Green kitchens are all the rage these days! With more and more people looking to reduce their environmental impact, green design elements have become incredibly popular for kitchen remodels and new construction alike. Not only are green kitchens better for the planet, they can also be downright gorgeous. At their best, eco-friendly kitchens manage to merge sustainable materials and energy-efficient appliances with beautiful, on-trend aesthetics.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite green kitchens that do just that. These kitchens utilize recycled, reclaimed, and sustainable materials in creative ways. They also incorporate energy-efficient appliances and thoughtful design elements to reduce their environmental footprint. Read on for a healthy dose of kitchen inspiration as we share our editors’ picks for stunning green kitchens.
What Makes a Kitchen “Green”?
Before we dive into the gorgeous green kitchen photos, let’s quickly cover what makes a kitchen eco-friendly in the first place. Here are some of the key features and design elements that improve a kitchen’s sustainability:
Sustainable Materials
Reclaimed wood: Using reclaimed wood for cabinetry, floors, or accents reduces demand for virgin lumber. Salvaged wood adds rustic charm and keeps materials out of landfills.
Recycled glass/plastic: Recycled glass or plastic counters, tiles, and backsplashes boost sustainability. Many companies now make building materials from recycled PET plastic and bottles.
Eco-friendly stone: Choose stone from local quarries to reduce transport miles. Soapstone, limestone, granite, and concrete are good choices.
Cork floors: Made from renewable cork oak trees, cork is naturally antimicrobial and cushioned underfoot.
Bamboo: Quickly renewable bamboo makes for eco-friendly cabinetry or flooring. Opt for formaldehyde-free products.
Energy and Water Conservation
Energy star appliances: Choosing appliances with Energy Star ratings drastically cuts electricity use. Look for refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. with the Energy Star logo.
Induction cooktop: Induction cooktops heat pots and pans directly through magnetic induction, making them 90% more efficient than gas or electric cooktops.
Tankless water heater: Tankless water heaters only heat water on demand, conserving energy by not maintaining a reservoir of hot water.
Low-flow faucets: Installing low-flow faucets and fittings cuts back on water waste. Look for EPA WaterSense labeled products.
Sustainable Design Elements
Natural lighting: Strategic use of skylights and windows maximizes natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
Energy efficient lighting: Swapping out older light bulbs for LEDs cuts lighting power use by 75% or more. LEDs last years longer too.
Recycled counters: Paper composite counters made from recycled paper/resin use waste material diverted from landfills. Richlite and Paperstone are two popular brands.
Zero-VOC finishes: Using zero-VOC stains and finishes improves indoor air quality. Many eco-friendly options are now available.
Non-toxic materials: Avoiding VOCs, formaldehydes, and harmful chemicals in paints, adhesives, and materials creates a healthier indoor environment.
Green Kitchen Ideas We Love
Now that you know what constitutes a green kitchen, let’s check out some gorgeous sustainable kitchen inspiration! The kitchens below include innovative eco-elements along with beautiful design aesthetics.
1. Scandinavian-Style Green Kitchen
This airy green kitchen designed by Reclamation Architecture makes the most of its small space by using clever zero-waste design details. The lighter wood cabinets and open shelving have a minimal Scandinavian vibe, while small touches like the butcher block-topped peninsula, salvaged cabinets, and concrete counters add eco-friendly character. Large windows flood the space with natural light to limit the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Green elements:
- Reclaimed wood cabinets and shelving
- Concrete counters with recycled content
- Natural lighting from ample windows
- Exposed brick backsplash made from the existing structure
2. Nature-Inspired Green Kitchen
Designed by Anthony Michael, this nature-inspired kitchen pairs reused oak floors and cabinets with gorgeous green Moroccan tiles. Touches like the live moss wall, reclaimed wood open shelving, and concrete countertops bring organic vibes into the space. The backsplash’s handmade decorative tiles portray birds, leaves, vines and critters for a sustainable look plucked straight from the forest floor.
Green elements:
- Reclaimed oak floors and cabinets
- Concrete and paper composite countertops
- Handmade recycled glass and ceramic tile backsplash
- Moss wall biofilter improves indoor air quality
- Energy efficient refrigerator and induction cooktop
3. salvaged Materials Green Kitchen
This clever green kitchen makes use of salvaged materials for a vintage industrial look. The Energy Star refrigerator sits within cabinetry made from reclaimed pine pallets and the countertops are crafted from recycled paper. The light pendants are made by hand from old world atlases. Vintage-look subway tiles and zero-VOC paint finish the look.
Green elements:
- Cabinetry made from reclaimed wood pallets
- Recycled paper countertops
- Low-flow sink faucet
- Handmade light fixtures re-using old books and maps
- Reused vintage tiles for backsplash
4. Contemporary Green Kitchen With Pops of Color
This contemporary kitchen pairs clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic with colorful green elements. The EcoSmart refrigerator and low-flow faucet conserve energy and water. The countertops use PaperStone recycled paper composite and the flooring is sustainably sourced bamboo. Fun pops of color come from the citrus mosaic glass backsplash of recycled bottles and the powder coated navy cabinets.
