Low And High Contrast Kitchen and Dining Area

Using Contrast in the Kitchen

Using visual contrast such as a color contrasting cutting board and contrasting cabinetry and hardware can help people who are blind or low vision work in their kitchen more safely and effectively. Using a good contrast/bad contrast approach you can check out for yourself how using different options for contrast can help you function more easily in the kitchen. These changes do not have to be expensive; all it takes is a little imagination and trial and error to find out what works for you.

Low Contrast Kitchen

The low contrast kitchen shows a light colored cabinet and cabinet top. White plates are set on a light colored shelf. The microwave is light colored and has no distinguishing tactile markings for the settings. The timer is small with no tactile markings or contrasting colored numerals. The cutting board is a dark color against a light cabinet top, but the object to be cut is a dark red apple and does not contrast against the cutting board. The light switches are a light color against a light wall. There is a light colored dishwasher set into light colored cabinetry. All of these features provide examples of low visual and textural contrast.

High Contrast Kitchen

The high contrast kitchen shows a light colored cabinet and dark cabinet top with dark colored pulls on the cabinet doors. White plates are set on a dark colored shelf. The microwave is white against the dark colored cabinet top and shows tactile markings on the settings. The timer is large with large white numerals against a black background. The cutting board is a light color with a dark apple and a dark handled pivot knife set into the cutting board. There is a light soap dish with dark colored soap. The light switches are light against a dark background. The dark colored dishwasher is set into light colored cabinetry. All of these features provide examples of high visual and textural contrast.

Importance of Contrast, Lighting and Glare Control in the Dining Area

Whether it’s a formal dining room, or a breakfast nook in the kitchen, everyone wants a dining room that’s comfortable and complements the joy of eating. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Make use of contrast in your furniture and table settings. If your chair cushions contrast in color to your chairs, you’ll be able to find them more easily. You may want to have a solid color “table runner” on your table to provide some contrast. Use placemats that contrast with the table, and napkins that contrast with the placemat, so you can locate them. If it contrasts with your placemat or table, a solid white plate is often the best option, allowing you to more readily see the food on your plate.
Keep as much clutter as possible off your table. If you have a flower arrangement, candles, salt, and pepper as a standard part of the table setting, remember to remove them before cleaning the table—or you could even remove them before placing serving dishes on the table.

Other Helpful Ideas for the Kitchen

The principles outlined in Lighting and Glare apply to every part of your living space. The kitchen, however, is one room that obviously requires special attention. Here you’ll find organizational tips and suggestions for a few simple steps you can take to make kitchen chores easier and safer. For tips on food preparation and cooking, see Cooking & Meals. Also check the information on labeling and marking.

Five Ways to Organize!

Put items away after use in the same designated place.
Organize utensils in drawers with a method that makes sense to you (for example, forks on the left, spoons to the immediate right …
Put knives are in a separate location from other utensils.
Put most frequently used pots and pans in a specific location such as on a pegboard within easy reach, or in a cupboard near the stove.
Develop a system to organize foods on cupboard shelves and in the refrigerator so that every type of food has its designated place.

Mark Appliances

It is often very difficult to see the dials on a stove and other appliances. There are products that can help. Bump (tactile) dots or 3D pens (also known as Hi-Mark pens) are durable and effective markers. You can mark stovetops or the oven dial at the point you use most. When using ovens, for example, 350 degrees is a common setting for baking. Place a mark above the dial then turn the knob until the mark on the dial matches the one on the stove. Also, if you’re in the market for a new oven, look for a brand that automatically sets the oven to 350 degrees when turned on.

Also, when purchasing small appliances, look for items that have tactile settings or large-print displays.

Work Your Appliances

white stovetop with red tactile dots to indicate off position — **Tactile Dots on Stove**

Mark all other appliances and appliance features you plan to use (refrigerator temperature and water and ice dispensers, dishwasher, microwave, etc.) Some microwaves come with a braille overlay or large-print labels that can be ordered from the manufacturer.