Homeowners planning a kitchen for use in older age should ensure the room is as functional as possible, an expert has said.Interior designer Julia Johnston told thespec.com that a typical kitchen renovation lasts for 20 years, meaning that mobility issues should be a consideration for homeowners in their 40s or 50s.She said that safety is the primary concern, adding You want to minimize burning, scalding, spilling, breaking.To achieve this, Ms Johnston advised keeping essential, everyday kitchen items readily accessible while storing away or removing clutter.Dont stack things on the counter. Dont store anything up high, especially if you use it regularly, she said.As a handy tip for helping homeowners decide what to get rid of, Ms Johnston suggested putting a piece of red tape on every item in the kitchen and then removing it once the item is used. After six months, anything that still had tape on it could be identified as unnecessary clutter, she said.Kitchen sinks and taps can also be adapted to make kitchen activities easier. Interior stylist Kathleen Donohue recently told the Bulletin that she chose to add a pot-filling tap as part of a kitchen design because cooking was an important priority for the homeowners.