Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Winfield, IL

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

Whether you need full wheelchair access now or simply want to age in place in your Winfield home, we design and build the kitchen around real reach ranges and turning space. The result should look like a well-made kitchen, not a clinic.

Ranch homes ready for aging in place

Single-level 1980s ranches are well suited to aging in place. Updating the kitchen with reachable storage and safer appliances is often the biggest step.

Reaching over hot burners

Back-burner controls and pots behind pots are a burn risk. A cooktop or range with front controls and a nearby landing counter makes cooking safer.

Hard-to-turn knobs and faucet handles

Round knobs and twist handles are hard for arthritic hands. We use D-shaped pulls, lever handles and a single-lever or touch-activated faucet.

Slippery floors and thresholds

A small lip at the doorway is a big obstacle for wheels. Level transitions and a matte, slip-resistant floor make the room safer to move through.

Deep base cabinets you have to kneel into

Base cabinets with doors and fixed shelves are the hardest storage to use. We replace them with deep drawers and roll-out trays.

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.

Not enough room to turn around

A wheelchair or walker needs space to turn. We plan clear floor area in front of each appliance and, where the room allows, a turning circle about five feet across.

Dim light and low contrast

Shadows on the counter and same-color surfaces make cooking harder for low vision. Task lighting and contrasting finishes fix both.

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

What the project covers

Needs assessmentA visit to understand who uses the kitchen, how they move and what they find hard today.
Accessible layoutA floor plan with clear floor space at each appliance, wider aisles and room to turn where it fits.
Demolition and protectionOld cabinets and counters removed with dust barriers, and a path kept clear for the household.
Doorways and floor transitionsWidening openings and leveling thresholds where the plan calls for it.
Electrical and lightingOutlets and switches at reachable heights, rocker controls and bright task lighting.
Multi-height countertopsA lowered prep or sink section alongside standard-height counters for standing cooks.
Flooring and finishingNew floor with level transitions, wall repair and a final check from the user's position.

Choices you'll make

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

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

Full-extension drawersDrawers on full-extension slides so nothing hides at the back.

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

Side-opening wall ovensDoors that swing to the side let you reach in without leaning over a hot door.

Kitchens like yours in Winfield: before and after

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

A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Winfield, a typical kitchen for Winfield. Before: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim, white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines and white 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 deep burgundy 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, electrical and lighting, plus flooring and finishing.

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

A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Winfield, a typical kitchen for Winfield. Before: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim, white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines and white 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 deep burgundy 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, electrical and lighting, plus flooring and finishing.

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Carol Stream, before — Carol Stream kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: accessible kitchen remodeling

A 1990s two-story colonial in Carol Stream, a typical kitchen for Carol Stream. 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 reason for the call: a kitchen that was getting harder to use every year. 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, doorways and floor transitions, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Carol Stream →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Carol Stream, after — Carol Stream kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: accessible kitchen remodeling

A 1990s two-story colonial in Carol Stream, a typical kitchen for Carol Stream. 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 reason for the call: a kitchen that was getting harder to use every year. 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, doorways and floor transitions, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Carol Stream →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Warrenville, before — Before and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Warrenville

A 1990s two-story colonial in Warrenville, a typical kitchen for Warrenville. The kitchen as it was: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above, white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam and black appliances. The main complaint was no place to sit and work at the counter. The result: 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. The job covered electrical and lighting, multi-height countertops, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Warrenville →

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling project in Warrenville, after — Before and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Warrenville

A 1990s two-story colonial in Warrenville, a typical kitchen for Warrenville. The kitchen as it was: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above, white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam and black appliances. The main complaint was no place to sit and work at the counter. The result: 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. The job covered electrical and lighting, multi-height countertops, plus flooring and finishing.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Warrenville →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Winfield, before — Before and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Winfield

A new layout with an island, cabinets in terracotta, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Winfield →

Kitchen Design & Layout Planning project near Winfield, after — Before and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Winfield

A new layout with an island, cabinets in terracotta, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Design & Layout Planning in Winfield →

Kitchen Additions project near Winfield, before — Winfield kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen additions

What changed: 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 Winfield →

Kitchen Additions project near Winfield, after — Winfield kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen additions

What changed: 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 Winfield →

From first visit to final walk-through

Assessment visitWe meet the people who will use the kitchen, measure reach and seated height and look at the room.
Design and estimateAccessible layout drawings, appliance choices and a written, itemized estimate.
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 userA final check from the user's chair or standing position, with adjustments on the spot.

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

Accessible Kitchen Remodeling questions from Winfield homeowners

What counter height works for a wheelchair user?

There isn't one right height. We combine a seated section fitted to the user with standard counters for anyone standing.

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.

How do you make a kitchen wheelchair accessible?

The essentials are clear floor space at each work area, room to turn, a lowered work surface and sink with knee space, reachable storage and controls, and appliances with doors that open out of the way.

Will an accessible kitchen look institutional?

Not if it's designed well. Universal design features blend into an ordinary, attractive kitchen.

What are good aging-in-place kitchen ideas?

Plan for reach and balance: pull-out storage, raised appliances, loop pulls, good lighting and a seat at a counter for prep.

What is the Winfield building department phone number?

Permits go through Building and Safety / Community Development (Village of Winfield), phone 630-665-1767. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.

Do you work in my part of Winfield?

Yes. Our crews work across Winfield — ZIP 60190, 60185 — and nearby Wheaton, Carol Stream, West Chicago.

Working in Winfield

A lot of Winfield kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
Most Winfield homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.

ZIP 60190ZIP 60185