Contrary to what you might assume, making your personal kitchen more accessible doesn’t necessarily mean expensive renovations nor involve tearing down walls. Whether you’re living alongside someone with a disability, have limited strength and mobility yourself, or struggle with visual challenges, these simple tips can make your kitchen both safer and much easier to utilise — without draining your wallet in the process.
1. Get Into Intelligent Reorganisation
The easiest way to begin improving your kitchen’s accessibility is, fortunately, completely free of charge. Simply start by rearranging the kitchen appliances, cutlery and other items you already have.
Your most frequently used tools — including plates and other utensils — should be moved to the most accessible locations, such as to lower shelves or countertop organisers. If bending down is difficult due to a disability, consider placing essentials in the middle shelf range, which is roughly waist-high for a seated person.
Besides that, you could use sticky notes or something similar to clearly label shelves or storage bins. It’s a very cheap method that goes a long way toward making everything easier to find and reach.
2. Add Pull-Out Shelves and Lazy Susans
Deep cabinets can be a nightmare, so installing pull-out shelves in corner cabinets makes it easier to grab what you need without having to reach far. For dining tables, consider installing a spinning tray — otherwise known as a ‘lazy Susan’ — to make food far more accessible while staying seated.
These upgrades are all relatively affordable, easy to install with basic tools, and can be found in most home improvement stores or simply purchased cheaply online.
3. Change Out Cabinet and Drawer Handles
Swap small knobs with large D-shaped handles. They’re easier to grip and pull, especially for people with arthritis or limited finger movement. These handles are cheap, available at any hardware store, and can be installed even with limited experience.
4. Use Touch or Lever Faucets
Twisting knobs can be tough to handle, so swapping them out for a simple lever-style faucet would make usage far easier. If you have a little more budget, go for a touch-activated faucet to completely remove the need for gripping.
5. Non-Slip Mats & Easy-Clean Surfaces
Slipping hazards are a very real concern, though circumventing the issue only requires affordable solutions such as rubber mats near the sink and stove. If you have more funds to spare, you could even consider installing textured floor tiles.
Meanwhile, cover workspaces with easy-to-clean materials like plastic sheets or cutting mats to simplify cleanup and maintain hygiene.
6. Employ These Easy Appliance Tips
If at all possible, ensure the appliances you purchase have large buttons and clear markings. To increase accessibility for those with impacted visual ability, consider adding tactile stickers or even Braille labels, at least for the frequently used tools and storage areas.
If you want to go the extra mile, purchasing microwave carts with wheels allows you to reposition appliances for easier access as and when required.
Start Slow & Affordable
Creating an accessible kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little creativity and the right low-cost tools, anyone can design a space that supports independence and safety, regardless of one’s physical challenges.
References
Holly Honeycutt (2023) 5 Ideas for an Accessible Kitchen [Accessed 5 May 2025] Available at: https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/five-ideas-accessible-kitchen
Deslaurier (2023) 7 Ways to Increase Accessibility in a Kitchen Design [Accessed 5 May 2025] Available at: https://www.deslaurier.com/en-ca/learning-centre/creating-an-accessible-kitchen-design
Hiranmayi Srinivasan (2021) 6 Low-Cost Updates to Make Your Kitchen Wheelchair Accessible [Accessed 5 May 2025] Available at: https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/remodeling/wheelchair-accessible-kitchen-updates/