Decorating Your Kitchen Au Naturel

December 5th, 2008 Posted in Kitchen Remodeling Tips

As the recognized center of daily life in a home, the kitchen is a natural for natural materials. Their comforting warmth and environmentally friendly reputation create an aura of welcome in the cooking and entertaining hub. Even on a tight budget, you can add some of these natural eco-friendly touches to your kitchen.

Begin with simple changes: cabinet door and drawer hardware made from materials such as glass, wood or stone; sisal, cotton, or seagrass area rugs at key points; a small herb garden in containers in a sunny window. The use of baskets and pottery for holding fruit, vegetables, and utensils helps to lend a natural touch, as well.

Tie everything together with accents that take their cue from the outdoors: placemats in a floral pattern, one or two small landscapes, a printed bamboo area rug or a favorite heirloom dish adorned with a wheat pattern (hang it on a wall for a decorative touch).

If your makeover budget is a bit broader, consider replacing light fixtures and window coverings. Many lights suitable for the kitchen are available with glass, parchment, or metal shades and are artistically designed to fit a natural theme. Be sure to include energy-efficient bulbs such as low-voltage accent lights and the new softer fluorescent varieties. Investigate window blinds with wood, paper, or bamboo slats or curtains of natural hemp or cotton.

If you have the inclination, (and, of course, more money) you can add natural materials almost literally throughout the kitchen. Countertops, a huge focal point in any kitchen, can be redone in materials such as natural stone (granite, soapstone, and marble), various metals (stainless steel, copper, and zinc), wood, and even concrete (which is manmade, but composed of natural materials). If you can’t afford to replace all countertop surfaces, consider replacing select portions for accent: a wood surface near the cooktop that doubles as a cutting board or a marble top for a kitchen island.

Kitchen floors may also take on a natural touch with hardwood or stone tile. For even more eco-friendliness, look into reclaimed wood floors, or bamboo and cork, which are renewable resources. Or if you can’t afford a whole new floor look at a large bamboo area rug. Be sure that whatever you choose is installed with a water-resistant seal to mitigate spill damage and prolong the life of the floor. Replace old energy-hog appliances with energy-efficient stainless steel versions. Contrary to popular belief, steel appliances do not lend a cold or sterile feel to the kitchen, but rather provide a warm reflection of light that echoes the glow of natural materials.

If you really want to go all out, think about replacing kitchen cabinets, but beware, these can be among the most costly items in the kitchen. Good solid wood cabinetry for an average size kitchen can run in the thousands of dollars. To help contain the cost, replace only the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and keep the original frames and supports. It still won’t be cheap, but it will be less expensive than replacing entire units.

Remember, as beautiful and durable as natural materials are, they often require special care. Be sure to investigate the upkeep of any material you are considering and once you’ve made your choice, follow all manufacturers’ guidelines for maintenance of the product to protect your investment.