Eco-Friendly Kitchens on the Rise

Will you go “green” in your next kitchen remodel? That is the question Kitchens by Renovation Experts wanted answered. We polled nearly 200 people to find out the general consensus on how people feel about remodeling their kitchens using a green approach. An astounding 91 percent of people said, yes, they would go green because green kitchens save more money in the long run. A mere five percent said that they might consider it once they compared green kitchen costs to regular kitchen costs. Trailing closely behind with four percent of the votes was the not-so-popular response of “no” because the up-front costs of a green kitchen are too high.

 

It is true that green kitchen costs may be slightly more expensive up-front, but the long-term effects should definitely be taken into consideration. There are many health, money and environmental benefits to turning your kitchen green. By choosing energy efficient appliances you will be saving a substantial amount of money on both energy and water costs while benefiting the environment as well. When you choose green cabinets, countertops, floors and paints, you are helping to reduce the amount of indoor pollution that can be harmful to the health of you and your family. Because these eco-safe items are made without the harmful gases of your standard kitchen remodeling items, you are increasing indoor air quality and helping the environment at the same time.    

 

So, you know you want to go green, but aren’t sure where to start? Shopping for energy efficient appliances is fairly simple. Just look for the Energy Star label, which guarantees a reduction in energy usage. When shopping for new wood flooring, draw your attention to a type of wood that replenishes in the environment quickly like bamboo, eucalyptus or cork. Selecting your cabinetry can be more of a challenge. Choose a solid wood for health benefits or alternatives to wood. You could also have your cabinets refinished with a non-toxic finish. Recycled glass, paper or hemp countertop or even remnants left over from previous installations are all beneficial to the environment.

 

 

 

Taking a Look at Kitchen Use

With the number of families eating out several times a week rising, Kitchens by Renovation Experts wanted to find out what exactly people are using their kitchens for these days. We conducted a survey with the options of meal preparation, eat-in family dinners, office work space or a combination of all three. The majority of the votes was for a combination of all three with 45 percent, but meal preparation wasn’t trailing too far behind.

 

Forty-three percent of voters said they use their kitchens for meal preparation only. This shows us that people still do cook. From this information we surmise that having a lot of counter space in the kitchen must still be important to people.

 

We found that only 11 percent of voters actually eat family dinners in their kitchens. We do take into consideration that a lot of family dinners might be eaten in the dining room and some kitchens may not have kitchen tables or bar seating. This was a surprising result because with fewer families sitting down at home to eat meals together, we thought there might be a less formal place to eat than in the dining room.

 

The days of sitting down to the kitchen table to do school or office work must be far and few between because a mere one percent of voters said that kitchens are used for work. However, it could be that the people who do work in the kitchen are also the people who use it for meal preparation and family dinners.

Kitchen Remodels Going “Green”

A variety of appliances, countertops, cabinets and floors for your kitchen are available in “green”. These earth-friendly items are becoming more predominate in new kitchens and kitchen remodels these days. Kitchens by Renovation Experts wanted to find out exactly how “green” people are willing to go with their kitchen remodel. We conducted a survey to find out one thing people would do to make their kitchen “green”. They were able to select from energy efficient appliances, “green” cabinets, cork flooring or recycled glass tile countertops.      

 

When you are remodeling your kitchen it is important to remember how much of your home’s energy is really consumed in the kitchen. Think about lighting, cooking, refrigeration and water heating. These energy expenses can really add up. It is no wonder why 60 percent of people voted that they would purchase energy efficient appliances for their next kitchen remodel. These appliances are not only designed to save you money by using less electricity, but they will also save your home water usage as well.

 

Some ecological benefits would be to consider green cabinets, flooring and countertops for your home. These methods for a “green” kitchen were not nearly as popular as the energy efficient appliances. Glass tile counter tops came in second place with 16 percent of the votes, and following close behind was cork flooring with 15 percent. Green cabinets interest people the least with only 9 percent of the votes.

 

Choosing a cork floor rather than a hardwood floor is beneficial to the environment because cork matures about twice as fast hardwoods do. The cork floor is just as attractive and durable as the hardwoods, too. You could also consider bamboo or eucalyptus as a substitute to hardwood. The same goes for cabinets. Another environmentally conscious way to remodel your kitchen would be to simply refinish your existing cabinets. Choosing a glass tile countertop from recycled glass is one earth-friendly solution for new countertops. There is also other attractive materials you can choose from for new countertops like stained concrete or indigenous stone from salvage and remnants.   

Kitchen Lighting for Your Next Remodel

It is a necessity to have good lighting in the kitchen. That is why for your next kitchen remodel you should consider not only the aesthetic appeal of your lighting but also how practical the lighting will be. Kitchens by Renovation Experts conducted a poll to find out what kind of lighting fixtures people prefer. Voters could choose from track lights, under-cabinet lighting, chandeliers or recessed pot lights.

