For many of us, sustainability and eco-friendly choices are becoming more of a priority in all areas of our lives. After all, we know that the choices we make in our homes – from recycling to using eco-friendly cleaning products to reducing food waste – can really help protect our planet from damage. But what about when it comes to making renovations?
The good news is, there are many ways you can build sustainability into a new kitchen or bathroom. An eco-friendly renovation is a great investment not just for your home, but for the health of our planet both now and in years to come. Wouldn’t it feel great to walk into your new room knowing that it’s designed with sustainability in mind?
Build to Last
Sustainability is synonymous with longevity. So, one of the best ways of reducing the environmental impact of your kitchen or bathroom? Make sure that it’s designed to last!
This means designing a durable kitchen or bathroom that can be adapted to changing styles. Whilst it might be tempting to choose the latest interior design trends, it’s important to consider whether they’ll still look fresh and modern in a few years time.
Also, whilst you may try to squeeze your renovation quote down with cheaper hinges, handles and taps, it can end up being costlier in the long run if they need to be replaced sooner.
So, when it comes to these essential elements, invest in the best quality that your budget allows. To reduce wastage and preserve precious natural resources, think about your bathroom or kitchen not just now, but for years to come.
Install Low-flow Devices
Did you know that almost 30% of household water is used in toilets? In fact, some toilets actually guzzle more than 13 litres of water per flush!
The good news is, dual flush toilets – those that have a split flush button giving the user the choice of how much water to use – are much more water efficient.
As well as choosing a dual flush toilet, you can opt to install low-flow devices in showers and taps to save water. This eco-friendly effort when you renovate your bathroom can add up to litres of fresh water being saved every single day.
Choose Energy-efficient Appliances
For an eco-aware kitchen renovation, consider energy-efficient appliances. There are plenty of options available for eco-friendly dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, ovens and washing machines that all consume less energy.
And because artificial lighting accounts for about 15% of average domestic energy bills, you may want to consider including LED lighting in your kitchen renovation. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll also reduce your carbon footprint.
This is because, whilst incandescent bulbs only convert 10% of electrical energy into light and waste the rest as heat, LED lighting requires a lot less power. Not only is this a more energy-efficient choice for lighting, but some can actually last for up to 22 years!
Reface Rather Than Replace
Sometimes being more sustainable means taking a fresh look at your existing kitchen or bathroom. Are there elements that, instead of being destroyed, could be updated or refaced instead of thrown out and replaced?
Updating the doors on your kitchen cupboards whilst keeping the internal structure intact can still totally transform the look and feel of the room. Thoughtful adjustments to the configuration – perhaps adding some drawers or turning two small cupboards into one larger one – can still be made to maximise space.
Refacing doesn’t just prevent unnecessary wastage and preserve natural resources, it can also save you money. With some imagination, you can create a whole new room using the elements that already work for you.
Work With the Space You Have
If you’re doing a total renovation of your kitchen or bathroom, you can carefully assess the room’s features and natural light to make eco-friendly layout choices.
For example, you can place bathroom mirrors close to windows to take advantage of natural light and rely less on electricity. When it comes to the kitchen, keep the refrigerator in a cool spot, ideally away from the windows, the oven, or other sources of heat. This helps maximise the potential of the refrigerator and minimise your energy use.
Expert Advice From Iconic Kitchens and Bathrooms
Here at Iconic Kitchens and Bathrooms, we have over 20 years of experience in making people’s dream renovations become reality. If eco-friendly choices are high on your list of design priorities, we can work together to find the most sustainable solutions without compromising on quality or style.
With expert advice at every stage, we take our clients from the initial consultation and design, right through to the final fitting. You can feel safe in the knowledge that you will have the same person taking care of your project – and prioritising what’s important to you – from beginning to end.
If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen or bathroom, we’d love to chat through your ideas and requirements with you. Get in touch today for a free quote!
