If you live in an older home, no doubt there are certain areas you’d like to improve. Outdated electrical work, appliances, and layouts can make areas like the kitchen hazardous. Our team at Peak Improvements can help you devise a kitchen design and renovation that combines form, function, and safety. Before you know it, your kitchen will be the heart of your home once again.
Here are a few safety tips for kitchen renovations in Edmonton and how you can implement them with our team of expert designers and contractors.
The Importance of Safety in the Kitchen
Your kitchen should be the warmest and most welcoming part of your home. It also tends to be the most accident-prone space, where one wrong move with a sharp knife or hot stove can cause serious injury. If your kitchen features a dysfunctional layout, is improperly renovated, or hasn’t been renovated in several years, there is potential for even more hazards.
If you have young children or care for aging parents, common design faux pas like sharp corners, bad lighting, and slippery floors are accidents waiting to happen. Our team at Peak Improvements understands the importance of a fully functional kitchen, and with a few tweaks to your current layout, we can create a space where you can work and move safely.
Non-Slip Flooring Options
Spilled milk isn’t the only way to slip and fall in your kitchen—the wrong type of flooring can create the same outcome. If your kitchen features flooring like ceramic tile or hardwood, chances are it’s quite slippery.
When designing your new kitchen, our team can locate alternate options like vinyl tile or vinyl plank. These floor materials have better traction than ceramic or hardwood—even if the floor gets a little wet, your chances of slipping and falling are lower.
Adequate Lighting
Lighting that creates shadows and dark corners in a kitchen can be dangerous. Improper lighting can make it hard to see while using a sharp utensil or appliance. Older adults with vision impairment may also have difficulty navigating their way around the kitchen.
Installing fixtures like task lights, under-cabinet lights, and pot lights throughout the kitchen can help prevent shadows from developing and ensure the entire kitchen is well-lit. Don’t worry if your current lighting system is outdated—our team will ensure all wiring is fully functional, fire-safe, and in accordance with modern building regulations.
Kid-Friendly Appliance & Storage Solutions
Curious kids will get their hands on just about anything, and in the kitchen, you don’t want them to find sharp objects. Installing childproof locks and latches to your cabinets and drawers will prevent your children from grabbing knives and other dangerous utensils. Our team can also install hidden storage to make appliances like microwaves and toaster ovens harder to access.
Rounded Edges and Corners
It’s all too easy to bump into the table or countertop while working in the kitchen. Sharp corners on these surfaces can cause bumps, bruises, and small cuts, which can be particularly harmful for young children. You can solve this problem by opting for rounded edges and soft corners in your redesign.
Renovate Your Kitchen with Peak Improvements
A safe and functional kitchen requires careful planning and attention to detail, and by partnering with Peak Improvements, you’ll get that and more with our team of designers and contractors.
Contact us today to learn more about our six-step design and construction process. You’re one step closer to your dream kitchen!