Ease of Use Idea #4 - Lifts
Some of us are short...I'm 5'-0" tall. Some of us have had 4 shoulder surgeries in 2 years. Some of us wish our countertops could be just that little bit lower so we can see into pots on the stove or to wash dishes without over-reaching. Some would like to sit while cooking or cleaning up. There is a solution. Lifts.
Below is a kitchen application for a base counter lift. There are two lifts shown in the picture - one for the cooktop and one for the sink. Each section operates independently, however, for the photos they are shown at the same levels "up" and "down".
This picture shows the lifts in the "up" position. Note several other things: 1. the controls are on the face of the counter (the small black buttons), 2. the silver round button on the right is the disposal button, 3, the faucet is placed to the side of the sink to be easily reached, and 4. the sink is shallow so when the lift is lowered the bottom of the sink will still be above lap height.
This picture shows the lifts in the "down" position. Note that the backsplash is connected to the countertop and moves with it and that the tile on the wall extends behind the backsplash. With the backsplash attached to the countertop it keeps any spilled liquid from going behind the lift. Also note that the kick space reduces in height. This is because the shroud area lowers by sliding down in front of the kick.
Here is a picture you'll never see in a glitzy magazine or fancy social media site as it is not "pretty". It does show what is important when considering use and installation of a lift. The disposal is a smaller size unit and is attached to a rear drain sink so that it stays out of the knee space. The sink drain is a flex drain and some jurisdictions need to be educated that this is OK to use. Multiple electrical outlets are required and their location on rough in is important to stay out of the way of the wall supports. The countertop is adequate thickness. The tile extends behind and under the top on the wall. The flooring continues to the wall.
To illustrate that the lifts are independent, here is a view of one lift "up" and one lift "down". The change in height may not seem like much but when you are operating from a height challenged position, it can make all the difference in the world.
Here is the award winning kitchen with the lifts in the "down" position. Other height challenged features were designed into this kitchen and we'll discuss in future blogs.
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