KBIS Panel Recap: Reframing Aging in Place for Today’s Kitchen and Bath

By 2050, the population of Americans age 85 and older is projected to nearly triple — a demographic shift that will profoundly influence how kitchens and baths are designed. With this in mind, an American Society of Interior Designers panel at this year’s KBIS explored this topic in depth. Attendees of the panel gained insights on longevity, independence and safety as it pertains to the built environment.

During the panel, “Freedom By Design: Reframing Aging in Place for Today’s Kitchen and Bath,” Registered Interior Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Amber Clore Morales, owner of A. Clore Interiors, shared essential strategies for design and removing any stigma associated with aging. Kitchens and baths shape independence, she said, because they are the highest-impact design zones, where daily routines take place and where safety and dignity begin.

“These clients want homes that grow with them,” said Clore. “When they see it as ‘smart planning for the future,’ it’s much more appealing to think about than ‘designing for their decline.’ We’re looking for environments that evolve with all stages of life. It’s really about living with freedom.”

An accessible space is the goal, she added, making it easy to move around and to reach things. “You also have to account for the caregiver. It has to be easy for caregivers to maneuver in the space.”

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