Kitchens are the hub of the home. and the most hardworking of spaces, no matter its size or style, this is the one room that gets constant use, day in day out.

Symphony’s Freedom collection is designed to support both independent living and multi-generational homes for now and the future.

“With many more of us living in multi-generational households, there are a plethora of features available that can improve the use of the kitchen for every member of the family,” says Adam Thomas, a leading expert in accessible design who collaborated on the Freedom kitchen collection with Symphony.

“Good, ergonomic kitchen design minimises movement, so you spend less energy bending, stretching, lifting and cleaning, and this can be achieved through thoughtful and careful planning.”

Symphony’s Freedom kitchen collection is designed on the key principles of safety, flexibility, storage and style. Safety is ensured throughout, with careful planning that considers the layout of cabinets and the height of ovens and worksurfaces so that the risk of injuries and falls is significantly reduced.

Waterfall edge worktops limit spillages while electric rise and fall surfaces and wall cabinets can be adjusted by the user to suit their needs. Innovative oven housings, heatproof reduced depth sinks, induction hobs, slide and hide oven doors and pull-out storage drawers also all help to create a safe and usable kitchen environment.

When planning a multi-generational or accessible kitchen, Adam Thomas adds that instead of installing hard to reach cabinets, think about using drawers and extensive pull-out systems to bring items towards you.

“Uninterrupted, adjustable worktops with accessible areas give greater functionality,” he says, “while a worktop with a raised waterfall edge will help prevent spillages onto the floor, avoiding potential back and knee strain from cleaning up. Plan the placement of appliances to ensure they are close to the sink and within easy reach of a worksurface to avoid carrying pots and pans across open spaces. An oven placed at mid height also avoids having to stoop to remove hot and heavy items, making it much safer to use.”

Style-wise, a Freedom design doesn’t mean compromising on aesthetics. A combination of finishes on tall and base cabinets with contrasting colours between frontals, worktops, floors and walls will create a modern workspace where anyone with visual impairment will find it easier to move around. The right combination of task and ambient lighting will also improve visibility as well as boosting mood and a feeling of well-being.

“Thinking ahead to ensure your new kitchen design can be adjusted to accommodate any new needs is a sensible future-proofing idea,” advises Adam Thomas. “Even planning the electrics to allow for the installation of a rise and fall worktop without the need to rewire later on is worth considering.”

Pictured top: Freedom by Symphony Urban Kitchen in Indigo

Middle R: Freedom by Symphony Urban Kitchen in Indigo, Pictured – NEFF Hide and Slide Ovens

Middle L: Freedom by Symphony Urban Kitchen in Indigo, Pictured – Corian Pearl Grey Rise and Fall Worktop with Waterfall Edge