Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Itasca, IL

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

An accessible kitchen remodel in Itasca starts with the person who will use it: how they reach, stand, sit and move. We plan counter heights, knee space, clear floor area, storage and appliances around those measurements, using universal design guidance rather than a one-size checklist.

Ranch homes ready for aging in place

A one-floor 1970s home already avoids stairs; the kitchen is where reach and bending become a problem. We fix that part.

Condo kitchens with tight footprints

Small condo kitchens leave little room to turn. We open the plan where the building allows and choose compact appliances that keep the floor clear.

Deep base cabinets you have to kneel into

Bending down and digging to the back of a low shelf is hard on knees and backs. Full-extension drawers bring everything forward and up into view.

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.

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.

Dishwasher and microwave at awkward heights

We set appliances at heights the user can reach: dishwasher drawers or a raised dishwasher, a microwave drawer and a fridge with the freezer below.

Hard-to-turn knobs and faucet handles

Small knobs, tight faucets and toggle switches all need pinching or twisting. We replace them with loop pulls, lever faucets and large rocker switches.

Light switches and outlets out of reach

Outlets at the back of a deep counter and switches high on the wall are hard to use seated. We place controls within easy reach and at the front of work areas where possible.

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

What's included

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.
Plumbing for a knee-space sinkShallow sink, rear drain, offset supplies and protected pipes behind a removable panel.
Electrical and lightingOutlets and switches at reachable heights, rocker controls and bright task lighting.
Cabinets and pull-down storageDrawer-heavy base cabinets, pull-down shelving, roll-outs and pantry pull-outs installed and adjusted.
Multi-height countertopsCounters at more than one height, including a seated work surface with open knee space.
Flooring and finishingNew floor with level transitions, wall repair and a final check from the user's position.

Choices you'll make

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

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

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

Induction cooktopsThe cooktop heats the pan, not the glass, and many models stop heating when the pan is removed.

Pull-down shelvingShelf units that lower out of upper cabinets to counter level with one pull.

Kitchens like yours in Itasca: before and after

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1980s-1990s two-story colonial / tract house — before — An Itasca two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after

This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Itasca. The kitchen as it was: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs, almond laminate with a backsplash lip and almond appliances. The reason for the call: 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. On site this meant demolition and protection, plumbing for a knee-space sink, plus cabinets and pull-down storage.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1980s-1990s two-story colonial / tract house — after — An Itasca two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after

This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Itasca. The kitchen as it was: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs, almond laminate with a backsplash lip and almond appliances. The reason for the call: 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. On site this meant demolition and protection, plumbing for a knee-space sink, plus cabinets and pull-down storage.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Wood Dale, before — A Wood Dale 1950s ranch: before and after

This one is a 1950s ranch in Wood Dale. The kitchen as it was: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls, laminate with an aluminum edge band and an older white range and a white refrigerator. What bothered the owners most: bending to a low oven and reaching over hot burners. The result: a lowered black honed granite counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in deep burgundy with polished nickel pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. Work included demolition and protection, multi-height countertops, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Wood Dale →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Wood Dale, after — A Wood Dale 1950s ranch: before and after

This one is a 1950s ranch in Wood Dale. The kitchen as it was: original birch cabinets painted white decades ago, sagging doors, chrome pulls, laminate with an aluminum edge band and an older white range and a white refrigerator. What bothered the owners most: bending to a low oven and reaching over hot burners. The result: a lowered black honed granite counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in deep burgundy with polished nickel pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights. Work included demolition and protection, multi-height countertops, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Wood Dale →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Elk Grove Village, before — Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a postwar bi-level, Elk Grove Village

This one is a postwar bi-level in Elk Grove Village. What we started with: 1970s dark pecan-stained cabinets, light beige laminate and white appliances. The main complaint was wall cabinets nobody could reach anymore. The result: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale sage uppers and light gray lowers with satin brass 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. Work included accessible layout, demolition and protection, plus plumbing for a knee-space sink.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Elk Grove Village →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Elk Grove Village, after — Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in a postwar bi-level, Elk Grove Village

This one is a postwar bi-level in Elk Grove Village. What we started with: 1970s dark pecan-stained cabinets, light beige laminate and white appliances. The main complaint was wall cabinets nobody could reach anymore. The result: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale sage uppers and light gray lowers with satin brass 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. Work included accessible layout, demolition and protection, plus plumbing for a knee-space sink.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Elk Grove Village →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Itasca, before — An Itasca 1980s two-story: before and after

A new layout with an island, cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers, warm walnut butcher block counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Itasca →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Itasca, after — An Itasca 1980s two-story: before and after

A new layout with an island, cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers, warm walnut butcher block counters and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Itasca →

Kitchen Additions project near Itasca, before — Before and after: a 1980s two-story in Itasca

The kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring through the old and new space and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Additions in Itasca →

Kitchen Additions project near Itasca, after — Before and after: a 1980s two-story in Itasca

The kitchen extended by a 10-ft bump-out with a row of new windows and a dining area, cabinets in deep olive with polished nickel pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring through the old and new space and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Additions in Itasca →

How your accessible kitchen remodel goes

Assessment visitWe meet the people who will use the kitchen, measure reach and seated height and look at the room.
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.
ConstructionDemolition, plumbing and electrical changes, cabinets, counters and appliances installed.
Walk-through with the userWe test every drawer, shelf and control with the person who will use them and adjust.

Book an estimate (708) 400-7049 Request a callback

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling questions from Itasca homeowners

Can a condo kitchen be made accessible?

Often yes. We check the association's rules and the riser locations, then plan the most access the space allows.

Will an accessible kitchen look institutional?

No. With good cabinets, counters and lighting, most visitors will never notice what was planned for access.

What are good aging-in-place kitchen ideas?

Drawers instead of base shelves, a wall oven at counter height, a microwave drawer, lever faucets, bright task lighting and slip-resistant floors are among the most useful.

How do you make a kitchen wheelchair accessible?

We start with turning space and approach space, then lower part of the counter, open the sink for knee clearance and move storage into drawers and pull-downs.

Do residential kitchens have to meet ADA requirements?

Private homes are not required to comply with the ADA. Its clearances, such as a 60-inch turning circle and 30 by 48 inch approach spaces, are still useful targets when the room allows.

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

Permits go through Community Development Department (Building Division), phone (630) 773-5568. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.

Itasca contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?

Contractors must register with the Village and be bonded before a permit is issued; Certificate of Insurance naming the Village required. We take care of that before work starts.

Can you do accessible kitchen remodel in an Itasca condo?

Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.

What kind of Itasca homes do you work in?

In Itasca we see Pre-1900 and early 1900s homes in the historic district and Suburban growth after the 1940s. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.

Do you work in my part of Itasca?

Yes. Our crews work across Itasca, including North Side, South Side, Nordic Park, The Ranchettes — ZIP 60143 — and nearby Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Addison.

Working in Itasca

A lot of Itasca kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
Live in the Itasca Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.

North SideSouth SideNordic ParkThe RanchettesItasca Historical DistrictWalnut Street downtown

ZIP 60143