Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Hanover Park, IL

What makes a Hanover Park kitchen hard to use, and how we fix it

We rebuild kitchens so they keep working as needs change: for a wheelchair or walker user, for a parent moving in, or for Hanover Park homeowners planning to stay put for decades. Lower work surfaces, drawers instead of deep base shelves and appliances you can use without bending or reaching over heat.

Ranch homes ready for aging in place

Single-level 1970s ranches are well suited to aging in place. Updating the kitchen with reachable storage and safer appliances is often the biggest step.

Slippery floors and thresholds

Glossy tile gets slick when wet and raised thresholds catch walker feet. We choose slip-resistant flooring and keep transitions flush.

Dim light and low contrast

If it's hard to see where the counter ends, add contrast. A light counter on dark cabinets, or a contrasting edge, plus strong under-cabinet light helps.

Counters too high to work at seated

Chopping at shoulder height wears you out. A work surface at seated height, or a counter at two heights, lets each cook work comfortably.

Wall cabinets out of reach

If the upper shelves need a step stool, they are wasted storage and a fall risk. We move everyday items into drawers and tall pantry pull-outs and add pull-down shelving for the uppers.

Light switches and outlets out of reach

We move switches lower, add outlets at the front edge or in the cabinet face and use rocker switches anyone can press.

Reaching over hot burners

Controls should never require reaching across heat. Front-mounted controls, staggered burners in use and an induction option all help.

An oven door you have to bend under

A low oven with a drop-down door forces you to lift hot dishes from floor level and over the door. A wall oven at counter height, ideally side-opening, avoids both.

See your problem here?Call us (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

What's included

Needs assessmentA visit to understand who uses the kitchen, how they move and what they find hard today.
Accessible layoutDrawings that put every work station within reach and leave space to approach it.
Demolition and protectionOld cabinets and counters removed with dust barriers, and a path kept clear for the household.
Doorways and floor transitionsFlush transitions and wider doorways so wheels and walkers pass easily.
Multi-height countertopsCounters at more than one height, including a seated work surface with open knee space.
Appliance installationWall oven, cooktop, drawer microwave, raised dishwasher or drawer models fitted at usable heights.
Flooring and finishingNew floor with level transitions, wall repair and a final check from the user's position.

Finishes and options

D-shaped pulls and rocker switchesLoop handles and wide rocker switches that work with a closed hand.

Lever and touch faucetsFaucets you can turn on with a wrist or a tap, with a pull-down spray.

Side-opening wall ovensA wall oven with a side-hinged door, set at counter height and paired with a pull-out shelf.

Slip-resistant flooringMatte porcelain, luxury vinyl plank or sheet flooring with good traction and smooth rolling.

Pull-down shelvingMechanisms that bring upper-cabinet storage down within reach of a seated user.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling before and after — Hanover Park homes

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1970s split-level / raised ranch / tract — before — Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1970s tract home, Hanover Park

This one is a 1970s tract home in Hanover Park. The kitchen as it was: medium-brown stained oak cabinets with wide frames, harvest-gold laminate and harvest-gold appliances. The main complaint was a kitchen that was getting harder to use every year. Finished kitchen: a lowered bright white quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with matte black pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. On site this meant needs assessment, demolition and protection, plus flooring and finishing.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1970s split-level / raised ranch / tract — after — Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1970s tract home, Hanover Park

This one is a 1970s tract home in Hanover Park. The kitchen as it was: medium-brown stained oak cabinets with wide frames, harvest-gold laminate and harvest-gold appliances. The main complaint was a kitchen that was getting harder to use every year. Finished kitchen: a lowered bright white quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with matte black pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips. On site this meant needs assessment, demolition and protection, plus flooring and finishing.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Bartlett, before — Bartlett kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: accessible kitchen remodeling

A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett, a typical kitchen for Bartlett. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above, white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam and black appliances. What bothered the owners most: wall cabinets nobody could reach anymore. After: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in light greige with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights. On site this meant accessible layout, demolition and protection, plus appliance installation.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Bartlett →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Bartlett, after — Bartlett kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: accessible kitchen remodeling

