8 steps to an eco-friendly kitchen

These are the 8 keys to make your kitchen more eco friendly:

1. Use energy-saving light bulbs
2. Adjust your heating
3. Install some insulation
4. Invest in energy-efficient appliances
5. Be smart about cleaning
6. Go organic with your sprays and cleaners
7. Grow your own herbs
8. Recycle your kitchen furniture

But maybe you’re looking for a little more than just the summaries. Looking to revamp your home and reduce your carbon footprint? Or perhaps you’re just after feel-good, earth-friendly resolutions for 2015? Whether you’re getting a brand new kitchen from Kitchen Design Centre or just implementing changes in your current home, there are lots of simple ways you can go green.

1. Install energy saving light bulbs
   Throw out those incandescent lights and replace with energy efficient bulbs and save on greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Energy saving bulbs don’t have to be dull. With our clever lighting design and layout ideas, we will ensure your kitchen is a bright and beautiful as you could hope for!
2. Be wise about room temperature
   During the winter months, try turning the heating down by just one degree – it’s not only green, it will save you up to 10% on your energy bills too! Insulation, window design and good flooring will all help to keep your room warm in an earth-friendly way. We can advise on these areas when it comes to your kitchen here at Kitchen Design Centre.
3. Insulate
   According to The Energy Savings Trust insulating cavity walls in a mid-terrace house can save about £95 a year. There’s also loft insulation to consider – which will save you around £140 a year, lagging pipes and boilers, saving about £45 and double glazed windows, saving roughly £70 a year. Simple changes, big differences!
4. Choose energy efficient appliances
   You’ll only get the best of the best when it comes to kitchen gadgets at Kitchen Design Centre; appliances that not only perform well and look good, but ones that are energy efficient too. An A+ rated oven consumes 40% less energy than a B-rated one and gives you savings on your bills too!
5. Change up your cleaning routine
   When it comes to keeping your kitchen and home sparkly and clean, stick to reusable cloths instead of paper towels. Microfiber cloths are a fantastic product and are great at removing stubborn marks and smears, while reusable cloth towels are perfect for all those other kitchen stains.
6. Switch to organic
   Next time you’re at the supermarket, take a closer look at the organic cleaners and sprays as opposed to your normal branded products. There are lots of great choices out there and we can guarantee they certainly have cleaning power.
7. Plant a herb garden
   To make the most of your new appliances, why not go fresh by adding your own herbs to the mix. Tasty, super easy and good for the environment – possibly one of the easiest green switches we’ve covered so far!
8. Donate to second-hand stores
   So you’ve revamped your kitchen but have a whole host of old furniture you’ve resorted to storing in the garage. Why not recycle them instead? Do your bit and donate old items to your local second-hand store.

To talk about your new, eco-friendly designer kitchen, come and visit us at one of our showrooms. We’d love to help you meet your green goals!

What measures have you taken to go green in your home? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens