How to Futureproof Your Kitchen
Discover the elements to focus on for a beautiful kitchen that will function fabulously for users of any age
Successfully planning a kitchen that will work beautifully for you, or other family members, well into later life comes down to a number of factors. Considerations include safety, functionality, ease of use – and sustainability, because taking all of these on board means you’ll be building something that will last.
“We are frequently considering how things will work in 20 years’ time and all that’s in between,” designer Steve Root says. “That means thinking about how the homeowners’ needs might change, how lifestyles may develop, how things will wear and break and, thus, how they can be maintained.”
But if you think that means a characterless kitchen, you couldn’t be further from the truth. All of the ideas below, from drawer storage to eye-level appliances and contrasting colours, will be ones you’ll warm to, whatever your stage in life, because when form and function meaningfully collide, you’re winning at design.
Professional advice from: Matt Payne of Roundhouse; Steve Root of Roots Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms; Eva Byrne of houseology
More in this series: How to Futureproof Your Bathroom
“We are frequently considering how things will work in 20 years’ time and all that’s in between,” designer Steve Root says. “That means thinking about how the homeowners’ needs might change, how lifestyles may develop, how things will wear and break and, thus, how they can be maintained.”
But if you think that means a characterless kitchen, you couldn’t be further from the truth. All of the ideas below, from drawer storage to eye-level appliances and contrasting colours, will be ones you’ll warm to, whatever your stage in life, because when form and function meaningfully collide, you’re winning at design.
Professional advice from: Matt Payne of Roundhouse; Steve Root of Roots Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms; Eva Byrne of houseology
More in this series: How to Futureproof Your Bathroom
2. Do drawers
Similarly, gliding out a well-made drawer that shows its contents at a glance makes for easier work than delving around in a dark cupboard. As such, these are something the experts strongly recommend. “Drawers allow for easy access to the full depth of a storage space,” Steve says.
Internal drawers, he points out, ideally need units of at least 40cm wide to be effective. “A little space is lost in the width to clear the door hinges,” he says.
However, Steve sounds a note of caution about pull-outs where the front is attached to a tall unit of racks. “These work well for narrow spaces – and we most often use them in 30cm-wide tall cabinets – but clients have a tendency to fill them with heavy things,” he says. “While technically fine, the [force] needed in opening and closing a heavily loaded system is a consideration and we’ll avoid this in favour of internal drawers where possible.”
Similarly, gliding out a well-made drawer that shows its contents at a glance makes for easier work than delving around in a dark cupboard. As such, these are something the experts strongly recommend. “Drawers allow for easy access to the full depth of a storage space,” Steve says.
Internal drawers, he points out, ideally need units of at least 40cm wide to be effective. “A little space is lost in the width to clear the door hinges,” he says.
However, Steve sounds a note of caution about pull-outs where the front is attached to a tall unit of racks. “These work well for narrow spaces – and we most often use them in 30cm-wide tall cabinets – but clients have a tendency to fill them with heavy things,” he says. “While technically fine, the [force] needed in opening and closing a heavily loaded system is a consideration and we’ll avoid this in favour of internal drawers where possible.”
3. Rethink the height of appliances
While under-the-counter units can be great for food and lighter items, such as glassware and day-to-day crockery, it may not be the best way to go for ovens, dishwashers, fridges and freezers.
With ovens, Matt recommends eye-level installation. “Having food at eye level is much easier to put in and take out than bending down into an oven beneath the counter and getting a face full of steam.”
“Put in an eye-level microwave too,” Eva suggests, “and explore options for accessible dishwashers, such as a drawer dishwasher. If space allows, place your dishwasher on a raised base [as seen here].”
“The ideal for easy access to fridges and freezers would also be eye level if possible,” Steve says. However, where it isn’t possible, under-counter may have other benefits, depending on the space.
“[A recent] design had us selecting two undercounter fridges with a customer instead of one tall fridge,” he says. “The cold volume is slightly smaller, but the extra worktop made for a corner space that was also more accessible.”
Ready to renovate? Find reviewed kitchen designers on Houzz.