 

Recessed pot lights received the majority of the votes with 42 percent. This type of lighting does provide optimal kitchen lighting, and it creates an attractive ambiance. Installing pot lights alone can dramatically change the appearance of your kitchen. They provide a clean and polished look. Pot lights not only can be arranged to provide great lighting but also to highlight unique qualities or fixtures in the kitchen.

 

Track lights came in second place with 27 percent of the votes. Track lights are ideal to install in your next kitchen remodel because they provide an instant kitchen up-date when replacing old fixtures. Track lights also provide a great source of light for the kitchen. The individual lights can be moved to position the lighting to a specific area that you would like illuminated. These lights are available in many different styles, so you will be sure to find the perfect track lighting to compliment your kitchen.

 

Receiving only 18 percent of the votes was under cabinet lighting. If you have a poorly lit kitchen this type of lighting is an excellent solution for illuminating work surfaces. Simply installing under cabinet lighting allows you to easily see cook books and food preparation. These lights also add a dramatic lighting effect to any kitchen.

 

Coming in last was chandelier lighting with only 13 percent of the votes. Although very attractive, chandelier lights don’t really offer optimal lighting for kitchen spaces. If you chose to use a chandelier as your kitchen’s lighting source it would be a good idea to incorporate other lighting fixtures as well for when you are working. Pot lights or under cabinet lighting would be an ideal companion for your stylish chandelier.

 

 

Kitchen Storage Solutions for Remodels

When remodeling your kitchen it is always important to not only focus on appearance but storage solutions as well. Kitchens by Renovation Experts wanted to find out what kind of storage solutions people have on their minds when it comes to their next kitchen remodel. We gave people the option to choose from lazy Susans, buffets or kitchen hutches and hanging pot racks. People could also choose a combination of all three, which actually received the most votes with 43 percent. This shows us that voters believe the more storage spaces, the better.

The buffet or kitchen hutch is an ideal solution to place on an empty wall to maximize both storage space and decorative appeal in the kitchen. Twenty-two percent of voters feel that the buffet or kitchen hutch would suit their kitchen remodel the best. These furnishings come in many different styles. They can be designed to compliment existing cabinetry or to match a new dinning table. What is ideal about buffets and hutches is that they are made in many different sizes to fit the space required.

Coming in right behind buffet or kitchen hutch, is the ever so popular lazy Susan with 21 percent of the votes. A lazy Susan is a tricky storage solution because it appears to be two small cabinets, but in reality it is actually one larger rotating cabinet. The lazy Susan allows for easier storage than just a regular corner cabinet would because the shelves actually rotate out making it very convenient and ideal.      

Although the hanging pot rack does provide optimal storage space with decorative flare, it seems that this method of storage is not as appealing to many voters. A mere 14 percent of those who voted preferred the hanging pot rack; however, with the bulk of the votes going towards a combination of the storage ideas the hanging pot rack doesn’t necessarily come in last. After all, the hanging storage rack is a great idea for those with minimal kitchen storage space.

Kitchen Windows: Functionality vs. Aesthetics

As with many of the important elements of a room, windows play dual roles in a kitchen. Of course they serve their primary purpose of providing ventilation and light to the room. Aesthetically, they play a large role in the style and design of the kitchen as well. There is a vast array of choices when it comes to selecting the perfect windows for your kitchen during a remodel. Some things to consider: Aluminum, vinyl or wood? Double-hung, casement or sliders? Of course all of these choices have their pros and cons and your needs and budget must be taken into consideration when making the ultimate decision.  

Kitchens by Renovation Experts decided to ask homeowners what type of windows they would prefer to have in their kitchens with the clear preference being vinyl sliding windows with 56 percent of the vote. Casement windows received the next highest vote with 23 percent, while bay windows and awning windows received 17 percent and four percent, respectively. Based on the results of the vote, it appears that readers value practicality, maintenance and ease of use when it comes to selecting windows to adorn their kitchens.  

Here is a rundown of the different options available to you in kitchen windows:  

Your first choice comes in the material for your windows.
·         While wood offers the best insulation, it requires a great deal of maintenance to keep it looking great.
·         Aluminum is the most economical, but may conduct cold, heat and moisture. It can be painted but requires yearly upkeep to maintain the  attractiveness.
·         The final option is vinyl which usually proves to be the most practical. It requires the least maintenance and while it cannot usually be painted, it does normally come in a wide range of colors from which to choose. 

Once you have decided upon a material for the construction of your windows, the biggest decision comes in the following style choices:
·         Double-hung windows are the most common. These slide up and down, but might not be so easy to use when positioned over counters and  sinks.
·         Decorative styles such as bay windows look beautiful and there are many different design options, however, these are not always the most practical for use in a kitchen.
·         Casement windows and awning windows are similar in that they are operated by a crank handle, but casements are hinged on the side while awnings are hinged at the top.
·         Sliding windows operate like sliding doors on a horizontal track. These are extremely easy to operate and are practical for a kitchen, especially over sinks and stove tops.  

