How to plan a sustainable kitchen

From using local produce to avoiding food waste, there are many ways to be more sustainable in the kitchen. Sustainable thinking can also be applied to kitchen design: whether you are looking to plan a completely new kitchen or are looking for ways to upgrade your old kitchen, we have some tips and ideas to make it more sustainable.

Materials

Could you upcycle your existing furniture to create a fresh new look? Sometimes the existing cabinetry can be reused and you could just replace the doors for a fresh new look. You can also integrate sustainable materials in your kitchen by using for example local renewable wood or recycled materials. In our Sustainable Kitchen you see here, we have reused existing steel cabinetry and added fronts made from a combination of birch plywood and an ash face veneer, two woods that originate in Europe, where this particular kitchen was photographed. The use of quality wood gives a well-loved and well-used kitchen much needed longevity.

Energy consumption

When planning a new kitchen and you are including new appliances, look out for energy ratings of the appliances in question. The good news is that appliances have been getting more and more efficient in recent years. In addition to energy ratings, it also pays off to look at the functions of your new appliances.

Which worktop?

Kitchen Worktops in Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire: Quartz - Granite/Marble - Wood – Corian - Glass

Choosing the right surface for your kitchen worktop can be difficult, simply because there are so many different options to choose from. Whether you are installing a new kitchen or upgrading your existing one, Urban Haus Kitchen Design Studio, in the very heart of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire conurbation, can help you choose the right material and install your perfect kitchen worktop. The most widely available types of kitchen worktops are: Granite, Laminate, Wood, Quartz (Silestone), Glass and Corian.

Granite and Marble

Granite and marble worktops are popular choices for kitchens. Granite is available in an extensive range of colours and finishes, which is perfect for those looking for a worktop to match their colour scheme. Granite is resistant to water and robust; but you will need a specialist fabricator to install and you'll find granite can be one of the more expensive options on the market. There are two types of finishes for granite worktops: Pebbled and Veined. Pebbled worktops have tiny dots of colour spread throughout the granite and veined have thin strips of colour running through the stone.Looking for granite worktops in Manchester, call us now.

Marble worktops have a soft beautiful finish and striking designs. Marble is easily recognised due to the prominent veins that run through the stone and is available in around 35 different colours, including white. However, marble is a soft stone and is not scratch resistant nor as durable and long lasting as the granite worktop. Because of this, marble worktops can work out significantly cheaper than granite worktops.

Solid Wood (Timber)

A solid wood worktop can add warmth, elegance and character to your kitchen. Wood has a timeless and rustic beauty that is a perfect choice for both modern and traditional kitchens. Wooden worktops can be customised to suit your individual preferences, as wood is easy to work with and many shapes and designs can be created by an experienced carpenter or joiner, as well as by more mechanised processes. Timber worktops are relatively easy to maintain, repair and install and can last for many years. You will need to treat and oil your timber worktop with the changing of the seasons, but the effort reaps reward through the timeless beauty of wood. At Urban Haus we are proud of our relationship with Spekva from Denmark, who are among the leading producers of wooden worktops in Europe.          

One of Spekva's many creations, sat on a quartz worktop. Two contrasting materials bringing out the beauty and the different features of the other.

Laminate

Laminate is the most affordable choice of kitchen worktop. They are made by wrapping a plastic laminate coating around composite fibreboard, creating a lightweight surface which is hard wearing and open to many designs. The laminate can come in a wide range of colours and designs which can imitate other materials such as wood, quartz and different stones. Laminate offers good scratch resistance and is cheaper to replace in the event of damage than other surfaces. Laminate is also a very hygienic material. Bacteria can hide in the natural grains of wood and tiled worktops and these can build up over time. Laminate is low maintenance, cost effective and offers a free choice for design. However, although scratch resistant, laminate can damage fairly easily through water or heat compared to natural stones such as granite.

Here's one of our recent installations. The concrete style laminate worktop wraps round the drawer units, and a contrasting copper coloured laminate forms the breakfast bar area at the rear.

One of the great benefits of laminate is that the fitter can install on the day the kitchen goes in. No need to wait for template and fabrication off site. What's more, our friends in Germany cut and edge the laminates exactly, so that on-site cutting is kept to a bare minimum, and the fitting process is speeded up significantly.

Quartz (Silestone)

Silestone is a well known brand name for quartz worktops, and at Urban Haus we are proud to offer all the services and products of an Elite Studio. Quartz worktops are man-made with natural quartz which is combined with resins to make a hard wearing surface; similar to granite with smooth, textured, matt and glossy finishes. Quartz worktops are available in an extensive range of colours which gives you freedom of choice when it comes to design and colour schemes for your kitchen. Many people mistake quartz for granite, because they are very similar in terms of appearance but they are not the same. Although both are durable, quartz is less likely to incur scratches and stains due to its stronger surface structure. Quartz is waterproof and non-porous, and this means it is almost impossible for stains to get embedded under the worktop surface. Any liquids that are spilt will not be absorbed, unlike granite. This makes quartz very hygienic and easy to clean. Quartz worktops are more expensive than other materials due to the work involved in the template, fabrication and installation, but the cost is worth it. Quartz worktops are very durable and can look as good as new decades later. This makes them a highly popular choice of worktop for households. Looking for Quartz Worktops Stockport, call us now.

