There are many things that might be on your mind as you design your kitchen layout. You might be thinking about the overall look and appeal. However, it is important to also consider safety while designing your layout.
Enough Lighting
When working in your kitchen, you want there to be plenty of light. Low lighting can impair your vision and lead to more accidents while in the kitchen. Additionally, low lighting can strain your eyes. There are three main types of lighting to consider for your kitchen. The first is ambient lighting which is meant to cast as much light as possible throughout the room and it is your main light source. The next is task lighting which illuminates specific areas. For example, you might have lights attached beneath cabinets so you can see your counters better. Last, you have accent lighting. This lighting isn’t essential to safety, but it is used as a part of your design to highlight certain features.
Heat Protection
When creating your layout, you need to be mindful of the placement of your stove and oven. Poor placement can lead to fires or serious injuries. Burn injuries have a high incidence rate, so making sure you are safe in the kitchen is incredibly important. Avoid putting your stove/oven near windows or open doors. Curtains around windows could catch fire or a breeze could blow out the flame but leave the gas running. If you have your stove located in a high traffic area, like on the end of a kitchen island, you’re more likely to knock hot pots and pans off the stove. Make sure you place your stove and oven in a safe area.
Good Flooring
The kitchen is a common place for slips and falls. You want to make sure you account for that when picking the flooring for your kitchen. When picking your flooring, there are many factors to consider. These include maintenance, durability, and aesthetic. In addition to these, pick a flooring option that is more water resistant and less slick. You also want an option that won’t lift or crack and lead to people tripping. Tile floors are common in kitchens as well as hardwood and vinyl floors.
As you design your kitchen, you want to create a space that is both stylish and functional. Emphasizing the functionality of your kitchen will help you to be more mindful of safety. The more thought you put into how to make a safe kitchen, the less you’ll have to worry about when using it.
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