CHIC AND ECO-FRIENDLY IDEAS FOR YOUR KITCHEN

So a complete overhaul is needed? Firstly, can you send your old kitchen to a new home? The likes of Used Kitchen Exchange and The Used Kitchen Company offer a way to sell your kitchen and you may even find your new one with a large range of second-hand and ex-display models available.

Check out the eco credentials of the kitchen suppliers you are interested in. Where do they source their materials from? Make sure all the wood is FSC certified and eco-friendly paint is used. The Main Company is known for making use of reclaimed wood in its designs, noting that repurposing timber not only considers the environment but also introduces history and rustic charm. Sustainable Kitchens sources from responsible suppliers and uses a high-grade strong Birch plywood so it won’t sag or swell over time. Plastic feet are replaced by a wooden plinth made from offcuts and its workshop runs on 100% renewable energy. Zero Kitchens & Interiors meanwhile utilises green byproducts of other industries. The main component is ECOBoard, which is made from agrifibre (agricultural by-product such as straw, tomato vines, cotton stalks and any other seasonal crop waste) that is milled to form flakes, which are then mixed with a formaldehyde-free resin. Rotpunkt designs to reduce carbon emissions at every stage of manufacture, using, for example, a ‘bioboard’ consisting of up to 90% recycled wood .

The longer your kitchen will last the better so go for the best quality you can afford. Opt for a style that can be repainted further down the line so you can spruce it up when needed or completely change the colour scheme. Consider freestanding options that offer greater flexibility – if you need to replace something it can be easier than changing part of a fitted kitchen

Reclaimed floors add character and can look wonderful. Ca’Pietra’s 100- year old reclaimed French terracotta tiles get better with age. Each batch varies slightly in size and colour making your floor unique. Yuri Graphite 90% Recycled Tiles from wallsandfloors.co.uk are made from recycled raw materials, water and minerals, with an eco-friendly manufacturing process. Look for worktops from recycled materials such as glass, which is tough and easy to clean as it is non-porous.

From your cooker and kettle to your fridge and dishwasher, there are greener choices available. An induction hob will be more eco-friendly as it only heats the actual pan area. Dishwashers can be more energy efficient than washing by hand. Choose the most energy efficient appliances. The new simplified energy rating system runs from A to G with A being the best. Smart taps can limit water flow to help reduce consumption, and Grohe’s Cradle to Cradle® certified taps use components that can be broken down and reused at the end of their lifecycle. Boiling water taps mean you only use the water you need each time rather than boiling a whole kettle for a cup of tea. And go for LED lighting, which can use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs.