ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN RENOVATIONS – HOW TO COMBINE SUSTAINABILITY AND STYLE!
As sustainability becomes an ever-growing priority for society, more and more homeowners are choosing to incorporate eco-friendly features and materials into their kitchen renovations in Perth.
From lighting to keeping food cold, to the array of cooking appliances we have at our disposal – the kitchen is one of the main culprits for power consumption in our homes, so identifying and applying energy efficient solutions can not only help the environment, but your back pocket too.
Before you launch headfirst into your kitchen renovation plans, there are a few factors you need to consider when it comes to your material and design choices in order to create a space that is kind to the environment.
We have rustled up some of our favourite key elements to keep in mind to help you find that perfect balance between aesthetic appeal and sustainability.
Flooring
A major question in any home renovation (regardless of the room you are remodelling) is; what are your plans for the floor? Obviously the most eco-friendly way of updating your flooring would be to NOT change them at all and just keep the existing surface – especially if it is in overall good condition and not offensive to look at. However, sometimes this is just out of the question as your existing flooring may be damaged, may not suit the design style of your vision, or perhaps it is just plain ugly.
If your floors do need replacing, why not consider bamboo. Bamboo shares a lot of characteristics with hardwood yet is incredibly fast growing, coming to full maturity in just 3-5 years meaning it’s an extremely renewable source material. As an added bonus, bamboo requires very little maintenance and can last a long time if looked after – making it a valuable addition to your eco-friendly kitchen.
Quartz
Silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2) – or quartz as we commonly know it, is one of nature’s most durable and abundant minerals. Found almost everywhere on the earth’s surface, its long-lasting durability and the fact that it is stain, scratch and heat-resistant and entirely non-toxic, makes the choice to consider a stone benchtop for your kitchen renovation a bit of a no-brainer. Another perk to selecting engineered stone for your home is the large range of colours available, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice style whilst doing your bit for the environment.
Lighting & Appliances
It’s also important to consider your power consumption and lighting requirements, and embrace energy-efficient lighting, fixtures and appliances. Energy efficiency is a growing concern for our environment and power bills alike. Consider adding dimmer switches to lights so you can control the wattage. Also, replace bulbs with energy-efficient LED alternatives wherever possible. They might be slightly more expensive to buy, but you will ultimately reclaim the cost by limiting your household’s energy consumption.
Maybe it’s time to upgrade your old appliances too – to something a bit kinder on the power-grid. Ensure your fridge, freezer and dishwasher are all of the highest energy rating you can afford and be mindful when it comes to gimmicky appliances that use heating elements for preparing food – consider ditching the novelty popcorn machine or microwave egg cooker, and switch to making your own in a saucepan on the stove. All these little things add up to big differences over time.
If you’d like to speak to one of our designers about environmentally-friendly options for your kitchen renovation, give us a call today on 1300 270 000. From the initial discussion right the way through to after-sales care, The Maker will ensure your project is an enjoyable experience. The Maker is Western Australia’s most awarded kitchen design and manufacturer focused on providing quality customer service and innovative designs, with a wealth of experience in a number of different design styles.
