Accessibility in the kitchen does not mean doing without, but rather well thought-out convenience in a functional design.
Good planning is half the battle: Whether you use a wheelchair or have other disabilities - barrier-free planning creates freedom, safety and independence in everyday life.
A barrier-free kitchen is a living space designed according to ergonomic principles that allows all people - regardless of physical limitations - to use it without restriction. Characteristic features include work areas that can be driven under, height-adjustable modules and an intuitive arrangement of appliances that together create a safe and self-determined cooking experience in the centre of the home.
When planning, there are a number of factors to consider that distinguish an accessible kitchen from a standard kitchen:
Good to know: The perfect barrier-free kitchen is always customised. For example, wheelchair users have different needs to people with visual impairments.
If you can determine the layout of your barrier-free kitchen yourself, you should ensure generous freedom of movement. An area of at least 1.5 x 1.5 metres makes it easy to move around the room in a wheelchair. In a two-line kitchen, there should be no less than 120 centimetres between the opposite lines.
Tip: Open-plan kitchens often impress with their particularly generous amount of space - and therefore offer more freedom of movement.
The optimum worktop height in an accessible kitchen is 85 to 90 centimetres. The fridge, hob, oven and dishwasher should also be at around this height so that you can access them safely and conveniently.
Pull-out shelves, drawers and height-adjustable cupboards ensure optimum accessibility to kitchen utensils. Specially equipped wall units lower you electronically: They move to the perfect height for you at the touch of a button. Soft-Close mechanisms reduce the risk of injury and require less force to close.
The work triangle shortens the distances in every kitchen. You arrange the main work areas - storage zone, hob and sink - in a triangle. Ideally, the individual elements should be no more than 1.5 metres apart.
Tip: Read more about short distances in the kitchen.
In a one-line kitchen, the triangle becomes a straight line: Position appliances and storage space so that you move in a single line from removing the ingredients to washing, chopping and preparation.
Would you like to know more about how to plan your barrier-free kitchen? Our specialist dealers will be happy to advise you!
Worktops with wheelchair access create space for the wheelchair. They are useful except in work areas around the sink. With rollable base units, you can utilise flexibly movable storage space - electrically operated if required. Finally,features such as sensor-controlled taps and lighting solutions increase cooking enjoyment in the accessible kitchen.
Older people in particular usually have higher demands when it comes to kitchen lighting. 800 to 1,000 lux are considered ideal.
Optimised lighting design ensures safety and maximum precision by consistently eliminating shadows on the work surface. A combination of direct task lighting and soft ambient lighting creates a functional living space without visual barriers. Intuitively positioned sensors and a light intensity of up to 1,000 lux ensure a clear view of fresh ingredients in your barrier-free kitchen at any time of day.
In an accessible kitchen, non-slip and hard-wearing flooring is essential to ensure maximum safety for people with walking aids or wheelchairs. Ideally, you should choose materials with a high slip resistance class (R10/R11) that can also be laid without thresholds to promote a smooth transition to the rest of the living space. A level base not only makes it easier to move around, but also emphasises the aesthetic appeal of modern kitchen architecture, in which functionality and high-quality design merge.
To optimise ergonomics in an existing kitchen, you should focus on accessibility, visibility and reducing unnecessary routes:
In a barrier-free kitchen, the base height of cabinets is 30 centimetres and the legroom is 70 centimetres. Wheelchair-accessible furniture allows for comfortable handling of the kitchen units.
Sockets and switches should be installed at the optimum height. For switches, this is 85 centimetres above the floor, and for sockets, 40 centimetres above the floor.
Extendable work surfaces and additional storage space under kitchen appliances increase safety and reduce distances. Pull-out cupboards provide a perfect overview of their contents, while height-adjustable work surfaces and lowerable wall cabinets can be flexibly adapted to your needs.
Controls in an accessible kitchen must be intuitively accessible and easy to operate without requiring significant effort. Opt for large bar handles, handle-free push-to-open systems or sensor-controlled solutions that can also be operated with limited hand mobility. The planning freedom of a barrier-free kitchen allows handles to be placed in the ideal grip range between 40 and 100 cm in height, offering comfort for all users.
An induction hob combined with a BORA hob extractor (downdraft system) is the ideal choice, as it combines maximum energy efficiency with maximum safety (thanks to a cool surface). This solution eliminates bulky extractor hoods, guarantees a clear view and is easy to use thanks to the controls located directly on the hob.
‘Barrier-free’ describes a design that makes everyday life easier for people with various disabilities through simple handling and good ergonomics. ‘Wheelchair-accessible’ goes one step further and places stricter requirements on technical details such as wheelchair-accessible worktops and specific turning circles. BORA supports both approaches with innovative products that make an optimal cooking experience possible for everyone.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
