Design Matters

by Kenneth Archbold

Eating is an essential part of life. It can be for pleasure or simply functional but almost all of our food is stored and prepared in a kitchen, making this area of the house one of the most heavily used. Google any kitchen designer and you will see that designs for people with particular needs isn’t really something that instantly pops up without more digging. But is it necessary to have a specialist come out to design and build your kitchen? I emailed and called some of the big companies to ask if it is possible to adapt their designs for the needs of a disabled individual.

TESCO

Tesco were the first to get back to me and their answer was short and to the point.

“Unfortunately at this time we are unable to adapt our Kitchens to suit various mobility needs of people with disabilities.”

I was a little surprised that a company as large as Tesco wouldn’t be able to offer this service but then again asking a massive company like this to specialise might be asking too much off them.

BnQ

In order to contact BnQ I had to use their contact page and wait for a response. I wrote to them initially on Friday the 4^th and again on Monday the 7^th. By the afternoon of the 8^th I still hadn’t got a response so I gave them a call.

BnQ gave me a bit of a run around trying to get information from them (probably because I said I was writing and article for you guys) but were keen to point out that the have made kitchen of this sort before and they have no problems designing kitchens for anyone with any mobility needs.

I did get an email with an apology for its delay on the 9^th . In it they said

“The customers needs and requirements would be looked at and then a design made up through the customers' local store. “

Customer Services - 0845 609 6688

Magnet

Like BnQ, in order to contact Magnet I had to use their contact page and wait for a response. I wrote to them initially on Friday the 4^th and again on Monday the 7^th. By the afternoon of the 8^th I still hadn’t got a response so I gave them a call aswell.

They were very helpful and quick to point out that not only did they follow the same design procedure with everyone, disability or not, they had some added products that may be able to help those with a disability.

North of England & Scotland - 01325 744 093

IKEA

UK IKEA store

General phone number 020 3645 0000

IKEA was the most difficult to get in touch with. While their website does have an email section, it has been closed for some reason so you can only call them or ask their online service (automated or real person, it doesn’t matter; the first was useless and the second was unavailable). Calling does rather put IKEA at a disadvantage as the person at the other end doesn’t have time to formulate a response like the others but my sympathy is limited for a company that won’t maintain adequate lines of communication with its customers.

I gave up waiting for an email reply so I gave them a call and was put through to their Edinburgh store. The helpful fellow at the other end seemed to know his stuff and pointed out that the store has several facilities to make it easier for people with mobility issues to get around and that even if someone couldn’t get to the store Ikea would send a planner round to their home.

Unfortunately, I was told they do not have products designed for people with disabilities but I was informed that they may be able to “work around” the problem with some of their products.

Küchenstore

Küchenstore were the by far quickest to get back to me. Having asked for information at 11:00am on the 8^th I received a phone call with 2 hours and we discussed the options available. Because Küchenstore build everything to requirement their service for someone with a disability is exactly the same for someone without.

Tel: 0800 774 7088

Designers have identified that there has been a gap in the market for these types of designs and it is good to see some designers just treat it as a challenge rather than a hindrance. They give people that need something designed in the kitchen the same service regardless of disability. I still feel it is disappointing that the larger companies such as Tesco and Ikea won’t build for people with a disability but while there are still plenty other out there that will they won’t be missed.

Have you had your kitchen remade recently? Who did you use and were they any good? Tell us on out bespoken.me social media page. Get chatting!

Design Matters

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