Corian

Corian is a well known brand of solid surface worktop. Corian worktops are made by applying acrylic resin to a composite fibreboard core. They can come in a range of over 100 colours and can be made in any shape or size imaginable, hence the higher price tag. Although they are not as scratch proof as granite or quartz, they are very cheap and easy to repair, as you can simply sand down any scratches or scuffs. Although Corian worktops have some resistance to heat, they do not withstand it as well as granite or quartz. Corian is made from acrylic which is a type of plastic ,so it is never going to withstand high exposure to heat. However, when choosing a worktop, bear in mind that all manufacturers advise against exposing their surfaces to heat. 

You will find often find Corian in the cleanest of environments. It can be moulded , shaped and jointed endlessly, and one of the main features that appeals to health professionals and home owners alike is that a Corian surface can be completely seamless. There is no opportunity for bacteria and germs to hide in the usual nooks and crannies of the kitchens worktop. At the Urban Haus studio you can see for yourself the range of colours and the practicality offered by choosing a Corian worktop. We are Corian Home design Partner.

This sink is made from Corian, and forms a seamless whole within the worktop itself. The ultimate in hygiene.

The only limits to Corian are those of your imagination.

Here at Urban Haus Kitchen Design Studio, at the heart of Manchester, Cheshire and Stockport, we have an extensive selection of Granite, Marble, Wood, Laminate, Silestone, Corian worktops available. We are an Elite Studio specialising in Silestone and a Home Design Partner with Corian DuPont. We pride ourselves on being both a retailer and installer of Spekva wooden products. We have spent years ensuring that our partners in the supply of worktops and splashbacks offer the same level of care and attention to detail as we demand of ourselves.

If you have any questions about any of our worktops, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit our Stockport showroom at Urban Haus Kitchen Design. Our friendly team will be happy to help! 

Ballerina Kitchens at Urban Haus Design Studio

Ballerina Küchen is our award winning, premium, modern kitchen range.

They have been been awarded 1st Place in a nationwide survey of over 1000 German kitchen retail specialists. Ballerina Küchen offer genuine quality, beauty and innovative design. As an elite brand it has become a household German name and has consistently won some of Germany’s most prestigious design awards.

Through consistent investment in technology and people at their factory in Rödinghausen, Ballerina have developed a well earned reputation for quality kitchens that are built to last. Ballerina deliver exclusive, practical, functional and contemporary designs that accentuate your own style and individuality. Here at Urban Haus Design Studio, serving the Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire areas, we specialise in the design and installation of kitchens from Ballerina, and are proud to be their only dealer in our area.

An aerial view of the Ballerina factory in Northern Germany. Learn more about the Ballerina philosophy, the investment in apprenticeships and logistics, the links with universities, the Ballerina influence around the world.

There are many reasons to choose Ballerina for your home. All of our ranges offer a high level of moisture and scratch resistance and provide a wide range of door finishes, such as lacquers, glass and wood veneers. Worktops and surfaces are beautifully finished and come in hundreds of colours, and a variety of finishes. Smart Glass is an elegant and practical addition to our ranges, making worktops, doors and surfaces scratch-resistant, shock-resistant and easy to clean; thus making them very hygienic. Carcasses are available in a variety of different heights with 26 different decors inside and outside, and with decorative coatings and a smooth finish. Runner systems are practical and smooth. All the drawer units and AGANTIS Select pull out units are fitted with a full extension and stop-close damping. The runner system is also available as a BLUM box system. The box system has straight, clearly defined lines, and a simple frame design for ease of use. The side walls of the frame are straight and slim, with a thickness of just 12.8mm. There are a host of beautiful features, including niche rear panels and chrome metal interiors, giving your kitchen elegance and individuality. A complete set of factory fitted LED lights can set the theme and mood within your kitchen, with adjustable colour temperature and a choice of warm lighting or cold white. There is a further choice of built-in spotlights, glass edge luminaires, Vela sub-luminaires or a niche luminaire. Each lighting option is elegant and stylish with a dimming option to suit your needs. To cut this part of the Ballerina story short, there are a host of reasons to choose Ballerina Küchen. Ballerina have even been so helpful as to list 25 of them.

Accessibilty...

Design is about more than creating beauty though. Ballerina Küchen have invested in space-saving solutions, such as sliding doors, flap fittings and bevelled washing zones. Bevelled washing zones are an intelligent solution for those with mobility problems or who require walking aids or wheelchairs, as they allow you to wash your hands or do the dishes with a space for sitting or a standing aid. The beauty of Ballerina is now available to all. No restrictions apply.

The award winning Y kitchen...

The Y kitchen by Ballerina Küchen is an award winning advance in kitchen design technology. The Y design turns your kitchen into a central communication platform which makes it easy to navigate between sections. It makes organisation and communication simple and economical. First presented at the the LivingKitchen 2017 trade fair, the Y kitchen impressed many people and it was a big hit.

Ballerina Küchen is the premium choice for modern German kitchens, delivering quality and innovative design in a stylish, contemporary kitchen. Only the highest quality materials are used and the factory employ cutting edge production techniques, but Ballerina remains an affordable option within the German kitchen sector. They are recognised internationally for their quality of production and innovative engineering, and from the construction of the carcass to the finish on the door, every aspect of your kitchen brings you a little closer to perfection.  The devil really is in the smallest of details.

If you would like to find out more about Ballerina Küchen, then please do not hesitate to contact the team here at Urban Haus Design Studio. We can provide you with all the information and advice you need, as well as a free design service. You can also visit our showroom here in Stockport, Cheshire, and see the Ballerina Küchen range in all its beauty.