With the heat rising, more people are trying to protect the environment. One way is to bring in more eco-friendly methods in to our surrounding. Our home is a place where we can start with adopting eco-friendly practice. Adopting an eco-friendly approach in our kitchen is a way to reduce our carbon footprint.
A eco-friendly kitchen is not just a trend but also a way of showing how we protect environment. The choice you make allows you to create a greener and more sustainable future.
If you have always wanted to design an eco-friendly kitchen but are not sure where to start, read this article. In this article, we will explore some tips that will help you transform your kitchen into a space that works towards eco-friendly, allowing us to playing our part in protecting the environment.
Tips To Create Eco-friendly Kitchen #1 - Use Sustainable Materials
When designing an eco-friendly kitchen, you need to have the correct mindset. Start with the material you use for your eco-friendly kitchen. It can have an impact to your space. When choosing the materials, opt for sustainable materials. Besides creating an eco-friendly environment, i can add an natural aesthetic to your space.
One way is to using reclaimed wood for cabinetry and shelving. Besides enhancing your kitchen aesthetic, it also helps to reduce the need of woods. The source of reclaimed wood are usually from warehouses. There are also other sources depending on how the manufacturer finds. If you are looking for a unique and rustic look for your space, reclaimed wood is a good choice.
For countertop material, opt for natural stone countertops, such as quartz. Choose the right material for your countertop. The material shouldn’t have a great impact to the environment.
Materials like recycled glass is also an eco-friendly choice. You can find it in various colors and styles. It can contribute to a greener environment and also add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.
Tips To Create Eco-friendly Kitchen #2 - Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Your kitchen appliances include fridges, ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves which are the workhorses of your culinary haven. In addition, they form part of what consumes energy in your home. For carbon footprint reduction, possibly select energy-efficient models that also save on bills in future.
Energy-efficient appliances consume less electricity or gas without compromising reliable operation. They typically incorporate advanced technologies aimed at optimizing energy consumption including enhanced insulation materials, tighter temperature regulation and effective drive mechanisms.
If your refrigerator is too old for you, you can just upgrade it. They are even built to be more efficient as far as energy is concerned, and they come with things like adjustable thermostats and better insulation for the machine. Another way is using an induction cooktop, which has the ability to cook accurately and saves a lot of energy.
You could also consider convection ovens where air is circulated by fans making food to cook faster and evenly. Smaller appliances such as toasters, blenders and microwaves may not have as much power usage as larger ones, but they still contribute to energy saving if used properly. Don’t leave them on standby; unplug them when not in use.
Tips To Create Eco-friendly Kitchen #3 - Refacing Kitchen Cabinet
Not all eco-friendly kitchens need replacements however; some may just involve re-purposing what one already has or improving its features. An example of this could be refacing your kitchen cabinets which needs less cash and waste than buying new ones.
Moreover, refacing the cupboards allows one to make changes in the appearance of the kitchen while still retaining original designs. One can opt for various finishes, styles or colors that will fit his or her eco-friendly kitchen concept.
Alternatively, you could upgrade your cabinet hardware which would make a huge difference. Thus, you can purchase knobs and pulls made out of environmental friendly resources that will add some luxury into your kitchen while enhancing sustainable practices.
If you don’t want to go through a whole lot of trouble, refacing your kitchen cabinet is definitely better than replacing your whole cabinet. It will minimize the inconvenience caused and you still can upgrade your space.
Tips To Create Eco-friendly Kitchen #4 - Switch To LED Bulb
Efficient lighting is another factor to consider when designing an eco-friendly kitchen. Traditional incandescent bulbs uses more energy and their lifespan will be shorter. You will be facing frequent replacements if you opt for this. Another option for lighting will be LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, it is more sustainable and have longer lifespan.
LED bulbs are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They use lesser electricity which can help you to save on your energy bills.
The lifespan of LED bulbs can last up to 25,000 hours or even longer. You won’t need to replace it often, which means there will be lesser waste.
Tips To Create Eco-friendly Kitchen #5 - Choose Eco-Friendly Paint
When designing an eco-friendly kitchen, the paint you use for the space will also have an impact to the environment. Traditional paints will include elements such as harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds. All these elements can have an impact to the environment.
But for eco-friendly paints, they uses lesser VOCs. The indoor air quality will be better and will reducing the problems of respiratory and headaches.
The process of making traditional paint will release hazardous chemicals. It will cause air pollution. When manufacturing eco-friendly paints, they focus on sustainability. You will find lesser harmful chemicals and more sustainable materials.
They are also more durable. Don’t worry about the quality as it will still be good. The color will also still maintain as years pass. With minimal repainting, lesser impact will cause to the environment and your health. There are a wide range of colors and finishes for you to choose for your desired aesthetic in the space. No compromising on your kitchen style is needed.
