I think we can all agree that the kitchen is the heart and soul of a home. The kitchen is a place of cooking of course, but it’s also a gathering place for families. Often, it’s where homework is done, important conversations take place, and the warmth and ambiance of family is shared.

Unfortunately, most modern day kitchens tend to be spaces in our homes that use enormous amounts of energy while creating significant amounts of waste.  The following tips will help you to design your kitchen to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Kitchen Cabinets

When choosing the material for your kitchen cabinets, stay away from plastics or from exotic woods that are not responsibly sourced. Instead, think about refacing your existing cabinets to get the new look.

Countertops

Many countertops are made from non-renewable materials, such as granite or marble. Ecosystems can suffer severe damage from the harvesting of these materials. Instead, go for quartz or Corian. Another option would be to use recycled wood. There are also products made from recycled glass or paper that have recently come to the market.

Lighting

Switch out your old incandescent bulbs for newer LED lights. They’re available in lots of styles and offer different degrees of brightness from warm yellowish light to bright daylight bulbs. LED bulbs cost more initially, but last far longer and use less energy than your old ones. You can also save energy by using dimmer switches to adjust the wattage.

Appliances

Your kitchen is full of appliances, and it seems that there’s always another new one coming out. Try to limit the number of electric appliances to conserve energy.  You might go for a manual can opener instead of electric, and a French press vs. an electric coffee pot. For the appliances you do have, look for ones with Energy Star certifications, especially the refrigerator and dishwasher. An induction cook top will help as it transfers heat directly to your pots and pans and creates less heat in the kitchen.

Kitchen Faucets

While you’re redesigning the kitchen, go with touch free sink faucets. They can minimize water use with the automatic shut off feature.

Flooring

Here again, you can use responsibly sourced flooring materials, or even reclaimed wood products. If you opt for wood floors, the harder the wood, the more it will resist dents and dings.

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, you can trust the professionals at Capitol Design Build . We have been delivering high-end kitchen and bath renovations to property owners from Springfield, VA to Washington, D.C. Our expert designs and quality workmanship have allowed us to earn a sterling reputation for excellence. We treat you like family and your home like our own, and always strive for 100% customer satisfaction. To learn more about our services or to schedule your free design consultation, visit our website or call us at 703-436-2069.