While under-the-counter units can be great for food and lighter items, such as glassware and day-to-day crockery, it may not be the best way to go for ovens, dishwashers, fridges and freezers.
With ovens, Matt recommends eye-level installation. “Having food at eye level is much easier to put in and take out than bending down into an oven beneath the counter and getting a face full of steam.”
“Put in an eye-level microwave too,” Eva suggests, “and explore options for accessible dishwashers, such as a drawer dishwasher. If space allows, place your dishwasher on a raised base [as seen here].”
“The ideal for easy access to fridges and freezers would also be eye level if possible,” Steve says. However, where it isn’t possible, under-counter may have other benefits, depending on the space.
“[A recent] design had us selecting two undercounter fridges with a customer instead of one tall fridge,” he says. “The cold volume is slightly smaller, but the extra worktop made for a corner space that was also more accessible.”
Ready to renovate? Find reviewed kitchen designers on Houzz.
And if you do opt for an undercounter fridge, choosing a design like this, with easier-to-access drawers rather than conventional shelves, may be helpful.
“Design is always a compromise,” Steve says. “There’s only so much space available between waist and shoulder height, so we need to decide how much we have to use as worktop and how much becomes accessible storage or appliances. There isn’t a right or wrong answer – it’s always a discussion and weighing of options.”
“Design is always a compromise,” Steve says. “There’s only so much space available between waist and shoulder height, so we need to decide how much we have to use as worktop and how much becomes accessible storage or appliances. There isn’t a right or wrong answer – it’s always a discussion and weighing of options.”
4. Consider seating with care
You might imagine that padded, comfy chairs are the aim when it comes to kitchen or dining table seating fit for later life, but these can often be heavy and therefore not ideal.
“Choose chairs for the table that are stable but light, so they’re easy to move,” Eva says. “Include at least one chair with arms for times of seriously impaired balance – yes, you can fall off a chair.
“A round table will be easier to navigate at all stages of decreasing mobility,” she adds.
“If possible, avoid a banquette so as to give you the flexibility to change your table in time,” Matt adds. “The table might become more used as a prep space as you get older, with it being lower than a traditional worktop height.”
You might imagine that padded, comfy chairs are the aim when it comes to kitchen or dining table seating fit for later life, but these can often be heavy and therefore not ideal.
“Choose chairs for the table that are stable but light, so they’re easy to move,” Eva says. “Include at least one chair with arms for times of seriously impaired balance – yes, you can fall off a chair.
“A round table will be easier to navigate at all stages of decreasing mobility,” she adds.
“If possible, avoid a banquette so as to give you the flexibility to change your table in time,” Matt adds. “The table might become more used as a prep space as you get older, with it being lower than a traditional worktop height.”
5. Tap into touch-free tech
Fingers may not be as nimble as they once were, and there’s a whole array of smart technology that can make day-to-day kitchen tasks easier.
“Using our fingers to operate touchscreens may become difficult,” Steve says, “and internet-connected appliances are making voice control possible. Those connections are often built into the models people choose.”
Research models carefully and opt for such features, even if you may not use them in the immediate future. “It’s like a free accessibility bonus feature for your future self,” Steve says.
Fingers may not be as nimble as they once were, and there’s a whole array of smart technology that can make day-to-day kitchen tasks easier.
“Using our fingers to operate touchscreens may become difficult,” Steve says, “and internet-connected appliances are making voice control possible. Those connections are often built into the models people choose.”
Research models carefully and opt for such features, even if you may not use them in the immediate future. “It’s like a free accessibility bonus feature for your future self,” Steve says.
6. Contrast your colours
Choosing the right combination of colours can – perhaps surprisingly – be very helpful as we get older. “Our vision deteriorates with age and having a contrast between the floor and the cabinets and wall colours is subtle, but a consideration,” Steve says.
“If they’re too similar or the same tone, as our vision deteriorates it can be hard to judge where the floor ends and the wall or cabinets start,” he says.
Click on any of the photos featured to find details of each designer.
Choosing the right combination of colours can – perhaps surprisingly – be very helpful as we get older. “Our vision deteriorates with age and having a contrast between the floor and the cabinets and wall colours is subtle, but a consideration,” Steve says.
