Are you interested in making the heart of your home more eco-friendly? Us too! At a time when most of us want to do our bit to help the planet, it’s nice to combine that passion for a better world with the desire for a beautiful and functional kitchen.
If you’re thinking about kitchen renovations, take a look at these five eco-friendly upgrades that are totally worth considering:
1. Move Away From Fossil Fuels
Cooking with gas is great for the grill. For everyday cooking though, you can cut down on your fossil fuel usage by choosing an induction hob instead. There are lots of great induction cookware pieces to pair with it too, giving you a chance to upgrade your cooking tools at the same time.
2. Switch To Sustainable Materials
The cupboards, worktops, and flooring in your kitchen make up a lot of the bulk when it comes to the impact your initial fit has on the environment. If you choose beautiful materials like bamboo, cork, oak, and timber from sustainable sources, you can greatly reduce your environmental impact. Even better, these materials can create a strong, unique, timeless look in your kitchen, so choosing eco doesn’t mean compromising on beautiful aesthetics.
3. Embrace Indoor Growing Spaces
Growing veggies and herbs in your kitchen creates a stunning natural vibe. It also enhances your kitchen’s eco-credentials without too much of an investment at all. Plantlife does this by boosting the air quality in the room. By growing your own edible plants, you can also avoid at least some shop-bought produce and its associated carbon footprint.
One of the easiest ways to start is by growing basil, parsley, and mint in washed-out food cans packed with soil. You could invest more and go for a complete hydroponic set up which will look phenomenal and allow you to grow much more on a long-term basis.
4. Insulate To Save Energy
Over three-quarters of houses in America are under-insulated. Boosting the kitchen insulation could not only help the environment but also save you a bundle on your household bills, making it a real win-win.
To get started, speak to a few experienced companies for quotes and solutions. There might even be some programs or grants available to help you pay for it, depending on your country and local governing body. Doing thorough research will translate to getting the best bang for your buck and the best possible eco-friendly solutions for your home.
5. Choose Low VOC
VOC stands for “Volatile Organic Compounds,” and they can be found inside the paint and varnish you use to decorate your kitchen. The reason they are problematic is that they aren’t exactly great for your health in large volumes. The chemicals can release into the air and cause unwanted symptoms like headaches. Volatile Organic Compounds are bad news for the environment as the fumes can form ozone.
The good news is that you can easily buy varnish and paint that contains low to no VOC. It could cost you a little bit more, but the benefits of better air quality and a reduced impact on the planet are worth the extra expenditure.
“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” – Dr. Thomas Fuller
Starting with the tips above, you should be able to build a picture of the changes you want to make during your renovations. With the right adjustments, you can cultivate a beautiful cooking space for yourself, whilst also keeping the Earth in mind, which is a truly wonderful thing.
