Short Description
Kitchen storage units can make working in the kitchen easier, by allowing more convenient, direct access to items and decreased effort in lifting and reaching. When designing or altering a kitchen, the layout and placement of cupboards, benches, and appliances needs to be considered carefully.
More Details
Fittings
* Lazy Susan shelves rotate in corner cupboards to allow access to items placed either on plastic shelves or wire baskets (these are particularly useful in floor level cupboards)
* 1/2 Lazy Susan wire basket shelves are designed for cupboards with a difficult reach return
* Semi - circular shelves are swung around and then can be pulled out of the cupboard on an extension track to allow access (3/4 circle models are also available)
* Pullout frames with wire baskets for floor level cupboards can be either side mounted or mounted to the base of the cabinet (they are available in a range of sizes and basket styles suitable for a variety of items and in this case all the shelves on the frame pull out together)
* Pullout pantries for tall kitchen cabinets has the whole unit sliding out allowing side access to wire baskets and shelves when the door is pulled open (a number of shelf and basket combinations is possible)
* Slide out baskets on runners can be installed inside a cupboard and are light and easy to move (they are often a better alternative to a standard drawer or shelf in a floor level cupboard as items are visible and baskets are available in a range of sizes and depths)
* Small wire racks can be fitted to the inside of cupboard doors and hold bottles or spices, which can be readily accessed from the open door
* Garbage bin units can be built into a cupboard and swing out when the door is opened with the lid automatically opens when swung out (pull out designs can be placed at a convenient height and allow side as well as front access without taking up additional floor space)
* Lift up shelves designed to hold a kitchen appliance, such as a food processor and operates on a parallel swing mechanism with a spring loader can be fitted to the inside of a cupboard, where it is stored and then pulls up to bench height or the height desired to allow access to the appliance without heavy lifting (the shelf can also be used as additional bench space)
* Pull out shelves offer additional bench space with clear access underneath and can be built with a fitting to allow the shelf to be the cabinet depth or larger (holes to hold bowls in place on the shelf can also be made)
Other points to consider
* Storage drawers on easy glide runners are generally preferable to cupboards as they allow for easier access
* Cupboard doors should be easy to open and close
* D handles are often easier to grasp
* Press release, that open when lightly touched can also assist or magnetic closures
* Hinges that open the door to 180 degrees allow wider direct entry to a cupboard than those which open to 90 degrees
* Mobile storage trolleys may also be useful, but do require a storage
space.
* Cost of installation is also a consideration ("System 32" is an economic method of producing carcass furniture, with a series of pre-drilled holes at 32 mm centres that accommodate drawer runners, hinges, shelf supports and other hardware as well as other fittings such as pull out shelves, pantries and baskets with a number of suppliers carry this type of range and it may be an alternative to one off custom made fittings)
For further information check choice magazine, the Yellow Pages or talk to a retailer, eg. Hettich, Hafele, Nover or Ikea.
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These are general suggestions - if you experience considerable difficulty in performing activities of daily living, consult an occupational therapist at a community health centre or aged care assessment team, or make an appointment with the ILC.