Ergonomics and Kitchen Remodeling
Today’s kitchen is a far cry from the dining room it was decades ago. With the evolution of functions that have become integral from being an area for preparing food and cooking to a place for gathering and entertaining guests, it has discredited the living room as the new heart of the home. Therefore, kitchen remodeling has taken center stage when it comes to home improvement and one of the newest concepts being integrated is ergonomic design.
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel to spruce up your New York home, read on for the basics of renovation ergonomics. Learning the basics and benefits is sure to be worth your time and money, whether you’re on Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, or Brooklyn.
Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with making systems and equipment conform to human capacity. When applied to kitchen remodeling or any other home improvement, it involves designing the layout and specific work areas to complement the physical characteristics of the people using the area and how they use it. This may refer to height or other factors, such as having children or people with disabilities in the home. The harmony achieved between the design and the personal needs of the family means that tasks are carried out in the most comfortable and efficient way.
Ergonomics in kitchen remodeling ensures less physical strain when getting things done. Some of the elements that help optimize area productivity include distance, heights, depths, and tolerances. Some ideas that you can implement in the project to achieve an ergonomic design include:
Enough floor space to separate one cabinet, appliance, or other fixture from another. This makes getting around easier, especially when another family or guest decides to help out.
Deeper sinks are more ideal. Aside from practically keeping dirty dishes out of sight, these can also make it easier to clean larger items like pots, pans, and trays without too much splashing and spilling.
Go to custom measurements. Countertops typically top out at the 36″ standard, which often causes homeowners to slouch, especially those who are taller. With ergonomics, I would plan for taller countertops for a more comfortable posture. This would also create more sitting space. storage.
Storage is a crucial element in your quest to achieve ergonomics in your kitchen remodeling project. Sufficient storage space promotes better organization and avoids clutter that easily hampers productivity in the area. Maximize storage by using innovative cabinet and drawer features like organizers, bottle or plate racks, magic corner units and others to allow more to be stored.
ยท In addition to comfort and ease, another issue that ergonomics addresses in kitchen remodeling is safety. If pets or small children are part of the household, consider project additions and arrangements that could make the kitchen safer for them: keep cutlery somewhere out of reach, have magnetic locks on your cabinets, Have a place where the kids can hang out like a bar or breakfast table to keep them from disturbing busy adults.