Start with three everyday tasks
Choose tasks such as making a drink, preparing breakfast and putting groceries away. Walk through each with the person using the kitchen. This reveals the important reaches and movements more clearly than a general request for accessible cupboards.
Check the kitchen with doors and appliances open
Drawers, dishwasher doors and oven doors can interrupt circulation. A clear plan with everything closed may be misleading. Consider how items are moved between storage, preparation and cooking without assuming every surface can be reached.
Design work areas for their actual use
A shared household may benefit from different work areas rather than one height for everyone. Seated use needs suitable space and appropriate treatment of services beneath sinks or preparation areas. Obtain professional input for specific functional requirements.
Select appliances with the layout
Check controls, handles, opening direction and product installation requirements. Ask for a demonstration where possible. A familiar product may be easier to use than a complex feature that looks impressive but creates another barrier.
Keep everyday storage reachable
Prioritise frequently used items and consider their weight as well as location. Pull out fittings can change the way a cabinet is accessed, but their operation still needs to suit the user. Review storage together with the clear space around it.
Coordinate the wider renovation
Plumbing, electrical work, lighting, flooring and doorway changes may all belong in the scope. Ask how the kitchen will function during work and whether temporary arrangements are needed. Keep optional finish upgrades separate from the access requirements.
Confirm the design before manufacture
Cabinetry is difficult to alter once made. Review the dimensions, service positions and equipment with the relevant people before approval. A physical mock up of an important reach or work position can be useful as part of assessment.