Green elements:
- Paper composite countertops
- Bamboo flooring from renewable sources
- Recycled glass mosaic backsplash
- Energy Star refrigerator
- Low-flow faucet
- Powder coated finishes avoid VOCs
5. Rustic Farmhouse Green Kitchen
This cozy farmhouse-style kitchen includes inventive upcycled elements for character. The countertops use reclaimed pine ceiling joists from an old textile mill. Mismatched cabinets recycled from a school or office building add charm. The backsplash combines reclaimed tin ceiling tiles with turquoise colored glass bottles recycled into tiles. Open shelving, a large farmhouse sink, and pendant lights boost the rustic sustainable style.
Green elements:
- Reclaimed wood countertops from old ceiling joists
- Recycled solid wood cabinets
- Tin ceiling tile and recycled bottle glass backsplash
- Large farmhouse sink conserves water
- LED pendant lighting cuts energy use
6. Craftsman Style Green Kitchen
This gorgeous craftsman-style kitchen pairs classic design with sustainable features. The custom cabinetry uses formaldehyde-free wheatboard made from agricultural waste straw. Countertops are durable PaperStone recycled paper. The backsplash mixes earthy recycled leather tile with handmade decorative metal tile made from recycled copper. Energy Star appliances boost efficiency.
Green elements:
- Wheatboard cabinets use agricultural waste
- PaperStone recycled paper countertops
- Recycled leather and copper backsplash tiles
- Stainless Energy Star refrigerator and dishwasher
- Water-conserving sink and faucet
7. Modern Minimalist Green Kitchen
This sleek modern kitchen takes a minimalist approach to sustainable design. The cabinets combine eco-friendly lyptus wood over a reused cabinet base. Countertops use PaperStone recycled paper composite in deep charcoal grey. The backsplash mixes reflective recycled mirror tiles with textured recycled metal tiles for subtle detail. The sink features a built-in low-flow filter and LEDs light the space.
Green elements:
- Lyptus wood from sustainable forestry
- Recycled cabinet boxes underneath
- Paper composite countertops
- Mixed recycled metal and mirror backsplash
- LED lighting
- Filtered low-flow sink
Do Green Kitchen Features Cost More?
One big question on homeowners’ minds is whether going green costs more. The answer is, it doesn’t have to! Designing an eco-friendly kitchen is often only marginally more expensive than conventional materials. And sustainable kitchens pay off in the long run through energy and water savings. Here are some tips for an affordable green kitchen:
- Use recycled, reclaimed or sustainable materials like bamboo or lyptus wood
- Select Energy Star certified appliances
- Install low-flow faucets and water conserving features
- Use zero-VOC paints and finishes
- Include some DIY elements like reclaimed wood shelves or counters
With creativity, you can design a gorgeous sustainable kitchen without breaking the bank. The small upfront investment often pays dividends down the road in utility bill savings too. Plus, your green kitchen will help conserve natural resources and reduce waste.
FAQs About Green Kitchens
What’s the most sustainable material for kitchen counters?
Recycled paper composite counters like PaperStone, Richlite or Icestone are very eco-friendly options. Concrete, soapstone, or reclaimed wood are also sustainable choices. Quartz made with recycled content is another good option.
Are green kitchens more expensive?
They can be, but don’t need to be with savvy design choices. Opt for some recycled and reclaimed materials or DIY elements to cut costs. Energy efficient upgrades often pay for themselves over time too through utility savings.
How much does a green kitchen remodel cost compared to a conventional kitchen?
An eco-friendly kitchen remodel may cost 5-15% more depending on materials and appliances selected. But sustainable kitchens generally recoup costs faster thanks to energy and water savings from upgrades.
Do green kitchens require more maintenance?
Not necessarily. Most sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled paper counters, eco-friendly stone/quartz, reclaimed wood, cork, etc. have similar care and durability to conventional options. Be sure to check maintenance needs for specific products.
What are the best energy efficient appliances for green kitchens?
Look for the Energy Star label when selecting kitchen appliances. Especially important are the refrigerator, dishwasher and cooktop/range. Also look for induction cooktops and tankless water heaters to maximize efficiency.
Bringing Sustainability Home
As you can see from all the gorgeous examples, green kitchens don’t have to resemble hippie communes! Sleek, modern, farmhouse chic, and everything in between is possible using eco-friendly materials and efficient design. Hopefully these kitchens sparked some ideas on how you can give your own space a sustainable makeover.
The next time your kitchen needs updating, consider going green. Conduct an eco-friendly remodel or incorporate some upcycled design details. Your kitchen will be beautiful, environmentally gentle, and might even save money long-term. Plus, you can feel good knowing your daily coffee ritual or family dinners happen in a space kinder to the planet.