Preserving the environment is what many homeowners put emphasis on when designing their kitchen spaces. There are many ways to make nature a part of your kitchen – some of them include investing in quality items, while some of them can be as simple and inexpensive as changing a few daily habits in order to reduce our carbon footprint. If you are interested in learning about designing an eco-friendly kitchen, read on to get inspired.
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Opt for natural materials
Consider getting rid of your plastic containers and switch to the ones made from glass. Besides being more durable, glass is a safer and healthier option, too, since plastic is full of harmful chemicals. Also, plastic bags are out of the question – go and buy several sturdy, cotton tote bags that are both stylish and eco-friendly. Hang them on your kitchen doors and keep a few of them in your car as well. Another thing you can change in order to save the environment is reduce the amount of single-use items you have in your kitchen. Paper towels are useful, but they don’t really help the environment. It’s better to opt for cotton cloths – they absorb water efficiently and they can be washed and reused again and again.
Create a kitchen that fits your style
When creating a kitchen that is both stylish and eco-friendly, you need to decide whether you are going to design everything on your own or if you need to hire a professional to deal with the details. Maybe you know what you want, but do you really know how to translate your ideas into your kitchen space? If you’re not sure whether it’ll look as good as you think, consider hiring experts for kitchen and bathroom renovations in Sydney – not only will it cost you less to have someone else deal with the potential downsides, but you’ll also be able to relax during the whole renovation process. Think about the style of the kitchen, its space and how it’s going to be utilized – share your vision and specify what’s exactly that you want in your kitchen space.
Choose energy-efficient models of appliances
There are many benefits of going energy efficient. Even though your old kitchen appliances are still working properly, you might want to consider replacing your old stove, refrigerator and a dishwasher with newer, energy-efficient models. Old appliances tend to spend more energy, resulting in higher electricity bills. Using energy-efficient appliances will help you cut down on your energy consumption significantly and save you money in the long run. Another way to go green with your appliances would be to switch your light bulbs for energy-saving ones. By implementing these appliances into your kitchen, you will enhance the quality of your life and reduce your carbon footprint.
Add some greenery to liven it up
Nothing will make your kitchen look more green and eco-friendly than introducing some plants. They act as a quick decorating tool and help create a calming, balanced vibe for your kitchen space. Consider implementing a couple of low maintenance plants to spruce up your kitchen area. Opt for a Snake plant, Aloe Vera, or Christmas Cactus – they don’t require special attention and will thrive if they get a fair amount of sunlight and you water them from time to time. Plants are very useful since they act as a natural filter, by absorbing toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen in return. Another way of introducing greenery into your kitchen is by placing microgreens on your countertops – that way, you’ll always have some fresh herbs when preparing meals. A great green addition to your green kitchen!
Dedicate an area of your kitchen for recycling and composting
A good and effective recycling system will keep you motivated – that is why it is important to set up a recycling center. It is done by simply placing bins in your spare cabinet or underneath your counter. Another way to make your kitchen more green and eco-conscious is by placing one bin for the organic waste under your sink, and a DIY compost bin in your yard. Composting is a great way to preserve the environment because you are actually putting your food scraps to good use (mulch or potting soil, or a lawn conditioner) rather than just throwing them in the garbage.
Designing an eco-friendly kitchen may sound like a challenging job, but all it really takes is some creative thinking, paying attention to details, and making eco-conscious decisions in order to preserve our environment.
