A 9-Step Checklist for an Eco-Friendly Kitchen Redesign

Sarah Jessica Smith - Contributing writer

Posted on Wednesday 6th February 2019
Green design

 

Kitchen redesign includes many decisions a homeowner needs to make in order to build an ideal place to prepare food. But this is not a bad thing since updating a kitchen is an exciting process that can really change the face of the house. However, it is also an ideal candidate to introduce eco-friendly solutions and practices that will reinvent your space and lifestyle.

Therefore, if you are looking for new concepts and ideas, check out these steps to have an eco-friendly redesign.

  1. Natural and energy efficient lighting

When it comes to eco-friendly lighting solution, you can combine natural light with energy efficient solution for the best results from environmental and design standpoint. Consider adding tubular daylighting systems, a skylight or more windows is there is room for these types of the redesign. Use LED bulbs since they are very energy efficient and have a wide variety of colors and strengths to cover your every need.

Lightning and decor
  1. Select eco-friendly materials

There are many eco-friendly materials today for interior and exterior space like lime plaster which has been in use for thousands of years. However, besides recycled materials, you also need to think about sustainability and that means using the formaldehyde-free glues. This means that you should build your cabinets and countertops from solid wood, reclaimed wood, reclaimed timber, FSC-certified wood, bamboo, and other eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

eco-friendly materials
  1. Consider water efficient fixture

A right faucet can help you spend less water without losing the pressure and sacrificing the comfortableness. There are special eco-friendly faucets on the market which lower the flow considerably but they don’t impair the performance. Combine this with other eco-friendly kitchen practices, and you have already done a great deal for our planet.

  1. Eco-friendly flooring

Just like kitchen cabinets, flooring can also be made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials. Besides going for hardwood floors, you can also choose recycled tiles and sustainable cork, as well as bamboo. Stone and marble are natural materials which will also keep the room cool in summers and prevent the use of air-conditioner which emits greenhouse gasses and consumes energy.

  1. Say ‘No’ to VOC-based paints and coatings

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are the reason your home has that new paint smell which reminds you of fresh starts and positive change. These chemicals vaporize even when the paint is dried and they can have serious consequences for your health. So before you decide on the color, read the label and see if the paint is VOC-free to make your eco-friendly kitchen remodel free of toxins.

  1. Hire an expert

The way to get the best results is to hire a green contractor who understands what you want and has a substantial experience like Impecca Build. Finding a contractor that understands what you want and knows how to deliver that gives financially beneficial results. That way you will truly turn your kitchen into an eco-friendly space, get the kitchen redesign you want and have quality assurance.

  1. Invite the nature

The kitchen is ideal for some plant life that will both look great, clean the air and make a nice addition to food like lemon mint and basil. Herbs are inseparable parts of any cuisine, so having a small indoor garden will always give you a fresh batch. See with your contractor to create a space for the herb garden on the window sill above the sink or buy a small greenhouse specially design for this purpose.

You can even decide to decorate with plants that are famous for their oxygen-producing properties like snake plant, aloe vera, and orchid. Adding greenery to space can also help you create shade and cooler environment so big leaf plants like fiddle-leaf fig.

kitchen
  1. Energy saving appliances

Appliances are always the toughest choice to make since the price can be overwhelming. However, the results of choosing the energy saving appliances are beneficial both to the budget and the environment. Not only will your energy bill be lower, but you will also emit less heat and consume less power which will be the ultimate eco-friendly kitchen redesign step.

When buying an appliance, pay attention to the label and look for the energy star certified units. They may cost more but will pay off on the long run in a financial and environmental sense.

  1. Gas or electric stove

One of the most common questions when it comes to kitchen redesign is whether to use a gas or electric stove. Electric stoves create less heat but use a lot of energy which will, while natural gas stoves are more affordable but will create more heat. However, although gas stoves are not 100% eco-friendly since they use a natural resource, they still are less environmentally harmful than electric ones. But if you adopt green cooking methods, you will easily decide which one of these solutions is the best for you and your eco-friendly kitchen.

gas cooking

This approach will definitely make your kitchen more inviting, and there are more small design tricks that can help you make lovely eco-friendly kitchen where you will be spending terrific moments with your family and friends.

Lastly

It is hard to follow all the principles when working on an eco-friendly redesign, but even if you do as much as you can, you are making this planet a healthier place. And with ongoing natural catastrophes to human, animal and plant life, planet Earth needs all the help it can get.

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