When talking about sustainability, the first thought is always for the materials being used. This is obviously a very important factor. But, the beauty of using Coohom for designing your new kitchen is that the realistic 3D rendering and electronic scale plans means you can see exactly how your kitchen will look, without the need for tangible paper drawings. It also minimises waste when it comes to building the kitchen, as everything has been designed exactly and is therefore completely accurate.
If sustainability is a key factor when it comes to designing your new kitchen, there are several ways you can be mindful of how you achieve this. And don’t forget to use our designated kitchen design tool to make the job even easier.
Cupboards and worktops
Wood is the most sustainable material there is, being a natural resource which can be re-grown more easily than any other substance. Kitchen cupboards are generally made of some kind of wood composite, but your kitchen worktops could come in a selection of different woods, depending on the effect you want to achieve.
Beech worktops offer a lighter golden hue, which can still look modern, warm and inviting, whereas the likes of oak worktops give a more traditional look to your kitchen. The natural grain of the wood will ensure your kitchen worktop is completely unique to you, as well as being good for the environment and long-lasting.
Sustainable shelving
The same goes for your shelving, with wood the obvious choice – especially if you are choosing wooden worktops rather than laminate ones. For a coherent design choice, opt for the same type of wood throughout your kitchen, or for something more quirky and contemporary, mix it up a bit with different styles, or even paint your shelves with an eco-friendly paint in contrasting colours to complement accents and accessories.
Open shelving is a popular design aspect, putting crockery and cooking utensils on display and within easy reach. When designing your kitchen, factor in how you intend to use your shelves and therefore where the best place is to put them. Sturdy wooden shelving needs to be kept away from heat sources so it won’t warp. If looked after properly, your shelves could last for many years, whatever you put on them.
Dining options
If your kitchen is large enough to incorporate a dining area, you will need to decide if this is a table and chairs, a multi-purpose kitchen island, or a small breakfast bar with a couple of stools. Think about how many people you are likely to need to seat, and whether it is to be a full-on entertaining space or a spot to have a glass of wine and a natter.
Once you have established the purpose of your dining area, you can then choose how to create it. Using salvaged wood or reclaimed materials can ensure sustainable dining furniture rather than mass-produced items that are generally more damaging to the environment and have a much larger carbon footprint.
Eco-friendly appliances
There is no point in designing a sustainable kitchen and then adding appliances which consume large amounts of electricity. Kitchen gadgets are high on wishlists, with ovens, microwaves, washing machines and dishwashers being staples in most kitchens, along with fridges, kettles and toasters. When buying new appliances look for the legal energy efficiency label and go for something A++-rated, where possible.
Appliances that feature the Energy Saving Recommended logo are the most efficient products you can get; which, with gas and electricity bills rising all the time, will save you money as well as saving the planet.
To go really environmentally friendly, there are even some appliances that run off sugarcane, which is a totally renewable plant source, if you want your kitchen to be as fully sustainable as possible.
Fixtures and fittings
Don’t forget the hardware. Whether this is your kitchen sink and taps, an integral draining board and hob, or the knobs for your kitchen cupboards and the brackets for your shelving, keep sustainability in mind. Using a boiling water tap rather than a kettle could save you lots on your energy bills as it reduces consumption. It is also a very handy gadget!
It may be tempting to go for easy-to-find generic fixtures and fittings, but there are alternatives you could consider. Luckily, stainless steel is one of the most sustainable materials out there, and can be recycled many times over, which does make sourcing these items easy and cost-effective. Bronze and copper give a classy look to any kitchen and are also durable and recyclable at the end of their natural lives – or when you want to revamp your kitchen again.
Final thoughts
At Coohom, we can help you to design a kitchen to suit you and your requirements, with the ability to design it from wherever you are and see it in virtual reality. By doing this, you can also choose your materials in advance and decide what works best aesthetically, before sourcing them from sustainable and FSC certified suppliers to create an eco-friendly kitchen that looks as good as it is for the environment.
What Coohom’s Kitchen & Bath Design Offers
● Complete floor planning with a smart AI decorator.
● Lightning-speed photorealistic rendering up to 16K resolution.
● Countless parametric models prepared(cabinets, wardrobes, etc.)
● With immersive AR ability to serve a full 720 virtual tour.
● Auto-generate construction drawings, can edit online and export to DWG/JPG/PDF format.
● Industry 4.0 interface, directly sends design data to CAM platforms.
● Increase efficiency by eliminating manual disassembly, back-and-forth communication, and off-line data exchanges.
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