Senior Living Kitchens: Cabinets and Countertops That Are Easy to Use
Published •6 min read
Kitchens in senior living apartments, 55+ communities and their common areas should be easy to reach, easy to grip and easy to keep clean. Many of the choices that help, like drawers instead of deep shelves, pulls instead of small knobs and storage kept between hip and shoulder height, cost little extra when they're planned from the start.
Storage Within Easy Reach
- Drawers instead of door bases, so pots and dishes come to the user rather than the user reaching into the back.
- Pull-out shelves in pantry and base cabinets. See our pantry cabinet guide.
- Lower upper cabinets or a pantry tower for everyday items. For reference, the 2010 ADA Standards treat 15 to 48 inches above the floor as the unobstructed reach range.
- Open or glass-front storage for items used daily, so residents can see what's where.
Hardware and Details
| Detail | Easier choice |
|---|---|
| Pulls | D-shaped or bar pulls rather than small round knobs |
| Closing | Soft-close hinges and slides that close themselves |
| Contrast | Countertop and cabinet colors that contrast with each other and the floor |
| Edges | Eased or rounded countertop edges instead of sharp square ones |
| Lighting | Under-cabinet lighting over work areas |
See countertop edge profiles and cabinet and countertop color combinations.
Countertops That Are Easy to Live With
Quartz needs no sealing, which suits residents and staff who won't keep a care schedule; it does need trivets for hot pans. Granite is more heat-tolerant and some stones need periodic sealing. A matte or honed finish can reduce glare under bright lights. See polished, honed and leathered finishes.
Accessible Units and Common Kitchens
Where a kitchen must be accessible, the 2010 ADA Standards include clearances between cabinets, a work surface and sink no higher than 34 inches with knee clearance, and at least half of shelf space within reach. Plan removable sink bases and lowered sections in the cabinet layout. See accessible kitchen dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cabinets are best for seniors?
Cabinets with drawers and pull-out shelves, storage kept within easy reach, easy-to-grip pulls and soft-close hardware, with good contrast and lighting.
What countertop is best for a senior living kitchen?
Quartz is popular because it needs no sealing; granite is more heat-tolerant. Eased edges and a matte or honed finish can make either easier to live with.
Does Mega Solutions install kitchens in senior living communities?
Mega Solutions installs cabinets and stone countertops for developers, builders and commercial clients as well as homeowners, built to the approved drawings.
Planning a 55+ or Senior Living Project?
Mega Solutions installs cabinets and granite, quartz, quartzite and marble countertops across metro Atlanta. Send your plans and unit types for a quote.
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Ready to start your kitchen project?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Mega Solutions. We'll walk through your space and put together a plan that fits your budget.