kitchen is the heart of the home

The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place for everything from cooking and eating to socializing and entertaining. This guide discusses the considerations involved in orchestrating a green kitchen remodel, so you can create a game plan that works for you.


A kitchen remodel can be complicated and expensive. A 2002 study by the National Association of Realtors pins the cost of a midrange kitchen remodel in Seattle at over $45,000, while an upscale one averages nearly $73,000. So it makes sense to do things right the first time.Fortunately, there are ways to reduce both the cost and complexity of a kitchen renovation, while increasing the room's environmental efficiency and human performance.


Green remodeling requires a new approach to the remodeling process, with more up-front planning and coordination to capture opportunities that are often missed in the conventional remodeling process. This includes expanding your list of objectives as well as the way you compare the price of products and services, by taking wide-angle and long-term views of decisions. It also means being willing to invest time and energy to find solutions that best fit your needs. And finally, it means approaching your remodeling project with health and safety at the forefront. This advance planning pays large dividends in terms of long-term satisfaction with your project and cost containment.


Planning a remodel can elicit equal parts excitement and terror. The choices are endless.Where do you begin? Generally, the more you can stick with existing walls, cabinetry,plumbing and electrical layouts, the less you will spend on your remodel. You'll use fewer resources with less waste. So first, define your priorities and then consider all your options carefully.