Always consider the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics when deciding on important components of a room, such as windows, during a remodel. There are always plenty of wonderful options, but it is vital to think about your needs, budget and lifestyle when making the ultimate decision to ensure that you will be satisfied with your choices in the end.  

Time to Remodel Your Kitchen?

Many homeowners have a list of remodeling jobs they would like to do around the house. Some try to tackle at least one of these projects every year, slowly going through their lists. Others prefer to redo several things in the home at the same. When it comes to the kitchen, many people prefer to give a light makeover, changing out the hardware and putting on a fresh coat of paint, instead of completely redoing the space and losing their cooking area for a short time. 

Kitchens by Renovation Experts decided to check with homeowners to see when they last completely remodeled their kitchens. Poll participants were asked how many years ago it had been since the last remodel. They were able to choose from 1-2 years, 3-5 years, 5+ years or currently remodeling.  

The results show that people tend to wait a while before doing major kitchen remodels, with 43% of poll participants saying it had been at least five years since their last kitchen renovations. Twenty-five percent of people said they are currently doing a remodel, while the remaining 32 percent of the votes were divided pretty evenly between the 1-2 year range and the 3-5 year range. 

Regardless of what stage of remodel your kitchen is currently in, you can count on our website as a resource for helpful information and tips when it comes to remodeling. Our tips from the experts will help you balance the all-important functionality of your kitchen with sharp-looking designs.

Looking at Design: The Kitchen Faucet

Even the smallest elements of a kitchen can help create the look and feel you want in the room. The design and finish of the fixtures, for instance, play a large role in adding the right accent to the kitchen. At Kitchens by Renovation Experts, we decided to take a look at what kind of design home owners prefer to have when it comes to the kitchen faucet. We gave people the option to select from a single handle faucet, a double handle faucet, a pull-out faucet or a wall mount faucet. Homeowners quickly let us know which one of these is their favorite. 

Hands down, the majority of poll participants prefer the convenience of the pull-out spray faucet. Forty-five percent marked this type of kitchen faucet as the one they would most like to have. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a wall mount faucet proved to be the least favorite of them all, receiving only 8 percent of the total votes. 

In between these two extremes were the double handle and single handle faucets. Looking at the results, people tend to prefer the single handle faucet over the double handle faucet. Twenty-eight percent of poll participants selected the single handle faucet versus only 19 percent who chose the double handle faucet.

Cooking Preferences: The Gas vs. Electric Debate Heats Up

When asked what kind of stove they prefer to use, people are often very opinionated. While some people swear by a gas range, others won’t use anything but electric. Kitchens by Renovation Experts made it their goal to find out exactly how many people belong to each of these groups of cooks. We set up our weekly poll to ask the question “If you were doing a kitchen renovation, what type of stove would you choose?” The options were a gas range, a flattop electrical stove, an electrical coil stove, or an antique kitchen wood stove. 

Forty four percent of the responders favored a flat top electrical stove, preferring the easy-clean flat surface, lower price for electricity, and modern technology. This beat out a gas range, but the gas range still has its faithful followers with twenty five percent of the total vote. Many gas stove owners feel that the heat is more reliable heat, the stove is quicker to heat up, and gas provides a wider range of cooking temperatures. 

Electric coil stoves are less popular, with eighteen percent of the vote, but still managed to gain more votes than an antique kitchen wood stove, which garnered only thirteen percent. The two most popular choices are clearly flat top electric and gas ranges, which continue to spark debate over which is most efficient, easier to clean, and more reliable for cooking.

What Type of Kitchen Do You Prefer?

Kitchens by Renovation Experts’ weekly poll asked website visitors what type of kitchen they prefer in their homes this week. With the choice of a luxury kitchen, open concept kitchen, country kitchen and modern kitchen, the clear winner was luxury kitchen with 40% of the total vote. Following this option is an open concept kitchen and a modern kitchen close behind, with 30% and 22% of the vote, respectively. Finally, in last place is a country kitchen, with only 8% of the total vote. 

Luxury and opulence clearly is most important in people’s homes, with specific design features and styles falling behind. Luxury kitchens are clearly desired by many homeowners, which can encompass a variety of styles, designs, and more. Visit our kitchen remodeling website if you want to build a luxury kitchen of your own. 

Of the next three options, an open concept kitchen is the next most desired, indicating people’s preferences for wide, open areas. This is particularly important in a room used as frequently as the kitchen. A small, cramped kitchen is one of the main complaints people have when remodeling their kitchens. 

Modern kitchens also win out over country style kitchens, showing that people want their kitchens and kitchen appliances to be state-of-the-art both in appearance and functionality. The modern look is in style right now, and now is a perfect time to remodel your kitchen. Leave some comments discussing your ideal kitchen below!