Non-Toxic and Cruelty-Free Kitchen Trends

For years, minimalism dominated design. But in 2023, bright colors are returning to the kitchen. You want to feel excited to cook when you walk into your kitchen, and drab, muted colors lack the inspiration that brighter shades can provide. Spruce up your kitchen with a daring color palette using cruelty-free paint. Cruelty-free paints don’t use animal products or test on animals. Unfortunately, animal testing is still a common practice for many major companies. Testing on animals is highly harmful and even deadly, so more companies are shifting away from this type of testing.

Most paints also contain toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are manufactured chemicals that pollute the air and can affect your health. The last thing you want is to inhale chemicals while you cook, so be sure to use non-toxic paint and sealer when adding splashes of color to your kitchen.

While sleek and modern has been the chosen design style for years, antique furniture is returning. Well-loved antiques can bring life, and a story, into your kitchen. Compared to mass-produced furniture, vintage pieces are easier to come by, thus making them a unique addition to your home. Antique furniture is typically more durable than modern pieces, and by thrifting vintage, you’ll be saving them from piling up in a landfill.

When buying new furniture, such as chairs and tables, for your kitchen, avoid pieces with toxic chemicals. Lead paint was commonly used before 1978, so it’s possible that old furniture could contain it. Be sure to test for any trace of lead in antique furniture before you buy it. Although it may take some time, finding antique pieces built using natural, non-toxic materials is possible and worth it.

Many of these trends can be an inexpensive addition to your kitchen. Minor upgrades to your space can make a huge difference. But if you plan on making more significant updates to your kitchen, you will need additional financing. Start by creating a budget for renovating your kitchen. If you can, save enough money to cover the costs or allocate funds from your savings toward future upgrades.

However, you may need more than saving money or withdrawing from your savings, so you may need to consider borrowing money for these projects. One option is to utilize your home’s equity to help fund your kitchen renovations with cash-out refinancing. If your home has increased in value, your equity has likely increased. The money from your equity can be used for anything, including improvements to your home and other sustainable projects you might want to start.

Your kitchen should reflect who you are, not just what’s trendy. Trends are constantly changing, so sticking to your vision while refreshing your space is essential. Many people don’t realize the value a stylish kitchen can add to the home, so don’t let yours be boring! Express yourself and highlight your aesthetic in your kitchen, all while keeping it a non-toxic and cruelty-free environment.