How to make your kitchen more accessible

The right kitchen can help make a house feel like a home, giving you the space to cook and prepare delicious meals for yourself and your loved ones.

If you’re dealing with illness, injury, or disability, being in the kitchen may be challenging as it isn’t equipped to support your needs. Creating an accessible kitchen can promote independence and safety, especially for individuals with disabilities and reduced mobility. 

As part of our series on home adaptations, we’re looking at ways different rooms around the home can be improved to make them more accessible. 

What is an adapted kitchen?

An adapted kitchen is equipped to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. It has features, modifications and products to improve accessibility, safety, and ease of use, such as lowered counters and cabinets, grab rails, kitchen aids, and more. 

Adapted kitchens for disabled individuals can allow them to confidently and comfortably complete daily kitchen activities. Complete Care Shop has a wide range of kitchen aids to make your life easier. 

Home adaptations

There are many ways you can modify your kitchen to make it more accessible. Most of these adaptation ideas require a professional fitter to install. For the best results, make sure to find one that specialises in accessibility adaptations.

• Height-adjustable sinks
  These are a great option if you or a loved one are wheelchair users, as they allow you to set the sink at the right height for your needs. They’re a great way to boost your independence without straining and struggling to access your sink when washing your hands or dishes.
• Lowered worktops
  If you use a wheelchair, installing lowered worktops in your kitchen will give you a comfortable work surface and make it much easier to prepare your food or drinks, as everything will be at the right level for you to work with.
• Height-adjustable cabinets
  These can make it easier to reach and use essential items, which may be stored away higher in standard cabinets.
• Grab rails
  Grab rails offer you extra stability and support to reduce the risk of any falls or accidents. 

Read our home adaptations guide to learn more about making your home more accessible. If a kitchen renovation isn’t possible, smaller adjustments and products can improve accessibility and safety in the kitchen.

Kitchen aids

At Complete Care Shop, we have a selection of kitchen aids to increase your safety and independence in the kitchen.

• Kettle tippers
  A kettle tipper could be invaluable if you have arthritis or limited strength or dexterity in your hands. By using a kettle tipper instead of a standard kettle on its own, you can reduce your risk of burning yourself or spilling boiling water. You can get kettle tippers that include both the kettle and the tipper or just a tipper to match your existing kettle.
• Can, bottle, and jar openers
  These require minimal grip strength, making it easy to open cans, jars, and bottles independently and without strain. 
• Knob turners
  Tap turners and knob turners are designed to fit over the top of what you’re trying to turn, giving you more grip and leverage and making the task much easier

• Kitchen trolleys
  A kitchen trolley can be handy if you need a little support while walking and carrying items simultaneously. These trolleys can help make it much easier and safer for you to take your meals from the kitchen to another room with less risk of spilling.

Eating and drinking aids

As well as cooking aids, we also have a range of eating and drinking aids to make the process easier.

• Ergonomic cutlery
  These are designed for ease of use for individuals with limited grip strength. Find anything from bendable cutlery to easy-grip spoons and more.
• Cups and mugs
  Handling traditional drinkware can be challenging for some individuals. We have a selection of double-handled and easy-grip cups and mugs to make it easier for you and reduce the risk of spills.
• Plates and bowls
  Heavy plates can cause strain for disabled individuals or those with reduced strength. Our plates and bowls are lightweight and durable, with some high-sided and rubber-bottom options, so they stay in place while you eat. 
• Adult bibs
  Adult bibs help make your mealtimes stress-free by protecting your clothing to make cleaning up easier. 

Make your home more accessible with Complete Care Shop

Accessible and adapted kitchens for disabled individuals can make life much easier, improving quality of life and giving you the security and independence you need to prepare your meals. Shop our range of kitchen aids to help make cooking enjoyable again.

Remember to browse our home adaptations guide to see how else you can make your home more accessible. Alternatively, if you’re not sure where to start with adapting your home to meet your needs, see our Home Living Consultation Service, where a registered Occupational Therapist will assess your needs and offer recommendations for changes you can make.