Designing for the Future Continued

It's great if you remodel your home to be more accessible.  It means you are planning for the future and reducing unnecessary future expenses.  But if you can't get into your house with a wheelchair than it doesn't matter how well you designed the inside.  So consider adding a sloped sidewalk instead of front steps when designing your entrance.

It is also a good idea to have a bedroom on the bottom floor, or at least some room that could be converted to a bedroom when needed.  That way if anything were to happen to a member of your family he or she would still have a room on the main floor that they could access.

Also consider adding some low storage.  I think this plate drawer is a good idea.  Plates are heavy and lift them over your head when you get older maybe become more difficult.  This is a great solution. 

Also, think about this...your in a wheelchair and are trying to do laundry or cook dinner...are you controls on your stove, washer & dryer in the front are the back.  Reaching over a hot stove to turn the burner off with limited mobility or in a wheelchair can be dangerous or nearly impossible.  

These front loading washers have front controls for easy access.  Also the washer and dryer can be elevated if need to help with better access to the doors so you don't have to bend over to reach them.

These are a few of the ideas that I have for improving your home for the future.  If you have more ideas for me and the readers I would love to hear them.

Posted on Mon, July 16, 2012 by Cindy Aplanalp filed under

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Kingwood electrician wrote:
Thank you for sharing excellent information. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles.

Mon, July 30, 2012 @ 3:45 AM

2. Divesh wrote:
First figure out what your new style will be and then work from the top down, so yes, it's wise to revome the drop ceiling before or at the same time you revome the cabinets. If you can't afford to buy all new cabinets, try buying unfinished ones, or ones you put together yourself which may cost less. It would be great if you found used kitchen cabinets inexpensively, and then if necessary, paint everything to match. Habitat for Humanity "Re-Stores" sells used cabinets and other building materials, if you have one nearby, or check local ads. One easy way to redesign or open up your kitchen is to see if there's a non bearing wall that can be revomed to create an island, or partially revomed to make a breakfast bar. Make sure you have a licensed contractor or architect advise you on this. Recycle your old, shallow cabinets as a base for this new bar top and use them to store cans and bottles. Or just use the cabinet doors to act as a facade for a plywood base. On an end facing cabinet, take the doors off and add a four inch high piece of trim across the front of the shelf, creating a place to display cookbooks, etc. (sideways with the faces pointing out) If you want to wait to change out appliances, for a few bucks, you can make them look better with appliance paint. You'd be surprised how much money you can save and yet have a custom look with Faux paint or Venetian plaster techniques on your kitchen back splash. Save money by renting or buying an inexpensive tile saw and lay the floor or back splash tiles yourself. The materials are quite reasonable and since your kitchen is so small you can pick up great deals on clearance. The key is to make a plan and be realistic about how much free time you have to devote to this project each month and do it in phases. Set a goal as to when you would like to have it done and put periodic reminders in your calendar to see if you are on target with your goals.Happy remodeling-decorating!

Tue, August 7, 2012 @ 6:02 AM

3. Misiones wrote:
Hi! I just stumbled on your blog today. I love your dsiegn style! You have literally inspired me to go to dsiegn school! In the last year, I have found a passion in decorating. I stay up sometimes all hours of the night looking at magazines and searching blogs. Speaking of cabinets, I really want to paint my kitchen cabinets. My walls are a barn red. They were like that when we moved in and I kept them because they were kind of nice and I was pregnant. What color cabinets would go with red walls? Is white the only color? I love love green, but that would look like Christmas! What would you suggest? Thanks!

Tue, August 7, 2012 @ 7:49 AM

4. Cindy wrote:
Misiones, I'm so glad I could inspire you. I would love to give you a few suggestions what is your email address?

Wed, August 8, 2012 @ 11:11 AM

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