If you are planning on renovating your home and want to make sure you do it in a mindful way, that is both fabulous and eco-friendly- then read on. There are lots of nifty ways to renovate your home in an environmentally friendly way. But, how exactly do you renovate your home and make it eco-friendly and stylish, you ask? In this post, we share 10 fabulous eco-friendly ways to renovate your home.
1. Instal LED Overhead Lighting
If you are completing bathroom renovations, you should ensure that you receive the correct lighting. There are numerous lighting options to explore, but some of the best include LED overhead lighting. A big benefit of LEDs is that they are highly eco-friendly and only use low levels of power. So, you won’t need to worry about your energy bill going through the roof. They also provide a fresh and bright aesthetic.
2. Paint with low-VOC or VOC-free paint
“VOC” is short for volatile organic compounds that release harmful molecules into the air. Opt for eco-friendly paint options to keep your family healthy. VOC’s can end up with you and the household incurring long-term detrimental health effects! Using VOC-free products like paint will help you breathe easier and stay healthier at home.
Related Post: Frenchic Eco-Friendly Paint Founder Pam Gruhn Interview
3. Plant A Living Roof
Typically living roof tops or green walls are made using hardy succulents, wildflowers, varieties of grass and herbs that can handle longer period without water. The plants are grown on a waterproof membrane that provides drainage, insulation, and filtering. This results in stunning self-sustaining living architectural features that bring natural beauty and cleaner air to urban buildings. You could try on the roof of your shed, summer house or house.
Related Post: 4 Green Features for Today’s Eco-Friendly Luxury Homes
4. Choose A Renewable Energy Supplier
One of the easiest eco-upgrades you can make is switching to a renewable green energy supplier like Bulb. Switching is super easy, just fill in your details on the website and Bulb will manage the switching process for you. Once you are signed up, you can relax and enjoy the feeling of knowing that any energy that your house does consume. At Fabulous H.Q we have found that switching to Bulb has been very cost-effective too.
Related Post: 5 Energy Saving Tips For Creating An Eco-Friendly House
5. Opt For Sustainably Sourced Wood Furniture And Fittings
Expert Susan Inglis explains that “furniture is the #3 user of the wood resource globally, behind construction and paper. Since healthy and growing forests are crucial to our fight against global warming, it is especially important to know that the wood was legally logged from well managed forests or plantations, or is reclaimed. Look for certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council.” Try sourcing handmade furniture locally and asking about the origins of the wood used to make it.
Related Post: Talking Eco-Furniture with Susan Inglis- Executive Director of the Sustainable Furnishings Council
6. Add Solar Panels
You might also want to consider investing in solar panels. These can be a great choice because they will ensure that your home stays green and they’ll still add the value that you want. It’s fair to say that solar panels are one of the most sought after features by buyers on the market. They’ll be keen to invest in a home with solar panels because this is definitely the tech of the future. Solar panels are affordable and you can earn back what you invest in just two years after installing them on your property. You can also get charging stations which means that you won’t need to use the energy they make immediately.
7. Choose Reclaimed Doors
If you need to fit a new door, you can shop for reclaimed and recycled windows and doors. Getting reclaimed items can look like new or become a statement piece. All are 100% environment-friendly. Reclaimed items can be a fabulous way to add character to your property, with stained glass or period features.
8. Buy Pre-Owned Household Items
If you want to furnish your home, avoid buying something new. There are a number of ways you can get furniture more sustainably than shopping with the big brands. One of the cheapest eco-friendly ways is to find an antique or preloved furniture dealer near you, or perhaps an architectural salvage company.
Related Post: 4 Sustainable Home Decor Tips For The Conscious Home
9. Choose Green Flooring
Some types of flooring can contaminate the air by producing VOCs as mentioned previously. Instead of installing toxic flooring, go for eco-friendly flooring made from natural- fibres and wood which are derived from durable renewable resources. Carpet made from reeds and grass is also available as well as flooring tiles made from stone, hardwood, ceramic, and bamboo. Not only do they look great, they are healthier for you and the planet.
Related Post: 7 Eco-Friendly Home Improvements For When Your Moving House
10. Introduce Biophilic Design Ideas
Finally, you might want to consider adding a biophilic design to your home renovation. If you haven’t heard of this concept before, it’s basically all about ensuring that you let the outside in. You could add plants to your home or a living wall, but that’s not all. You can also choose textures, materials and colours that reflect the natural world outdoors. As well as offering aesthetic benefits, this choice provides practical benefits too. It will cleanse the air in your home and provide a healthier environment.
Looking for eco-friendly ways to renovate your home and being mindful of the environment isn’t all that difficult, if you follow just a handful of these simple renovation tips, you’ll be well along your way.
