How to Design an Energy-Efficient Kitchen Renovation

Construction & Contractors Blog

If you're passionate about helping the Earth, you'll want to factor eco-friendliness into your new kitchen renovation. Here are three 'green' tips that will help you design a kitchen that's as good for the environment as it is for you and your family.

Maximise Natural Light

A great way to be more eco-friendly is to reduce your energy use. Kitchens can have some of the highest energy use levels in any home because of all the appliances you use to cook. One of the best ways to reduce energy usage is to stop relying on artificial light and maximise natural light instead. There are many home renovation options for increasing the natural light that comes into your kitchen. The most obvious is to have more or larger windows installed; this is also often the most effective if your kitchen faces the sunlight. You could also switch to glass doors if your kitchen has an exterior exit, or install a skylight if your roof allows it. Another option is to use bright, reflective finishes in the décor—think white walls, gloss cabinets, and polished worktops. These will take the light coming into your kitchen and make it appear stronger.

Install Recycling Facilities

Single-use food packaging has a big impact on the environment—especially the plastic variety. You can help to reduce this impact by recycling as much of your kitchen waste as possible. Of course, when sorting recycling becomes too much of a chore, you're far less likely to keep up with it. If you want to encourage yourself to recycle more, consider having built-in recycling bins installed as part of your kitchen renovation. By fitting your recycling bins into a cabinet, you'll be able to quickly and easily recycle without needing to sort through your trash or take up floor space with numerous bins. For the best impact on the environment, get a built-in food waste bin, too. While food waste is biodegradable, it produces harmful greenhouse gases when it breaks down in a landfill. Recycling it separately allows it to be turned into fertiliser and renewable energy sources. Remember to choose a cabinet close to your food prep area to save you time and effort.

Use Green Cabinet Materials

Cabinetry is one of the most important parts of any kitchen, storing all your utensils to keep your kitchen usable and attractive. Unfortunately, many traditional cabinet materials aren't great for the environment. When planning your renovation, try to opt for eco-friendly cabinet materials. Use a frame that's free from atmosphere-harming compounds like formaldehyde, then finish with sustainably-harvested wood doors that won't contribute to deforestation. Make sure you also use organic or low-VOC paints as well as non-toxic joining glue.

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3 September 2019

Home Construction Ideas that Bring the Outdoors Indoors

If you're thinking about bringing elements of the outdoors into your home but you don't know how to go about it, you've come to the right place. I'm Betty, and I've been in the unfortunately predicament of having severe hay fever and allergies for much of my life. I got sick of loading myself up with anti-histamines just to experience the outdoors everyday, so I decided to look into home additions that would bring that feeling inside where I was safe from pollen. I spent a long time researching solariums, pools, and other constructions, and now I have the home—and life—of my dreams. And now I'm sharing the tips and ideas I've learned with you!