Your Checklist for An Eco-Friendly Kitchen Upgrade

Are you eco-conscious and looking to upgrade your kitchen? There are many things you’ll need to consider before taking on an eco-friendly kitchen upgrade. You may not be sure where to start, so here’s a checklist to help you out.

1. Downsize
One of the first things to consider when upgrading your kitchen is downsizing. You’ll need to look first at what you already have. Are there any appliances, furniture pieces or cooking equipment that you don’t use or need? If so, consider selling or donating them to save space. 

2. What can you keep?
One of the most important aspects of going green is to try and reduce waste as much as possible. When it comes to a kitchen upgrade, this means only replacing what you need and keeping as much as you can. 

Look for opportunities to refurbish rather than replace. For example with cabinetry, sometimes just repainting and adding new handles/knobs is enough to make them feel new. The same goes with furniture such as chairs. There are a variety of creative ways to paint, reupholster or alter them to make them feel fresh.

3. What can you recycle?
For anything that you are replacing, try to use recycled materials as much as possible. Things like flooring, sinks and windows can be recycled or constructed from eco-friendly materials. Consult with experts to help you find the right materials, especially if you’re doing a full remodel. It’s really important to choose sustainable products and materials that won’t need to be replaced every few years. Consider buying furniture second-hand or refurbishing your old pieces. 

4. Use eco-friendly appliances
If you’re replacing appliances, you’ll want to look at energy-efficient options. This helps save energy and water, as well as reducing carbon emissions. It will also save you money on your electricity bill. 

You could invest in smart technology and internet-connected appliances. This includes things like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and other cooking gadgets. Many smart devices allow temperature control, power-saving modes and let you turn devices off remotely. Using smart technology to control things like heating and lighting can also be an effective way to save energy.

5. Conserve water
Water conservation is another thing to consider when upgrading to a sustainable kitchen. If you’re getting a dishwasher, do your research first to make sure that it’s both water and energy efficient. Changing your taps can also help conserve water. This can be done with a sensor tap, or by using a flow restrictor or aerator to reduce water flow. 

Image Source: Pexels

6. Lighting
Upgrading your kitchen lighting to be eco-friendly is as simple as changing the bulbs. LED light bulbs last longer and use less energy than traditional or halogen bulbs. This is also where you can utilise smart technology. Some smart systems will allow you to remotely turn off lights or program them to turn on and off at specific times. 

7. Adapt an eco-friendly lifestyle
Upgrading to a sustainable kitchen is just the first step. The upgrade should be a way of providing you what you need to support an eco-friendly lifestyle. It’s not just about switching to eco-friendly lights or water taps. These things will be much more effective if you’re being conscious of how you’re using resources like power and water. Consider other ways to reduce waste such as composting and going plastic-free. Also look into using eco-friendly cleaning products in your kitchen. 

The kitchen is a huge part of our daily lives. This is why going eco-friendly is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Whether you’re doing a full remodel or just upgrading a few pieces, it’s important to do your research. Find out what the best options are for your home to create a sustainable kitchen. 

Author bio:

During her spare time, Harper’s passion for writing extends beyond her workspace to her other passion – baking! To get in touch with Harper, head over to her Tumblr page!