you adjust your thinking on what is 'enough', you'll find that you'll enjoy having the city as your backyard," she says.

Here, professionals share strategies on how you can live a full life in the tiniest of space. 

Photo: JPDA | Michael Pozner's East Village Studio | New York

Look for Opportunities to Customize

JPDA Creative Director Darrick Borowski applauds density and supports living on a smaller footprint. "I don't think the microunits necessarily have to equate to a reduction of living standards," he says. "It can certainly lead to that, but it doesn't have to. Although the skeptic in me is concerned how these units will benefit landowners and people with money, another part of me looks at this as an opportunity to create small homes that are bespoke and reflect the way people are living in cities like San Francisco."

Photo: JPDA | Michael Pozner's Studio

Borowski points to Michael Pozner's studio, at almost 500 square feet, is a great example of a space with hardworking multiuse and disappearing furnishings. "His desk space determined so much of the design around it and really reflected the client's needs," he says. "He worked there, had meetings there, but its professional function could also disappear, and the space could turn into an entertainment center, a bar for food and drinks."

These graphics (below) illustrate how Borowski might custom design a 220-square-foot microunit for a client. "We distill our client's basic functions - the eat, sleep, cook, entertaining graph - into a clear priority set and turn the priorities into space requirements - the second/middle graph," he says. "The third graph investigates the overlaps and inevitably informs the design."

Borowski thinks that what's not shown on the plan is equally important: public or communal space. "The microunits should include a public or communal space allotment," he says. "For example, they could be in buildings with an interior courtyard or a garden. [The city of San Francisco] can make this work and enable people to really wrap their heads around living in 220 square feet by building units within a three-to five-minute walk to a park. 

Photo: JPDA

Felice Cohen, who has since moved from her 90-square-foot unit into a 500-square-foot apartment just two blocks away from her old home, thinks that microunits and tiny homes in general enable people like herself to achieve their goals.

"Microunit living can actually contribute to a better quality of life if your qualifty of life isn't rooted in what's inside your apartment, and if you know that you won't be in the same space forever. The city was and still is my backyard: I go to shows and meet friends at restaurants instead of staying at home watching TV on the couch," she says.

Cohen is quick to point out that there isn't anything wrong with staying home and watching TV, but that microunit living forced her to "find a reason to get up and go," she says. 

Build Up

Architect, writer and Houzz contributor John Hill has a few years of tiny-space living experience. "I lived in a 200-square-foot efficiency, which means that it didn't have a separate kitchen; it was located on one wall of the main space. My friends use to say that I could cook breakfast without getting out of bed - which was almost true," he says.

Hill suggests putting storage up high and keeping closets and other service parts away from the windows of the apartment, to make the space as open as possible. "For 220 square feet, I think a loft bed would work better than something like a sleeper sofa, so the space underneath [the loft] can be used for a desk/study or a TV or a dressing area," he says. 

Hill, who drew the plans for a 220-square-foot space shown here, says that a rolling ladder is essential for the scenario to work. He added a planter box to the window in the kitchen for growing herbs and other plants, lending the space some indoor greenery and giving the microunit dwellers access to some homegrown food without depending on the availability of a garden rooftop.

Interior designer Leslie Banker designed a tiny bedroom for a client in which the desktop was on a hinge, just like on a ship. "When the client worked, she pulled the desk up, and when the desk wasn't it use, she folded it down. She has a small stool to sit on when she uses the desktop, so it tucks away easily," Banker says.

She adds that high ceilings and at least two windows would let in plenty of natural light and give access to a view - preferably an attractive one. "The windows and the view help bring your attention beyond the interior space, which can improve your comfort when living in a tiny, tiny space," she says.

Think Differently

Not everyone is built for microunit living. Cohen says that living in a tiny space requires a kind of discipline and self-awareness that living in a larger home may not foster. "You have to know your priorities, and you must downsize significantly before making the move," she says. "But living in a 90-square-foot apartment let me live comfortably, travel, write a book and eventually buy my own apartment in Manhattan - which is something that is really difficult to do nowadays."

Cohen says that she began and finished packing up her tiny unit on the same day of her big move - just two blocks away from her tiny home. "I remember looking at my upsized 500-square-foot apartment and thinking, 'Wow, there are all these closets and I don't have that much stuff.' The place felt humongous," she says.

Surface Value

Consumers play it safe and practical when choosing kitchen countertops

If you had to sum up current kitchen countertop trends in a few phrases, you might use the following: durability, generational preferences, clean and simple and ice cream sundaes. When taken together, they reflect prevailing consumer attitudes about kitchen remodels (and perhaps home improvement projects in general). Sure, they're renovating for themselves but hey, let's not get too crazy.

Practical Matters

This sentiment may explain why many of the trends may seem familiar and why performance remains a key concern in purchasing decisions, even as aesthetics have assumed more of a leadership role. "The recession had changed people's attitudes about experimentation," said Kelly Morisseau, a Walnut Creek, CA-based designer and author of popular industry blog Kitchen Sync. "I see quartz countertops going as strong as ever but less demand for materials like concrete and stainless steel." In Ambler, PA - David Stimmel - of Stimmel Design Group, still uses concrete countertops in much of his work but agrees engineered stone is king, its popularity no doubt buoyed by its ease of maintenance and durability.

