How to Design an Eco-Friendly Kitchen

Though going green in the kitchen will save you money on energy costs, eco-friendly products have a reputation for being expensive, frumpy and difficult to find.

The good news: Earth-friendly products are available in a wider range of styles and costs than ever before, so you can go any shade of green you desire.

According to www.cnn.com, although a total green rebuild would cost 20 percent to 30 percent more, you can still get results by spending less, often as little as 2 percent to 4 percent over standard construction.

"You can make a kitchen somewhat green with no extra expense or difficulty," agrees Scott Martin, the founder of Blue Plum Design, a kitchen design firm in San Francisco that specializes in green kitchen renovations.