If you’re considering a home transformation, give some thought to options that will be meaningful to you and the Earth. Here are the top five eco-friendly design tips that can make a significant difference to your home, your life, and the planet.
Switch To Solar Power
Traditional electricity depends on fossil fuels, which cause CO2 to be released into the air. You may think you don’t have any other options, but that isn’t the case. You can transform your home in the most eco-friendly way possible by switching to solar power.
- Solar power is the cleanest form of renewable energy.
- The amount of power that can be gained from it is unlimited, it won’t run out until the sun does.
- Its use and production don’t pollute the air.
- The production process also doesn’t contaminate any water sources.
- Having solar power no longer requires investing in solar panels for your roof.
- Community solar projects let you rent your electricity from them at a lower cost.
- You can go solar without any appointments or phone calls, just sign up for free to choose solar at https://www.choosesolar.com.
Use Space Efficiently
Whether you’re building or renting, how you use your available space is important for your daily life and the life of the planet.
- If you’re building a home, only build what you need.
- Extra rooms that no one will spend time in cause unnecessary use of construction material and other resources.
- If you’re already in your home, focus on making the most of the space you have. Decide what actually fits in the space and sell, gift, or donate the rest.
- If you find yourself thinking about getting a storage unit, consider getting rid of whatever you’re thinking of putting in it. The land has to be cleared to build storage units, and if they have electricity, they’re using up a precious resource.
- Consider shelves, cabinets, or other forms of hanging storage to let you make the most out of your space. Wall-mounted storage gives you extra space without cluttering your floor, making the room easier to clean.
Buy Non-Toxic Flooring
Flooring can change the entire look of a home, and it’s a great way to tie a design together. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when picking what goes under your feet.
- Proper insulation under flooring will help keep the temperature regulated in your home and cut down on your energy consumption.
- Eco-friendly flooring is a great way to add value to your home.
- Proper flooring acts as a sound dampener, which is perfect for multi-floor homes.
- Make sure to find out what material your flooring is made from, and whether it’s a sustainable source.
Reduce Waste
This can be applied to all areas, but for now, let’s focus on two.
- Reduce the amount of trash you make in any way you can. Buy food without packaging, don’t use paper products when they can be avoided, and make sure you recycle everything that you can.
- Reduce home decor waste by picking out classic pieces that can be used for years. Vintage or antique pieces are wonderful, but if you have to buy new ones, make sure it’s something you’ll keep for years.
Use Natural Products
All materials come from nature, but some are processed more than others. This is where man-made products, and the pollution they create, come from. Natural products are taken directly from nature, which is better for you and the environment. Now, let’s discuss the key takeaways about natural products.
- Natural materials are better for the planet because they’ll break down over time. This is one of the key differences between natural and man-made materials.
- This may sound counterproductive, but we actually want products to wear out over time.
- Man-made materials are created to be more durable than natural materials, and that’s why they last so long in landfills.
- Natural materials are sustainable when used responsibly. Everything in nature will replenish itself if given enough time.
These five eco-friendly design tips may just be the beginning of your home transformation journey, but they’ll give you an excellent foundation. By designing responsibly, we can all do our part to make sure the planet survives for future generations.