How to Create a Stylish, Green Kitchen

ABOVE: The Ekokook by Faltazi Design is a culinary concept based on the idea that, in the near future, people will want to become self-sufficient in their homes. The kitchen makes provision for the storage of fresh produce, water conservation, container gardening, sorting waste, recycling and composting, and has space for energy-saving appliances, too (ekokook.com)

Despite the surge in popularity of eco homes and all manner of green, energy-saving products for the home, there remains a wariness of eco interiors, with the image of a cobbled together scheme, complete with rag rugs, mismatched recycled bits and bobs nailed together, and ugly bright natural paint colours, still jumping to mind for many homeowners out there.

Needless to say, this is not a look you have to end up with for the sake of the environment — there are now plenty of stylish, high-end products available that are kind to the planet. Nowhere does this apply more than in the kitchen market, where everything from units to appliances and worktops to flooring can be super stylish at the same time as eco-friendly.

Another piece of good news for those keen to install an eco-friendly kitchen is that sourcing one should now be no harder than for a regular kitchen. Not only is there a good selection of companies out there specialising solely in green kitchens, but more mainstream suppliers are now offering green ranges and products, too. Most DIY warehouses now sell fairly affordable designs in sustainable timbers, as do more high-end kitchen designers, some of who also offer recycled worktops.

Worktops

There is an enormous range of options when it comes to finding a worktop that will not harm the environment. The popularity of some of the more exotic timbers for worktops has meant a greater use of timbers which are not sustainable. Ideally you should look for a timber that is from a sustainably managed forest. Locally harvested and manufactured timber is another good option, reducing the need for transportation. Using reclaimed timber from a salvage yard is another good idea — you can then have it sawn, prepared and fitted by a joiner or carpenter. Bamboo and rubberwood are currently some of the most popular choices for those with an ecoconscious stance.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, so is highly renewable. Many companies now also offer alternatives to exotic timbers, such as Second Nature, who manufactures a product known as Izari  — a sustainable oak, stained to give the appearance of wenge. Timber is not your only option.

Recycled glass worktops, available in both sheet and tile form, can look stunning, as can recycled reconstituted stone. Terrazzo is a good material to look out for, made from various recycled materials that would otherwise be cluttering up landfill sites. Worktops are also available in recycled plastic and laminates, even paper, glass dust and fly ash — they tend to give a modern, smooth finish and, depending on the quality, have a good resistance to stains.

Appliances

Not only will selecting more energy-efficient appliances be better for the environment, but they will also save you money. They use less power and water than inefficient models, so you should see savings on your energy bills — an energy-efficient fridgefreezer, for example, can save you £35 per year and £350 over its lifetime.

Energy-efficient appliances are easy to spot as they carry labels showing their ratings. Look for the blue Energy Saving Recommended logo, the Energy Star symbol and the EU energy rating label. The EU energy rating label shows an efficiency rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient — an A-rated appliance uses about half the energy of a G-rated one. When it comes to fridge-freezers, choose those that are A++ rated.

But beware — although a huge American-style fridge-freezer may carry an A++ rating, it could still use around 50% more energy than a standard 300-litre model. Another appliance to avoid if possible is the combined washer-dryer, as it is emission heavy, as is the frost-free freezer, which can add 15kg to your CO2 emissions each year.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring, again avoid exotic timbers from non-sustainable sources – a timber carrying the FSC logo is a safe bet – and look at bamboo, reclaimed timber or cork, which has made a comeback recently and has a good resistance to moisture and mildew. Natural linoleum (not to be confused with synthetic vinyl) is a fantastic option. It is made from linseed oil and pine resin – both natural and renewable materials – and is stain- and water-resistant. Look at marmoleum.co.uk and gerflor.co.uk for good ranges.

Units

ABOVE: Second Nature's 'wenge-look' Izari kitchen (sncollection.co.uk; 01325 505539)

Clearly the most eco-friendly option for not just your units, but also anything else in your kitchen – with the exception of old energy-guzzling appliances – is to reuse what you already have. This is actually a very good option when it comes to units.

You might not want to keep shabby, old-fashioned doors and drawer fronts, but if your unit carcasses are still in good condition then it makes sense to reuse them — it will save you money, too. You won’t necessarily have to keep them in the position they are in either, as most can be removed with relatively little fuss and relocated. New doors and worktops can then be added to update the look.

But what if there is no saving your old units, or they do not fit in with your new plans? There are many companies now who specialise in recycled kitchens.

Alongside the reclamation yards – who have some very interesting stock, including complete kitchens on offer, and some great retro styles right out of the
1950s – some companies specialise in crafting new kitchens using reclaimed materials only, resulting in a totally recycled, yet stylish and bespoke kitchen.

If you would prefer something totally brand new, opt for solid wood units – from a sustainable source – over those with a chipboard core, as wood can be sanded and repaired, meaning its lifespan is greater. Unpainted, solid pine kitchens can now be bought for a very reasonable price, too. If you do decide to opt for manmade units, choose those that do not contain formaldehyde.

Five Steps to a Green Kitchen

1. Always look for the FSC logo when buying timber products

2. Scour reclamation yards for old units, flooring, sinks and fittings that can be updated

3. Take a look at what you already have — could your units be reused and updated, for example?

4. Only buy new appliances with an A++ rating

5. Place work areas near sources of natural light to avoid using electric lighting unnecessarily

Further Reading:

• Before and After Design: A Green Makeover
• A Sustainable Self Build in Devon
• Kitchens & Bathrooms: Green Design Ideas