After using your kitchen for so many years, it is getting worn out and your needs may have changed. You may feel the kitchen is not functioning as well or the traffic flow is less ideal. You may be thinking of a major kitchen remodel.
Especially with the trend of open floor plan with the kitchen connecting to family room so that you can watch your children play or do their homework. Or when you have guests you can converse with them easily without everyone crowding the kitchen. Some may still like to work in the kitchen with little disruption while guests entertain themselves in other parts of the house.
Choose a design you feel that works best for you. Remodel your kitchen with health, comfort, energy saving and water conservation in mind. The result will please you, your family and good for our planet.
If a major remodel is too overwhelming, you can do a portion and add to it later by planning carefully. You may want to consider the following.
- Replace old refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven with ENERGY STAR or better yet, ENERGY STAR Most Efficient, labeled models.
- Replace old faucets with water conserving WaterSense labeled models.
- Switch from incandescent lighting with energy efficient CFL or LED lighting. If installing recessed lighting, choose IC (Insulation Certified) rated fixtures.
- Install range hood venting to the outside to remove exhaust fume and moisture from all the cooking.
- Install cabinets with sustainably harvested wood (FSC) or bamboo. Make sure cabinets boxes are made of zero or low level of formaldehyde if they are not made in California.
- Install countertops with recycled or sustainable materials.
- Install flooring and furnishings made from sustainably harvested wood, reclaimed wood, or recycled content materials.
- Use zero or low-VOC paints, primers, stains and varnishes for cabinets to reduce chemical pollutions in your home.
- Install a built-in recycle center for conveniently separating recycle materials, composting materials from trash.
