AARP HomeFit Video: The Kitchen

Regardless of how many rooms a home has, people tend to congregate in the kitchen (unless banished by the chef). But even the most welcoming kitchen has its hazards. Fires, spills, slips, trips and drops can cause injuries and home damage. Home-fitting interventions can make the kitchen safer and easier to use for every diner, visitor and cook.

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Kitchen Work Spaces

When a countertop and floor are the same or similar colors, it can be hard for people with a vision impairment to distinguish between the edge of a counter and the floor below.

Contrasting colors or patterns — or even a piece of brightly colored duct tape placed along the counter’s edge — can differentiate the surfaces.
A polished floor can be slippery, and a wood or tile floor can be tough to stand on for long periods. Placing cushioned, slip-resistant floor mats by the sink and stove can improve safety and comfort.
It’s helpful to have a spot in the kitchen where household paperwork or cooking tasks can be done while seated. The work surface can be a table, multilevel countertop or pullout platform. Another option is to remove a lower cabinet so the counter space above it can be used as a desk.
Find AARP HomeFit Guide kitchen storage ideas