Whenever you design or remodel your kitchen, you can use a number of environmental friendly materials that can enhance the look of your kitchen. These eco-friendly materials are not only cost-effective but also gel with the ambiance of the kitchen. You can use different materials such as recycled glass, bamboo, etc.
Flooring Options
To enhance the look of your kitchen, the different uses of bamboo are startling. Instead of spending a huge amount on buying tiles used for flooring, you can opt for finished bamboo which acts as a great flooring material. Moreover you can add new chairs made of bamboo in the dining area which are aesthetically beautiful and comfortable to use. To cut the various vegetables that you need for cooking, you can use a chopping block that is made of end-grain bamboo. Another great way to implement a sleek and cozy flooring is using cork. This flooring option comes in a variety of styles and designs, and is an efficient way of saving money It is also comfortable for the feet, especially while cooking a long and tiresome meal for guests. Cork being mildew resistant is not affected by changes in temperature and moisture content that is always prevalent in the kitchen area. Cork flooring provides a better grip while walking as compared to tiles which tend to get slippery. Both bamboo and cork flooring do not require much maintenance and can be cleaned with a wet and dry mop.
Use of Reclaimed Wood
Another great alternative for an eco-friendly kitchen is reclaimed wood. Just as most of us use recycled plastic and paper, we can use recycled wood which is salvaged in factories and warehouses. Refinished lumber often produces a firm grain which strengthens the wood. The use of reclaimed wood reduces the cutting of trees and also beautifies our kitchen. We can also refinish the pieces of wood lying in our garages to make cutlery holders instead of going in for new ones.
Using Recycled Glass
Recycled glass tiles are incredibly sturdy and are beautiful to look at. These tiles are made from colorful recycled glass mixed with a base of resin or cement concrete. The hard surface is less likely to chip off as compared to the wooden counterparts. These tiles can be used as counter tops for kitchen cabinets. Stains and grease can easily be removed using a mild detergent.
Apart from the above mentioned materials, you can also implement eco-friendly energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps which reduce consumption of electricity. Using recycled paper baked into thick sheets with resin base can be used as counter tops. These are extremely durable and are heat and scratch resistant. For cabinet doors in kitchens you can either dress up used cabinet doors by using a range of eco-friendly paints or you can use veneers that will give your cabinets a fresh look. You can also use recycled metal sheets for counter tops and sink areas. These metal sheets which come in clear coat finishes are non-toxic and durable.
The awareness of an eco-friendly environment has bought about a radical change in the way materials in kitchen design can be used. Eco-friendly kitchens are slowly but surely becoming popular for their simplistic looks and usage of non-toxic materials.
