If you ask 10 people what features they would like to see in the kitchen of their dreams, you will probably get 10 different responses, although there may be some overlap. At the top of many lists are adequate lighting, spaciousness, plenty of cabinets and additional storage areas, an island that includes informal barstool seating in addition to a more traditional dining area, and state-of-the-art appliances.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 adults conducted by OnePoll for Whirlpool, the average American spends more than 1,000 hours a year in the kitchen, nearly three hours a day. The survey also revealed that nearly half (49%) of the respondents entertain guests at least once a year.
Older adults, however, have specific needs for a kitchen that is not only pleasing to the eye, but that aligns with their lifestyle.
The team at Kitchen Tune-Up, which has been in business for five years, two of them at their Bloomfield location, is aware of the needs of older adults when it comes to designing their dream kitchen, according to Bloomfield resident Steven Livingston, owner with his wife, Takia. The Livingstons explored a number of business opportunities before deciding to pursue kitchen design. “It was the remodeling of our own home that led us here today,” he says. Together, with the help of their assistant general manager Patty D’Angelo, they have designed hundreds of kitchens.
“A layout that reduces bending and reaching is key when creating kitchens for older adults,” Livingston says. “Features such as pull-out drawers, Lazy Susans, and adjustable shelves are also desirable. These customizable options can help maximize the functionality and enjoyment of the kitchen, ensuring a place for everything in one of the busiest rooms in the home.”
Lighting that enhances a kitchen’s visibility is especially critical, not only for older adults, but for everyone. Many older homes lack optimal lighting in the kitchen, Livingston notes. “Well-lit spaces enhance a modern kitchen, especially under-cabinet lighting, to make the space safer and easier to navigate,” he says, adding that Kitchen Tune-Up offers solutions that incorporate brighter, energy-efficient lighting.
While cooking and entertaining are enjoyable for many, most people don’t want to spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning and maintaining their kitchen, Livingston adds. “Low-maintenance materials are best and our Rigid Thermal Foil Cabinets are perfect for seniors, offering durability and easy upkeep, which is ideal for hassle-free cleaning and ensures the longevity of the kitchen,” he explains.
Having adequate storage is also on many wish lists. For older adults, this means easy accessibility and keeping frequently used items within reach, with features such as deep drawers and pull-out shelves, Livingston notes, adding that the Cabinet Redooring or Refacing plan is optimal for achieving this.
“Cabinet resurfacing is popular with our clients,” he says. “It can give a kitchen a new look by replacing door fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes intact. We can also add features like soft-close drawers and larger, easy-to-grip handles, minimizing strain on hands and preventing accidents.”
The team at Kitchen Tune-Up observes that clients’ kitchen design preferences have changed in the past few years. “We’re getting away from white and grey and moving towards more colorful neutrals such as deep blue,” Livingston says, adding that most of today’s clients prefer wooden versus synthetic materials for cabinets. For quartz countertops, people are choosing a softer look, with less veining. Other popular touches are gold-plated hardware, floating shelves, and the farmhouse sink, with its deep basin and an exposed apron that extends down from the countertop to the sink’s base.
Houzz, an online community with information on home design, offers additional suggestions when creating kitchens for older adults:
· Keeping the sink close to the stove will prevent having to carry heavy pots of liquid from the sink to the cooktop.
· A shallow sink (6” to 8”) will make it easier to rinse produce and dishes.
· Rounded countertops and open-shelf edges are safest.
The Livingstons take pride in the fact that they work with their own crew. “It’s the same crew that customers meet at the start of a project through its completion,” says Steven Livingston. “And all crew members have received training that meets national standards.”
Many Kitchen Tune-Up customers tell Livingston that they wish they had remodeled earlier. “Prior to remodeling, they envisioned a stressful and chaotic experience, but are always surprised to find out what a positive experience it is,” he says.
Kitchen Tune-Up
1285 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ
https://www.kitchentuneup.com/
Phone: 855-429-7858
“Kitchen Tune-Up customers tell Livingston that they wish they had remodeled earlier”
“…what a positive experience it is.”