But all is not engineered stone. White marbles, such as Carrara and Calcutta Gold, continue to have their admirers, and thanks to a flood of lower-cost varieties from overseas, granite has not completely gone away, noted Chad Seiders, executive director of Artisan Group. A softer, warmer alternative, solid surfacing has also regained its footing, especially among those with a taste for the sleek, contemporary and even monolithic. "It's a better-performing material in that you can do more with it," said Thomas Perich, North American marketing manager for surfaces at DuPont, citing advantages such as a lack of seams and ability to create coved backsplashes, integral sinks and thick edges. "You just have a lot of flexibility."

Safety in Colors

As to color, the selections are vast and many, yet consumer preferences still tend toward the conservative. "A lot of clients want to go for the bold colors, but in the end, they never really do," Stimmel said. Most play it safe with earth tones, such as creams and caramels, or what Morisseau calls "ice cream sundae colors." Summer Kath, senior director of business development and strategic partnership at Cambria USA, also sees interest in grays, browns, black and, of course, white. Not surprisingly, a recent best seller for Cosentino North America, noted Lorenzo Marquez, the company's VP of marketing, resembles white marble. 

In fact, Martinez said, "We're finding that homeowners and designers are seeking options that offer the aesthetic of, say, a marble or granite," a trend borne out by the latest quartz offerings from Consentino and Cambria. Nature-inspired, the designs are rich in veining and dramatic in movement - a look favored by the older Boomer set whose kitchens are more traditional, said Morisseau. The younger, contemporary inclined are apt to choose calmer options with smaller particulate or, if they live in cosmopolitan areas, solids, which are emerging in Europe, said Perich. 

Mixing and Edging

Where self-expression lets loose is in the mixing of materials and colors - although that, too, can depend on geography - and the varying of countertop thickness, which can range from ½ inch to 1½ inch to 3 inches. Most industry experts agree simple edges and mitered corners are in, but some still field requests for ornate, classic treatments. Also being specified are chiseled edges on engineered and natural stone, as well as wood tops with "a naked or bark edge" that appears as if just sliced from a tree, Stimmel said. Perich has also noticed that in Europe and, to a lesser degree, on these shores, contemporary kitchens are moving toward ultra-thin countertops with virtually no edge.

Developments to watch for? Maybe. Much depends on factors beyond the realm of kitchens and baths - politics, economics, culture - and their impact on consumers' mood. There will always be curiosity and demand for the next big thing, but if the present is any indication, form and function still go hand in hand. 

Creative DIY Halloween Ideas

Halloween is right around the corner, are you ready? Here are a few creative "do-it-yourself" spooktacular ideas found on Pinterest to get you ready for this year's Halloween.

  

1). Better Homes & Gardens | Ghoulish Glaring Eyes

Using Plastic foam balls of varying sizes, draw eyes with black permanent marker and then stick a toothpick to hold the eyes together.

Attach the eyes to a dark colored bench or fence to make them pop.

2). Delia Creates | Magnetic Spiders

Take plastic spider rings from a dollar store, cut off the ring part, stick on magnets with hot glue and put them on your front door.

3). The Girl Who Ate Everything | Dracula's Teeth

Cut cookie in half, frost bottom with red frosting, place marshmallow teeth around curved perimeter, and top with remaining half. Insert two almond slivers in between teeth for fangs.

4). Martha Stewart | Glowing Ghosts

Snap a green glowstick and insert it into a white balloon and tie it. Using a black marker, draw a spooky face. Stick to a wall with transparent tape and turn down the lights.

5). Parents Magazine | Bewitching Welcome Mat

Take some old striped stockings and stuff them with cotton. Glue them underneath a welcome mat and add some witchlike shoes.

6). Simply Stated | Screaming Red Punch with a Hand

Rinse a glove several times an then fill it with water. Tie and freeze solid. Cut the glove off the hand and fingers, and float the molded hand in punch.

7). Country Living | Ghouls' Night Out

Take white tissue wedding bells and glue on construction paper eyes and mouths. Drape with tulle.

8). Squidoo | Jack-O-Lantern Halloween Fog

Fill a large glass half full with hot water. Mix in one cup of salt. Put the glass inside the pumpkin. Then, wearing gloves, drop in 2-3 large pieces of dry ice onto the glass. Put the lid of the pumpkin back on top for a tight fit.

9). Disney Family Fun | Bat-o'-Lanters

Paint mini pumpkins with black acrylic paint. Cut out eyes from white craft foam and hole punch pupils. Glue on eyes. Cut out ears and wings from black craft foam and attach ears by taping a toothpick to the back of each one, inserting the other end into the pumpkin. Tape wooden skewers to the back of each wing and, leaving a 2-inch point exposed, push it into the pumpkin.