HOW TO DESIGN AN ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN

HOW TO DESIGN AN ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN

Every step you take toward eco-friendly living benefits the world, whether you’ve chosen to do so to help the environment, save money, or test it out. If you’re just getting started with sustainable living, why not start with the room you use the most – your kitchen. There are various ways to design an eco-friendly kitchen when remodelling or building one. Don’t worry; doing so is much easier than you think, and you will be left with a kitchen that is not only sustainable but also beautiful.

Go for eco-friendly floors and walls.

Always choose eco-friendly floors and walls if you have the opportunity. What exactly does this imply? When it comes to flooring, it’s important to choose sustainable materials. Several possibilities include recycled tiles, cork, bamboo, and sustainably sourced hardwood. Look around for some that will work for you, and trust us when we say that you won’t have to sacrifice beauty for sustainability. On the other hand, non-toxic paint is the way to go when it comes to your walls. Natural paint is manufactured without using solvents and contains no harmful volatile organic components.

You will be able to achieve any look when you design an eco-friendly kitchen.

Choose kitchen counters and windows wisely.

When it comes to kitchen items, you must be as careful with your floors and walls. Your kitchen counters and windows are the most vital. Natural materials, such as reclaimed wood or quartz, are ideal for kitchen counters. These are environmentally friendly, but they also look great in your kitchen. When it comes to windows, choose ones that will reduce energy usage, such as double-glazed windows. When purchasing other products, consider where they came from, how long they might last, and where they might end up if discarded before making a purchase.

Repurpose or reuse items when possible

Repurposing goods (or refurbishing them) whenever possible allows you to create a beautiful kitchen while also preventing items from ending up in landfills. By saving these items and finding a different purpose for them, you are, in turn, saving the planet. There are many organizing hacks you can follow when designing an eco-friendly kitchen. For example, if you lack space, you can reuse old glass jars or plastic containers by labelling them and storing food items you otherwise don’t have containers for. This will make your small kitchen that much more organized and eco-friendly.

Of course, you can refurbish old furniture that you’ve acquired secondhand or were about to discard. A little extra care will go a long way in extending the life of your item. We can transform a chair from a dull chair you’d like to get rid of into a vibrant, modern chair you’ll be proud to own and exhibit in your kitchen. The options are limitless! Before you toss something, consider whether you can find a new home for it or repurpose it.

Please don’t throw away used glass bottles; they can be reused in various ways.

Conserve water daily

Because we use water daily, we neglect just how precious of a resource it is. There are many simple ways to save water, make your kitchen more effective, and cut your monthly expenses. Of course, this will also help the environment and reduce the amount of precious water wasted. How do you choose a faucet that is water efficient? By looking for a product with the WaterSense label. This label promises the product doesn’t waste water and that it will, in turn, make your home more energy-efficient. Who doesn’t want that?

Additionally, you can opt for faucets with a smart sensor that turns them off when not in use. This makes them highly convenient and dramatically decreases the amount of water you waste daily. And always be aware of how much water you need for a particular task. Take shorter showers, turn off the faucet when not used, and know you make a difference.

Create a sustainable kitchen by reducing waste as much as possible

Luckily, there is no shortage of ways to reduce waste in your kitchen these days. Exchange plastic food wraps for beeswax wraps or aluminium/baking foil for a silicone baking mat. Why not invest in an elegant strainer and buy loose-leaf tea instead of a prepackaged one if you love drinking tea? This will not only save you some money but is an excellent opportunity to reduce waste from packaging. Although paper towels are most often used in a home, did you know you can exchange them for reusable, cotton, easily-washed kitchen towels?

Additionally, there are many natural cleaning supplies that you can make yourself or find. For example, a natural dish soap packed into a bar may exchange three whole dish soap bottles. On the other hand, if you don’t want to use one-use storage options, opt for eco-friendly packing (just as you would when moving). Lastly, one of the simplest ways you can design an eco-friendly kitchen is to have a compost bin at hand. You can toss organic matter into it, such as eggshells and banana peels, and bring the minerals back to nature. Make sure you use sustainable methods whenever possible, and planet Earth will thank you for it.

Make sure to place your compost bin somewhere nearby when designing an eco-friendly kitchen.

Opt for energy-efficient appliances and lights

While you may be thinking about the previously mentioned tips, don’t forget other ways to design an eco-friendly kitchen. One such method is by choosing energy-efficient kitchen appliances. Each kitchen appliance differs by how energy-efficient they are. If you want to save money, ensure the appliance has an Energy Star symbol. This ensures the appliance follows the EPA criteria for energy efficiency. When it comes to the type of lights you use in your kitchen, always choose LED bulbs and add dimmer switches to reduce the wattage.