The Brizo Pascal Culinary Faucet with Smart Technology uses the principles of Universal Design to make it easily accessible. Growing older can make it difficult to be as comfortable in your own home as you used to be. Challenges in reaching, lifting and opening can make simple household tasks more difficult and timeconsuming.

But smart kitchen design known as the principle of Universal Design can help mitigate such challenges and keep your kitchen a useful, comfortable place, regardless of age or ability.

Employing Universal Design to make your kitchen more user-friendly isn't hard. Some simple redesign steps might include:

• Lowering appliances to a more accessible height.

• Staggering the height of kitchen counters to more comfortably accommodate different tasks.

• Installing cabinets with pull-out shelves or a lazy-Susan.

• Replacing twisting knobs on cabinets and doors with lever-style handles for easy opening.

• Mounting outlets and switches at easily accessible locations.

• Opting for a shallow sink and hands-free faucets.

As you work on making your kitchen meet your changing needs and abilities, keep these Universal Design tips in mind:

• Design elements should be simple and intuitive, eliminating unnecessary complexity for the user. For example, install your home's thermostat in an easytoreach location.

• Easy to understand information should be presented in pictures, verbal and tactical cues to make the information usable regardless of conditions or ability. For example, control buttons on a microwave would be labeled with text and meaningful pictures that communicate necessary information.

• Design elements minimize potential for errors and warn you when a hazard may occur.

• Minimize physical effort required to operate a product. For example, you might install a hands-free, touch-control electronic kitchen faucet, such as the Pascal Culinary Faucet with SmartTouch functionality by Brizo. Such faucets simplify everyday kitchen tasks; minimize effort and the need for repetitive actions. This Brizo faucet can also save you money because it conserves water and energy.

• Ensure you have the space and access you need to make life easier. For example, lower shelves and counters for wheelchair access or to allow you to sit while you work in the kitchen, and install wider doors and hallways to give you more room to maneuver.

By making simple changes and choosing products designed to make life easier for a wide range of ages and abilities, you can stay comfortable in your home for as long as possible - and improve its value and marketability when the time comes to sell. Courtesy of ARAcontent