Wonderful Life | Nov 25 2022

Sustainable Kitchens - Design an Eco-Friendly Cooking Space

- 6 Ways to Design an Eco-Friendly Cooking Space

What is a sustainable kitchen?




A sustainable kitchen has no negative impact on the planet. It includes using sustainable materials, combining antiques and repurposing, and using non-toxic paints.


Research shows that 34% of buyers choose a brand with environmentally sustainable practices to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Whether you prefer the sophistication of sleek, contemporary design or lean towards the timeless style of farmhouse design, a few simple changes and conscious decisions will help ensure your kitchen ideas don’t drain the planet.


How to create a sustainable kitchen?




1. Combine antique and vintage furniture


One of the principles of sustainable living is to reduce waste whether it's wasted energy or wasted resources. If you're designing your kitchen to reduce waste, here's a sure way to make it more sustainable:


Incorporating antique furniture and recycled materials into a kitchen design is a more sustainable approach with less pressure on the environment.

You might consider selling your unwanted furniture, giving it a new home elsewhere, or learning how to paint wooden furniture to help you breathe new life into old furniture.

You can also look for vintage furniture full of charm, or see if parts of your new kitchen can be sourced from recycled materials. Antiques don't have to cost a fortune either. In fact, they are often a more cost-effective way to decorate your home.



2.  Opt for reclaimed floors

Reusing old materials saves energy and resources and infuses the home with history and character that a new purchase cannot emulate. Flooring is a great opportunity to incorporate recycled materials into your space, especially when it comes to kitchen floor ideas, as they are often more durable than new products.

Beautifully aged, terracotta tiles, with their natural patina displayed on reclaimed tiles, add a unique piece of history and charm to any room.

3.  Swap your bulbs for LEDs


The most efficient kitchen lighting idea are LEDs that offer 95% efficiency and consume very low electricity. Using less energy reduces power plant demand and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. They also provide higher quality light distribution, which means fewer lamps are required to achieve the same brightness levels as conventional lighting.


4.  Replace the cabinet doors instead of the entire kitchen


The average kitchen cabinet usually lasts 15 to 20 years,before needing to be replaced. However, many homeowners replace them while they are still fully functional because they want to create a different look.


If your kitchen cabinets are well constructed, there is no need to replace them. Simply replacing cabinet doors is a great way to breathe new life into a space without the cost or inconvenience of replacing an entire kitchen.

5.  Shop Locally


Shopping locally will be different for everyone, as each area has its unique stores and suppliers. From a sustainability standpoint, shopping locally will reduce the flight mileage of materials and finished products, but it will also create the feel of a custom kitchen at a fraction of the cost.


6.  Small changes can have a big impact


When it comes to larger renovation projects, it's important to remember that small kitchen solutions don't always stretch. Expansion requires a lot of new materials, as well as electricity and fossil fuels, to deliver your supplies and complete the project. Therefore, other avenues should be explored to see if there are more sustainable ways to maximize the available space.




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