Going Green In The Kitchen and Bath By Reusing

Clients are often worried about staying within their budget when creating a custom house plan that is green, and the kitchen and baths can often be the biggest budget busters. Finding cabinets and counter tops that are affordable and sustainable is sometimes a challenge, but there is one idea that is often overlooked. Reusing kitchens and baths from homes that are being remodeled or knocked down to build a bigger home, and units that are overstocked or someone just changed their mind before installing, can save money and cut down on landfill.

Craigslist - Craigslist is the mecca of getting rid of and finding household goods. The benefit of Craigslist is that you can really negotiate with sellers as they are eager to clear out their homes and garages. You will have to continually monitor the site in order to find what you are looking for, but after furnishing an entire second home I can tell you the deals are amazing.

Green Demolitions - I had the honor to meet the founder of Green Demolitions at the Green East Expo in NYC this past month and I love what this company is doing. Run as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, you can donate your kitchen when you are remodeling or tearing down, and you can also find some fabulous full kitchens at incredible prices to build or remodel your kitchen. They have also expanded now to include bathrooms and appliances.

Antique Stores and Auctions - While you won't often find entire sets of cabinets, you can find some amazing furniture pieces that can be converted to islands or plumbed to be used in your bath. Many auction houses will also be able to let you know of homes that may be on the market to see if upgrades will be made and what they will do with the old materials.

Reusing cabinets in your kitchen or bath can save money and it's incredibly easy to do. Since cabinets generally come in standard sizes they can be rearranged to numerous configurations to fit your needs in your new custom home design. Take the time to look around so you can help the environment while impacting your budget in a positive way.

This post has been submitted by 5 Elements Design, a residential architecture firm that creates small house plans that are eco friendly for families.