Aging in place, kitchen aisles and master bath lighting

7 years ago

Spouse and I are having a house custom built; we're empty nesters with two living parents each who might live with us or visit. We're planning for aging in place.

We have already discussed the following with builder, architect, designer, cabinet guy, lighting provider, etc. and now we're down to making decisions.

In the kitchen, the distance between the perimeter counter (stove) and island (sink) is in the plans at 48". I figured that we could go down to 45" and be fine. The framers put in the island half-wall, and the space, cabinet to cabinet (NOT in place yet), would be at 42". We need to decide whether to have them move it; we do have room to move the island 3" or 5" into the open-concept living area (consistent with the plans). One of us is ok with 42", the other isn't sure. But now that I write this, I'm thinking I'm answering my own question. And who should pay for this 5" difference, us or the framers or the builder?

In the master bath, we have two sinks, with a Modern Forms Cloud LED light, 28" wide over each (and cans too, in the ceiling). I will also have, on my side, an inset mirrored medicine cabinet. I need a lot of light to see, to put on contacts, makeup, etc. I'm started second guessing my lighting needs, so the designer and the lighting person suggested a Kohler lighted medicine cabinet. Is that too much? Think I'm answering my own question again.

Thoughts?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Design Loft Bracebridge
7 years ago
Be great to see the plan to advise properly but If you're saying that you have a sink & range across from each other, it's advisable to have that 48". Have you calculated your dimensions from the countertop or from the range? The range will be sticking out further than the countertop (don't forget to include the handle of the range.

Designing for "ageing in place" also has to do with contrasting colours for hard of seeing eyes, & handles/knobs which are easier to grab hold of. Everything needs to be of little effort.
Mrs Pete
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
One of us is ok with 42", the other isn't sure.

Since your cabinets aren't finished, go down to Lowes or Home Depot with your tape measure. You'll see that their cabinet/island displays tend to be 42" apart ... and it feels "just right" to me. But the point is, look /measure /decide for yourself.

I'm started second guessing my lighting needs, so the designer and the lighting person
suggested a Kohler lighted medicine cabinet. Is that too much?

Put in all the lights you're considering ... but be sure the fixtures are on separate switches, and you can use exactly what you need today, tomorrow, whenever. But you'll be prepared.
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PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 years ago
Spend a day in a wheelchair in your current house. Keep a pad of paper and pencil with you to record all the difficulties you come across. Do not use a smart phone or iPad to take notes because when you throw your pad of paper across the room in frustration it will not break.
lexma90
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the comments. We will have a cooktop, not a range, with big buttons on top. 45" is the distance in our current space, so I know exactly how that feels for our needs today, and one pass-through area is 42", so I planned to have spouse and I stand there at the same time, to see what that feels like. But I started thinking of a wheelchair or a cane or a walker, and 42" does not seem like enough. As explained to me, that's the measurement from cabinet front to cabinet front - but I will ask the builder to confirm.

And on the bathroom light, yes the lighted medicine cabinet would be on a separate switch, with a dimmer.