We all need to take some responsibility in protecting the environment from the detrimental effects of day-to-day life. Minimising our carbon footprint and reducing our use of toxins will help protect the planet.
With Herbert William kitchen design Romsey, you can be mindful of your environmental impact and still create a space that is functional, high-quality, and every bit as warm and welcoming as a traditional kitchen. We’ll cover how to design an environmentally friendly kitchen.
The kitchen design industry has come a long way in recent years and now has a strong focus on environmental concerns, including the use of sustainable materials, the manufacturing of low energy appliances, and the use of environmentally friendly finishing options and accessories.
In this article, we are going to focus on three key ways that we can help you design an eco-friendly kitchen that suits your tastes and budget.
Choosing environmentally friendly materials
Because of their durability and resistance to damage, some materials are better for the environment than others are. For example, stainless steel is an excellent choice of material for various products. It lasts a long time and is recyclable. Many of our suppliers make use of stainless steel.
One of our favourite appliances that makes use of stainless steel is the KAELO integrated wine cooler, which has a stainless steel finish, uses less energy than a 60-watt lightbulb, and is safe for the family, as it doesn’t generate CFCs as the older styles of refrigeration did.
Using high-quality materials means your new kitchen will last for years. This naturally reduces its environmental impact because the kitchen won’t need replacing as often as a lower-quality kitchen would need replacing. So it makes sense to buy smart than buy twice!
Even your kitchen counter can be environmentally friendly. The Eco by Consentino, sold by our supplier, Landford Stone, is a fantastic example. They use 75%-recycled materials and it is every bit as attractive as the rest of their collection.
Other examples of environmentally friendly materials include features made from wood, such as cabinets and countertops, which we can source from suppliers that use sustainable stock. A tip is to look out for Wood certified by FSC (The Forest Stewardship Council).
When choosing your paint look to avoid paints with VOCs (chemicals) – we recommend Little Greene Co. as they offer water Paints that have virtually no VOCs.
Choosing environmentally friendly appliances
Your choice of appliances is where your environmentally friendly Kitchen could really come into its own. Many high-end manufacturers are taking a clear interest in the environmental impact of their products.
There are too many products to mention, but here are some of our highlights:
- The Milano XG Dual Fuel Range Cooker – not only is it rated “A” for energy efficiency, it also has tripled glazed doors, a programmable timer, and precision temperature control, so very little energy is lost during cooking time.
- The Miele panoramic induction hob: induction cooking is one of the least energy consumptive cooking methods. The warming drawer is also a nice bonus and even comes in a stainless steel option. Pop into our showroom to see an example of this product.
- AGA cookers are made of 70% recycled material.
- The Fisher and Paykel dish
The Fisher and Paykel dishwasher draws help keep open plan kitchens tidy. drawers are A++ rated for energy efficiency. Made from stainless steel, not only is this dishwasher environmentally friendly, but it also features two independent drawers making it an excellent choice for those of you who love to host dinner parties – there’s more than enough space to wash everything at once! They also carefully select their materials, and aim to improve their production and manufacturing methods to create less waste. The company opened its own appliance recycling operation nearly two decades ago, and launched a program called “Take Back” which offered free collection of working but unwanted refrigeration units to be recycled, instead of thrown away.
- The Quooker Tap is always a firm favourite with our customers and a great addition to any kitchen. Offering boiling water literally on tap, not only is it incredibly convenient (you can use it to cook pasta, boil eggs, make filtered coffee, clean the dishes, etc.), it also helps to save energy and water consumption when compared to other boiling methods.
This is just a small sample of the energy efficient appliances we can install in your kitchen. Come and speak to our friendly kitchen designers in Romsey to learn more about how to design an environmentally friendly kitchen.
Choosing environmentally friendly accessories and finishing touches
Good kitchen design pays attention to the little things as much as the big things. The finishing flourishes really tie a kitchen together. And we don’t neglect the finer details at Herbert William.
With a variety of choices in colour temperature, LED lighting is a fantastic way to create ambience and to set the mood (whatever that might be), whilst using minimal energy.
Making use of plants in your kitchen not only creates a more wholesome feel to your interior design, but they also help to clean the air and save energy. You can even consider adding a “living wall” and growing your herbs right in the kitchen. Alongside the Falmec hood extraction fan (a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, concealed, extraction fan) your kitchen will feel clean and fresh.
If you’d like to learn more about our kitchen design and installation service, please get in touch and arrange a visit to our kitchen showroom. We will help you create your dream kitchen – a kitchen that is elegant, welcoming, and eco-friendly.