“If they’re too similar or the same tone, as our vision deteriorates it can be hard to judge where the floor ends and the wall or cabinets start,” he says.
Click on any of the photos featured to find details of each designer.
7. Take lighting seriously
Well-thought-through lighting is also important. “Good lighting over worktops may not be noticeable now, but in the long run, your eyes may be appreciative,” Steve says. “It’s easier to integrate effective lighting at the beginning than tack it on in 10 years’ time.”
Well-thought-through lighting is also important. “Good lighting over worktops may not be noticeable now, but in the long run, your eyes may be appreciative,” Steve says. “It’s easier to integrate effective lighting at the beginning than tack it on in 10 years’ time.”
8. Choose a worktop material that will age well
Rather than opting for materials you’ll need to be precious over and trying to keep them immaculate, Matt advises choosing those that will only improve with staining and marking and, therefore, last well.
“[For worktops, choose] a beautiful wood that will only come to look better with age, providing it’s looked after with proper oiling every so often,” he says.
Concrete is an alternative. “It’s quite porous, but the patina that builds up is really quite beautiful,” Matt says. “The other option for a worktop is stainless-steel, which may scratch, but is extremely difficult to stain.”
Rather than opting for materials you’ll need to be precious over and trying to keep them immaculate, Matt advises choosing those that will only improve with staining and marking and, therefore, last well.
“[For worktops, choose] a beautiful wood that will only come to look better with age, providing it’s looked after with proper oiling every so often,” he says.
Concrete is an alternative. “It’s quite porous, but the patina that builds up is really quite beautiful,” Matt says. “The other option for a worktop is stainless-steel, which may scratch, but is extremely difficult to stain.”
9. Embrace trends strategically
You can futureproof and be fashionable, but there are ways to go about it that will still give your kitchen longevity.
“Trends come and go – particularly with extreme trends such as maximalism – but that doesn’t mean you need to be scared of a trend – just perhaps don’t lean into it quite as hard as you may be tempted to,” Matt says. “Use accent features and props to add that extra touch of whatever look it is you’re going for, rather than something fixed in and tricky to replace and update, such as the cabinetry door style or worktops.”
For these, he advises, “Think understated and pared back. Use splashbacks, wall colour/wallpaper, accent materials, soft furnishings and worktop gadgets to add the flair.
“When it comes to space planning and functionality,” he adds, “the Modernist ethos is that form follows function. That should be at the heart of every designer with longevity in mind.”
Tell us…
Which of these futureproofing ideas would you consider for your own kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
You can futureproof and be fashionable, but there are ways to go about it that will still give your kitchen longevity.
“Trends come and go – particularly with extreme trends such as maximalism – but that doesn’t mean you need to be scared of a trend – just perhaps don’t lean into it quite as hard as you may be tempted to,” Matt says. “Use accent features and props to add that extra touch of whatever look it is you’re going for, rather than something fixed in and tricky to replace and update, such as the cabinetry door style or worktops.”
For these, he advises, “Think understated and pared back. Use splashbacks, wall colour/wallpaper, accent materials, soft furnishings and worktop gadgets to add the flair.
“When it comes to space planning and functionality,” he adds, “the Modernist ethos is that form follows function. That should be at the heart of every designer with longevity in mind.”
Tell us…
Which of these futureproofing ideas would you consider for your own kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
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Many of our kitchens include wall cabinets or high shelves for storage. This, all the experts agree, can be tough for many older people.
“As we age, our bodies change,” Steve says. “Bending becomes harder, and reaching and lifting things from further away becomes more difficult as our muscles weaken. We approach that for all age groups by trying to design all the key things in a room between waist and shoulder height.”
Architect Eva Byrne agrees. “Plan ahead for reduced arm and shoulder mobility in terms of storage, as it may be difficult to access high wall [cupboards],” she says. “Plan for how food, crockery and glassware can be stored at a lower, more accessible level.”
“When planning cabinetry, avoid having to use overhead space for storing anything heavy. Lifting up from below is less risky than bringing heavy items down from above,” sales design consultant Matt Payne adds.