A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett, a typical kitchen for Bartlett. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above, white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam and black appliances. What bothered the owners most: wall cabinets nobody could reach anymore. After: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in light greige with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights. On site this meant accessible layout, demolition and protection, plus appliance installation.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Bartlett →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Bloomingdale, before — Bloomingdale kitchen, 1980s two-story: accessible kitchen remodeling

A 1980s two-story near Old Town Bloomingdale, a typical kitchen for Bloomingdale. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs, almond laminate with a backsplash lip and almond appliances. The main complaint was no place to sit and work at the counter. After: a lowered warm walnut butcher block counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale mint green with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights. The job covered needs assessment, accessible layout, plus doorways and floor transitions.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Bloomingdale →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Bloomingdale, after — Bloomingdale kitchen, 1980s two-story: accessible kitchen remodeling

A 1980s two-story near Old Town Bloomingdale, a typical kitchen for Bloomingdale. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs, almond laminate with a backsplash lip and almond appliances. The main complaint was no place to sit and work at the counter. After: a lowered warm walnut butcher block counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale mint green with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights. The job covered needs assessment, accessible layout, plus doorways and floor transitions.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Bloomingdale →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Hanover Park, before — Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in a 1970s split-level, Hanover Park

A new layout with an island, cabinets in terracotta, dark soapstone-look quartz counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Hanover Park →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Hanover Park, after — Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in a 1970s split-level, Hanover Park

A new layout with an island, cabinets in terracotta, dark soapstone-look quartz counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Hanover Park →

Kitchen Additions project near Hanover Park, before — Kitchen Additions in a 1970s split-level, Hanover Park

The kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in pale mint green with matte black pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, large-format light stone-look porcelain tile flooring through the old and new space and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Additions in Hanover Park →

Kitchen Additions project near Hanover Park, after — Kitchen Additions in a 1970s split-level, Hanover Park

The kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in pale mint green with matte black pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, large-format light stone-look porcelain tile flooring through the old and new space and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Additions in Hanover Park →

From first visit to final walk-through

Assessment visitAn in-home visit to measure the room and the user, and to talk through current and future needs.
Design and estimateA drawn plan with heights and clearances, plus a line-item quote.
Ordering and permitsCabinets, pull-downs and appliances ordered; permits filed when plumbing or wiring changes.
ConstructionRough-ins, inspections, then cabinets, multi-height counters, flooring and fixtures.
Walk-through with the userWe test every drawer, shelf and control with the person who will use them and adjust.

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Accessible Kitchen Remodeling questions from Hanover Park homeowners

Will an accessible kitchen look institutional?

It shouldn't. Pull-downs, drawers and wall ovens are standard in many high-end kitchens; the accessibility is in the measurements, not the look.

Should I hire a CAPS-certified remodeler?

CAPS is a training designation from the National Association of Home Builders. Ask any remodeler about their aging-in-place experience and training; we'll tell you who on our team plans these kitchens.

Do I need a permit?

It depends on the work. We pull the permit for plumbing, electrical or structural changes and schedule the inspections.

Are there programs that help pay for accessibility remodels?

Possibly. Township, county and state programs come and go, and eligible veterans can apply for VA housing adaptation grants. We'll supply the estimate and plans they request.

What counter height works for a wheelchair user?

We measure in the user's own chair. Knee clearance underneath and arm comfort on top decide the height, not a single standard number.

Hanover Park building permit for accessible kitchen remodel: where do I apply?

Permits go through Inspectional Services Division (Hanover Park Fire Department), phone 630-823-5860. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.

Hanover Park contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?

All contractors must be registered and bonded with the Village before a building permit is issued; apply via Inspectional Services. We take care of that before work starts.

Do you work in my part of Hanover Park?

Yes. Our crews work across Hanover Park, including Ontarioville — ZIP 60133 — and nearby Bartlett, Roselle, Bloomingdale.

Working in Hanover Park

A lot of Hanover Park kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
Most Hanover Park homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.

Ontarioville

ZIP 60133