Kitchen Remodel Advice

4 years ago

We’ve been in this 1945 farmhouse for thirty years. We are quasi-retired (ages 72 and 64) who would like to improve our home for openness to entertain and hang out with each other, and to “age in place”.

We are in the early stage of this project, going slowly with the layout, and working with an architect/kitchen designer and a builder. (We still operate our electrical contracting business so know many skilled folks in the area.)

My focus for this post is to get feedback on the floor plan. Things you should know: our septic is for two bedrooms only, my husband and I use both bedrooms, an “aging-in-place” bathroom remodel will take place later, the kitchen dishwasher is purposely placed so wheelchair or walker access is safer in the galley kitchen.

We will install real white oak hardwood flooring to match the rear of the house, use Kraftmaid cabinets (mission-style, painted linen), black leathered granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and range hood, probably BM white-colored walls…

I’m really excited to read your feedback. Thank you.

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Comments (3)

T Jarmuth
Original Author
4 years ago
Here are the elevations.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years ago
I love the style of your home (hate to see the recessed wall cabinet go). Why are you moving the fridge out of the kitchen? I'd prefer the fridge in the kitchen and the tall pantries together--or use that area for a framed reach-in pantry:
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Aglitter
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Having just spent 5 years taking care of a family member with extreme paralysis in a residential home, I can tell you that aging-in-place concerns cannot be fully addressed without more extensive renovation and doorway expansion than you plan to do. Based on your photos, it looks like it would be very difficult for a power wheelchair to turn around in your current kitchen space. Most people in a manual or power wheelchair need a fairly wide turning radius to turn without hitting things. Then, a bathroom renovation is one thing, but access to the bathroom is entirely another, so whether or not sit-to-stand lifts, Hoyer lifts, or rolling bath chairs could enter/exit the bathroom around corners is an entirely different matter. I hope you never need more than a walker to access any part of your home, and indeed most people live their lives and pass on without need for mobility assistance or perhaps just a walker or cane. However, if you or your husband needed more extensive help with mobility, the pathways throughout the house would need to be a lot bigger. That is something you might want to discuss if you are intently set on staying in that home regardless of what health issues may arise. Read recent reviews on KraftMaid. The company was bought out a few years ago, and quality has gone down, particularly with the finish. Also, white cabinetry has been a trend for quite some time now. Other colors are making a mark on kitchen design if you are interested in a fresh approach. My opinion is to renovate your home as you like for now, then if mobility issues ever require more access, look at moving to a home with an existing open floor plan and wide entrances to a roll-in shower setup. Also, get a treadmill and/or stationary bike and use it 5 to 6 days a week to keep your legs strong, and you may just beat all the odds. Best wishes.