Despite 98% of UK households owning a kettle, many elderly and disabled people find kettles difficult and dangerous to use. Holding the weight of a kettle requires strength, filling the kettle under a tap requires accurate eyesight, and pouring the boiling water into a mug requires steady movement. Mainstream kettles don’t account for the physical limitations many users have, and products attempting to minimise these issues are niche, disability-focused products which don’t solve all the problems and often cause stigma by highlighting the user’s disability.

My solution is a complete reinvention of the kettle. The innovative design balances the functional needs of the target users with a beautiful aesthetic, ensuring people can safely and independently use their kettle without worrying about stigma, embarrassment or injury. 

Key innovations in the design include: the dual horizontal handles which give users flexibility in how they carry and an easier carrying experience altogether; an innovative lid design that allows the user to fill the kettle without needing to open the lid – removing unnecessary actions that can often be difficult; and large buttons and dials that are easy to interact with for people of all abilities. The raised stand that boils the water also eliminates the need to lift and pour the water after boiling. Instead, the user presses a single button to safely dispense the water into whatever object they place underneath the stand. These key design decisions resulted in a product that testers have found to be far easier to use than mainstream kettles, while the aesthetic decisions have resulted in a product that people are proud to show off in their home; a stark contrast to the disability-aids that many interviewees try to hide when guests are visiting.