Are you one of the homeowners interested in switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle? Suppose you decided to adopt a green approach; you most likely aim to redesign your kitchen because you figured out that it’s the least eco-friendly room in the house.
Transforming the cooking space into a green room will reduce your household’s carbon footprint and allow you to save money in the long run. Embracing a sustainable lifestyle implies eating green, using equipment made from sustainable materials, adopting eco-friendly cooking and cleaning habits, and removing all toxic chemicals from your house.
When it comes to designing a green kitchen, all that counts are passion, devotion, and common sense. Here, you have listed some easy ways to have a sustainable kitchen.
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Reface your cabinets
When revamping the kitchen to make it more eco-friendly, you shouldn’t remove everything out of the room and purchase new cabinetry and appliances because you’ll produce waste. Refacing the cabinets will enable you to achieve whatever look you have in mind for the kitchen while producing minimum waste. The reinforcement process aims to make your existing drawers and cupboards stronger and more durable. And where do you count that you also save money because refacing cabinets is a more affordable solution than purchasing new custom furniture?
This strategy works great when you want to maintain the same kitchen layout. Refacing cabinetry instead of replacing it with new furnishing is an eco-conscious option because it allows you to achieve the look you desire without harming the environment.
However, your kitchen might not be suitable for this, so you need to look for another viable solution. Suppose you need to install new cabinets, opt for those made of sustainable materials.
Pick only sustainable and high-quality materials for the kitchen
Another crucial step in creating a green cooking place is to opt for sustainable materials. Research to find out what materials are good for the planet and make a list of those you should avoid. Compare the options and compare the pros and cons of each one. It’s recommended to use materials like bamboo, stone, cork, or quartz. Suppose you can’t afford to install natural stone sinks (as the material is known for being pricey); you can opt for granite kitchen sinks, as they’re also great alternatives. Besides naturally sourced materials, you should also choose recycled solutions like reclaimed wood and recycled glass, as they’re eco-friendly because they require the use of fewer resources during production.
Many homeowners wonder if sustainable materials look as aesthetically pleasing as less green alternatives. Worry no more because nothing looks more beautiful than natural materials.
Install energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and lighting
You’re one of many homeowners looking for energy-efficient home appliances. Energy efficiency has become a priority in the present culture, so you can choose from countless solutions. Change the kitchen appliances, HVAC system, and lighting with energy-efficient alternatives that meet the EPA guidelines. Make sure you also check the plumbing system to identify any leaks that could cause water waste.
It would also be great to add dimmer switches to adjust the wattage according to your needs and moments of the day. You can control how bright the room is according to your needs and also save energy. Additionally, switching all the bulbs with LED alternatives would be best because they’re more energy efficient. Even if they’re pricier, they make a return on the investment in the long run because they require fewer replacements and help you save energy.
Don’t use VOC paint
You might also decide to paint the kitchen walls as part of the renovation. If this is the case, ensure you select a safe paint for the environment and your health. Most over-the-counter paints contain volatile organic compounds that harm your health and the environment. When the fumes from the paint are released into the air, they pollute the atmosphere and become toxic for those who inhale them.
When creating an eco-friendly kitchen, you should avoid any product containing volatile compounds. Several brands offer no VOC paints, so you should research and pick a safe product for your health and the planet.
Use natural cleaning products
This is one of the easiest tips to follow because it implies searching for alternatives the next time you purchase cleaning products. Instead of buying conventional cleaning products, choose alternatives that contain no toxic ingredients, which are bad for the environment and also your health. Toxic ingredients disrupt the microbiome of your kitchen and pollute the surrounding environment because they reach soil and water. Pick products that contain ingredients like chlorine and ammonia, as they don’t harm the environment and pose health risks.
Invest in an energy-efficient stove
The stove is the highest energy consumer in your house, and it could be challenging to choose one because you must ensure it meets your cooking needs. However, you could narrow down the list of choices by checking only energy-conscious stoves that allow you to save resources.
Most homeowners use gas stoves because it’s easy to control the temperature. You might have also looked for a gas stove if you love to prepare complex dishes that require special coking conditions. However, gas stoves are far from being eco-friendly and could negatively impact the air quality in your house.
You could opt for an induction cooktop that uses half the energy a traditional stove needs because it relies on an electromagnetic feature. The downside is that you’ll also need new cookware because induction stoves are compatible only with a special range of pots.
Besides the presented options, you can also find other stove models that use renewable energy resources so you can create a sustainable cooking environment.
Final words
As a homeowner, you have an important role to play in creating a sustainable environment. You can switch from conventional to eco-friendly alternatives and make a difference in the planet’s future while saving money and protecting your health.