Sustainability is a big topic for everyone across the world. What can we do to make ourselves and our homes a little greener?
Creating a more sustainable home can seem daunting at first, but if you break it down room by room, you might find it easier to do and more enjoyable too.
First up, we look at how to create a sustainable kitchen. Whether you’re starting from scratch or are simply looking for fresh ways you make your kitchen a little more environmentally friendly, here are some of our ideas to get you started.
From rethinking where you source your cabinets to making small swaps in your daily routine, a greener kitchen doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Even the tiniest of changes—like what you clean your worktops with or where your food waste ends up—can start to add up. Let’s kick off with one of the simplest and most planet-friendly moves you can make…
Shop pre-loved and ex-display kitchens
Before you start eyeing up shiny new units, take a minute to consider this: thousands of perfectly good kitchens are removed every year, not because they’re broken, but simply because someone fancied a change.
Rather than ending up in a landfill, many of these kitchens can enjoy a second life in another home. That’s where shopping pre-loved comes in.
Choosing a second-hand or ex-display kitchen reduces the demand for new materials and prevents perfectly usable items from being thrown away. It’s a smart way to reduce the environmental footprint of your renovation, especially when considering the energy, water, and resources required to create a brand-new kitchen from scratch.
What’s more, it’s much cheaper than buying new. Sometimes it can be 70% less than the recommended retail price (RRP). Whether it's a full set of cabinets, a tap, or a barely used oven, buying secondhand often means getting more for your money without having to compromise on quality.
Enter Rehome. We offer a wide selection of high-quality, pre-loved, and ex-display kitchens from trusted brands. From designer showrooms to privately owned kitchens in excellent condition, every item is carefully checked before it’s listed.
It’s a win for your wallet and a win for the planet. Explore our selection and see if your dream kitchen is already available.
Think second-hand beyond cabinets
Shopping second-hand isn’t just for kitchen units. Once you’ve found your dream kitchen, there are so many opportunities to give some a second life—and keep perfectly good items out of the landfill, too.
Bar stools, pendant lights, dining chairs, and even vintage crockery can all be found pre-loved. Sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Gumtree are treasure troves of well-made pieces looking for a new home. Charity shops can also be worth a browse to find those one-of-a-kind pieces that will add charm to your home.
Choose sustainable materials
If you’re planning a kitchen update, the materials you choose can make a big difference. Not only in how the space looks, but also in its overall impact on the planet.
Swapping out conventional choices for more sustainable alternatives doesn’t mean sacrificing style or practicality.
Cabinets and worktops
Let’s start with your units. Reclaimed wood is a brilliant choice for cabinetry. It gives timber a second life, reduces demand for virgin materials, and often comes with a weathered finish that adds warmth and charm.
It doesn’t matter if you want a rustic feel or something more polished; reclaimed wood can be cleaned up and customised to fit a wide range of styles.
Worktops? There’s plenty to get excited about here too. Recycled glass surfaces, for example, blend crushed glass with resin to create durable, colour tops that feel unique. You’ll also find composite worktops made with recycled materials like paper, plastics, or even concrete, giving you a great-looking, low-impact alternative to traditional granite or laminate.
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
If your fridge is older than your favourite houseplant, it might be time for an upgrade. Appliances are some of the biggest energy users in the kitchen, so switching to more efficient models is one of the easiest ways to cut your bills and your carbon footprint.
Older appliances weren’t built with today’s energy standards in mind. They tend to use up lots of electricity and water in the instances of washing machines and dishwashers. Upgrading to energy-efficient models can make a big difference to your kitchen’s environmental impact.
When you’re shopping for new items, keep an eye on the high energy ratings. Here our ratings run from A (most efficient) to G (least). While you may pay more upfront for an A-rated appliance, you can bet that the difference will be made up in lower energy bills over time.
Smart appliances might seem like an unnecessary additional cost, but they really can help when it comes to keeping tabs on your energy use. Smart fridges let you know if a door’s been left open, smart dishwashers can run at off-peak times, and some ovens even suggest the most energy-efficient settings for what you’re cooking. It’s all about making your kitchen work in a greener way, without any extra effort from you.
And don’t forget—proper maintenance matters too. Cleaning the coils behind your fridge, descaling your kettle, or keeping the dishwasher filter clean all improve efficiency and extend the life of your appliance too.
Consider reducing your waste
Bins fill up fast in the kitchen – food scraps, packaging, half-forgotten leftovers. But with a few smart swaps and small habit changes, it’s completely possible to cut down what goes in the bin. Saving you money while you’re at it.
Food waste is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially when it ends up in landfill. Composting is a simple way to give your scraps a second life. Peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even paper towels can all go into a compost bin and eventually become nutrient-rich soil for your garden or houseplants.
There are loads of reusable swaps that are kinder to the planet you can make in your kitchen. What’s more, they look a lot better, too. Beeswax strips are a great alternative to cling film. They mould around bowls and sandwiches and can be rinsed and reused. So you can make packed lunches or cover leftovers with ease.
