Ideas from Green Mountain Ranch : With Over 200 Green and Universal Design Elements

Kitchen Counters, Walls, and Floors

39. Light colored counters and floors throughout to increase reflected light and save energy.

40. Low glare on all floors to prevent veiling reflections which are perceived as puddles of water (slipping hazards) by people with reduced vision.

41. Accessible route between the kitchen, garage, patio, two bedrooms, three baths, living room, and library. Adaptable route to all spaces.

42. Staggered stud construction to prevent noise transmission to other rooms

43. Zero clearance kitchen entries with less than 1/4” change of elevation throughout the accessible route.  This prevents tripping.

44. Sweeps on kitchen doors to eliminate the thresholds with are tripping hazards.

45. Non-slip quartzite floor

46. Narrow level floor joints (for wheelchair users)

47. Anti-microbial solid synthetic counters

48. Synthetic counters won’t off-gas radon as some granites do.

49. The counters are made with 35% recycled material and are fabricated within 100 miles of the home to save energy.

50. Counters all on one level for sliding heavy pans

51. Fruit bowl/sink on the counter to encourage healthy eating (plumbed for washing fruit).