Design Notes
Over the last year and a half, home has taken on a whole new meaning. It has also undergone significant changes and had to make several adjustments, especially in safety and wellness. Your family is always a priority, including the home. As many of us continue to stay at home for extended periods, there has been a shift toward upgrading safety features throughout the home, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. As you begin considering a renovation, here are the things you need to know to design a safe home that will protect your family.
Smart Home Technology
We live in a very modern world, but smart home technology has taken it to a whole new level. Appliances, lighting, and electronics are just a few things that can now be controlled remotely via an app installed on your phone. Using an internet connection, homeowners can turn off a light and control the temperature. There are multiple benefits to utilizing smart home technology.
- Convenience
- Safety
- Peace of mind
- Savings
If you need to adjust the temperature, it’s as simple as opening the app on your phone or tablet. It is also great for those who want to be efficient, as many smart technologies can be combined into a single app, making it easy to manage and monitor information and controls. Of course, since most of the security systems can be accessed from your phone, you can always check to see if everything is okay, especially if the kids arrive home before you, or if you want to check on your fur babies while at work, you can do that too. It adds an extra level of security to your home. Being able to monitor your temperature and ensure that everything that needs to be turned off is, helps you save money, which is something everyone loves to do. Knowing you can check in on your home at any time, from anywhere, gives you valuable peace of mind. Learn a few more of the benefits smart technology can bring to your home by reading this article by Blue Speed AV. Talk to your designer about incorporating smart home technology when designing your new kitchen or bathroom.
Kitchen Safety
This is a highly used area for everyone in the home, which also makes it the most accident-prone space, so it’s no surprise that safety is at the top of homeowners’ lists. When designing your new kitchen, keep these things in mind:
- Outlet placement: water and electricity don’t mix, so it is wise to install outlets away from the kitchen sink and other wet areas. This is also important, especially when it comes to children. Plan to keep them out of reach of younger children.
- Lighting: a poorly lit area makes it easier to slip when slicing vegetables or preparing meat. Under-cabinet lighting and task lighting are good options for adding additional lighting to the kitchen. They help eliminate shadows and make it easier to work safely.
- Custom storage: having a pull-out for your trash can or a roll-out for pots and pans makes things easy to reach and reduces the risk of tripping or dropping items.
- Keep things soft: sharp countertop or cabinet edges can lead to a nasty cut or bruise if someone accidentally hits them too hard. Round edges are always a great option for safety.
- Floor plans: Traffic flow is an important part of designing a safe kitchen. Exit areas should always be kept clear of fire hazards, so avoid placing your range near the door.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and should be a safe haven for the family to gather and connect. Good planning means having the perfect area to cook and be with the ones you love.
Walker Woodworking
