What’s you guess as to the places in your home where serious accidents most often occur? Actually, you might be surprised, as many sources identify a multitude of possible hazards inside and out.  The kitchen and bathroom, however are high on every list. So, let’s take a look at some possible safety and ease of use strategies:

KITCHEN

1. Choose the right tool for the task. There are wonderful ergonomic products available for every conceivable job in the kitchen.
2. Utilize drawers in lieu of shelves in base cabinets and pantries for easy access to contents. This eliminates the need to bend down and go searching in the black hole of a deep base cabinet.
3. Bring a portion of upper cabinets down to countertop level for easy seated access for commonly used items.
4. Cabinet pulls are easier to grasp than knobs. Install knobs, pulls, and faucet handles that require no gripping. They should be operable with a closed fist only. Faucets with motion sensor activation are effortless and the ultimate in sanitation.
5. Install appliances with convenience and safety in mind- i.e. lower cooktop, raise dishwasher, and utilize drawer microwaves.

The kitchen cabinets in the photo above are designed for easy access to almost every possible kitchen item that needs to be stored.

BATHROOM

1. Build in flexibility by choosing height adjustable shower heads and hand-held faucets.
2. Mount shower plumbing controls at a lower height for seated operation.
3. Install vanity cabinets that are 34-36” high so that less stooping is required.
4. Create ease of entry with the installation of a curbless shower.
5. Mount grab bars and a fold down seat in the shower.
6. Install a recessed storage niche to keep the walls free of obstacles.

I designed this bathroom base cabinet in a upside-down configuration. The drawers at the bottom provide a whole new layer of storage that is normally lost, and is also easily accessed. It also raises the bottom of the cabinet off it’s close to the floor typical location. Contents are not only more visibly, but also more easily reached! Win-Win! This design can be accomplished with custom or manufactured cabinets.

Curbless, easy entry shower not only looks good, it’s the most functional and easiest to clean and maintain. It is created partly by the channel drain installed along the wall at the far end of the shower. http://www.quickdrainusa.com/