Glass storage containers are a game-changer for a more sustainable kitchen, too. They’re durable, easy to clean, and safe for the microwave or freezer. They’re far superior to plastic tubs, as they don't stain or absorb smells, meaning they’ll last for years.
Meal planning is one of the best ways you can reduce your food waste. Knowing what you’re cooking for the week helps you buy only what you need, use things before they go off, and avoid mystery leftovers lurking at the back of the fridge. Love Food Hate Waste says that rough meal planning can help households waste up to 40% less food.
Buy eco-friendly cleaning products
You don’t need a cupboard full of chemicals to keep your kitchen sparking. In fact, some of the most effective cleaners might already be sitting in your cupboards. Without harsh chemicals and single-use plastic. Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon aren’t just for cooking. They’re a powerful, planet-friendly cleaning trio that can tackle a range of cleaning jobs in the kitchen.
- White vinegar cuts through grime and makes glass shine.
- Baking soda lifts stains, absorbs odours, and makes an excellent scrub.
- Lemon adds antibacterial power and a fresh, citrus scent.
For times when you don't want ready-made products, refill stations are a smart choice. They let you top up the bottles you already have – meaning less plastic waste, less energy used in manufacturing, and a cleaner consciousness all round. Find your nearest zero-waste shop online; check with your local supermarket too; bigger ones now have refill stations.
Use sustainable lighting
Lighting might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re wondering how to create a sustainable kitchen, but it can make a big difference, both in your energy use and how the space feels.
The easiest win is to swap out traditional bulbs for LEDs. They use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer, which means fewer replacements and lower electricity bills over time. LEDs are available in a huge range of tones and styles, so there’s no need to worry about harsh lighting in your room.
If you’re completing a big kitchen revamp, letting more daylight in is a big win. Bigger windows or skylights, or even using lighter fabrics for blinds, can instantly brighten the room and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Strategic design tweaks, like reflective surfaces or lighter wall colours, can also help bounce natural light around the room, making it feel brighter and more open without flicking on a single switch.
A well-lit kitchen isn’t just about energy savings; it makes cooking, reading recipes, and socialising more enjoyable too.
Support local and ethical suppliers
Behind every kitchen product is a supply chain – and choosing who you buy from can be as important as what you’re buying. Supporting local and ethical suppliers is one of the most powerful ways to make your kitchen greener. Buying locally sourced materials and products means fewer miles travelled, less fuel used, and lower carbon emissions overall. It also helps to support small businesses and craftspeople in your area.
Where local isn’t an option, look for companies that are transparent about how and where their products are made. Many brands now focus on sustainability, such as FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, ethical labour practices and waste reduction in manufacturing.
While it might take a little extra research, by choosing to shop thoughtfully, you’re supporting better business practices and investing in a healthier planet.
Ditch disposables where possible
Kitchens are full of single-use items we’ve grown used to: paper towels, cling film, and disposable sponges. But with a few simple swaps, it’s easy to break the habit and reduce your waste.
Start small. Replace paper towels with washable cloths or old tea towels. Look for compostable or plastic-free sponges and scourers made from natural fibres.
Even things like disposable coffee pods, baking parchment, or sandwich bags have reusable alternatives. Not only can they help promote a more sustainable kitchen, but they’ll save you money in the long run, too. Small changes can add up. You don’t have to throw everything out and start again, just replace things as they run out with something more planet-friendly.
Be mindful of water usage
Water might seem like an endless resource, but saving it where we can is just as important as cutting back on the energy or waste. Luckily, the kitchen offers loads of easy wins.
Start by using a washing-up bowl instead of leaving the tap running when you rinse dishes or clean your fruits and vegetables. And if you’ve got a dishwasher, fill it fully before you run it, and choose the eco setting – it uses less water and energy in one go than washing by hand.
Leaky taps are sneaky water wasters, so keep an ear out for drips and fix them quickly. You can also fit a low-flow tap aerator, which helps reduce water usage without affecting pressure.
If you cook pasta or veg, don’t pour the water down the drain – let it cool and use it to water your plants (they’ll love the nutrients). It’s a simple way to reuse what you’ve already got and make your kitchen habits a little greener.
Ready to create your sustainable kitchen?
Knowing how to create a sustainable kitchen isn’t about ripping everything out and starting again. Whether you’re swapping your light bulbs or sourcing a full pre-loved kitchen, it’s about making thoughtful choices – one small step at a time.
From reducing waste to choosing better materials, these changes not only lighten your home’s impact on the planet, they will often save you money and make your kitchen a more enjoyable place to spend time in.
At Rehome, we want to help you make that first or next step. Our carefully curated selection of high-quality pre-loved and ex-display kitchens makes it easy to create a kitchen you’ll love, without the environmental cost of buying new.
Have a browse, get inspired, and see just how beautiful sustainability can be.
