Starting home renovations could be a rollercoaster of emotions and the thought of merging eco-friendly practices into it might justifiably intensify the pressure you feel.
But don’t worry!
This is because sustainable home design has never been more accessible, and there are plenty of options for every aspect of your project whether big or small.
Choosing becomes easier when sustainability takes precedence in decision-making.
The paint on your walls, the floor beneath your feet, lighting that illuminates your space, appliances buzzing in your kitchen, furniture to relax on, textiles to cozy up with, and even decor that adds personality to your rooms.
Every piece presents an opportunity to make a greener choice.
Then where do you start?
Here are some pearls from experts and a wealth of resources to show you how to create not only a beautiful home but also one that’s good for the earth.
Let’s dive right in and turn this into a sustainable sanctuary for your family while expressing our gratitude towards Mother Earth.
Hire an Accredited Professional
When delving into home renovations, it is easy to get lost in the aesthetics while leaving fine details to professionals. How then can you ensure that such projects aligns with sustainable principles right from the start?
According to Jennifer Jones from Niche Interiors, San Francisco who is credited as a LEED-accredited interior designer; the trick lies in hiring accredited professionals.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED is a rigorous green building program run by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
When choosing architects, interior designers or general contractors consider going for those who have been LEED accredited implying that they understand well what sustainable structures entail.
Install Greener Appliances
If you’re looking forward to greening up your house then starting with kitchens and bathrooms would be ideal places. Use low-flow faucets and low-flush toilets in order not to waste water yet maintain functionality at high levels within bathrooms.
Similarly, during upgrades of appliances like washing machines, go for those whose energy efficiency is very high hence reducing both your carbon footprint and your energy bills.
Also, consider exchanging traditional lights with LED fixtures which save power and have low operating costs over time.
Lisa Carey Moore who is the Director of Buildings at International Living Future Institute in Seattle advises that one must also switch from a gas stove to an induction model in the kitchen.
While heritage gourmet cooking was synonymous with gas stoves, new-wave opinion is that induction hobs are better because they provide precise temperature control and use fewer fossil fuels.
Heat pumps are another preference recommended by Moore as they can efficiently cool your house or heat water using electricity.
This transition from products driven by fossil fuel to electrically-powered alternatives is a significant stride in fighting against carbon emissions and creating more sustainable homes for everyone.
And here is some good news:
The newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act provides tax incentives such as solar panels installation as well as switching to energy efficient electrical appliances, windows, and doors.
Not only are you saving the earth but you’re also making savings out of it. It’s a win-win situation for your pocket and nature.
Use Green Materials and Natural Finishes
For example, if you are looking for building materials for your home, choose those that grow naturally (such as bamboo or cork).
Lisa Carey Moore of the International Living Future Institute suggests that you use ‘healthy’ home products such as hemp, straw, and wood.
It helps to improve indoor air quality, besides avoiding Red List toxins found in most industrial items.
Go for low VOC paint from conscious companies like Clare Paint founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons for walls.
Instead try out an organic clay plaster wall finish by manufacturers like Clayworks, which mixes unfired clays with minerals and natural pigments to produce a sustainable alternative to traditional paint.
Natural fabrics such as cotton or linen make better options for making curtains, upholstery, and bedding for both adults and children.
Hemp has been hailed as one of the world’s most eco-friendly crops because it grows fast and needs very few resources.
Whereas flax fiber which linen is made from is zero waste meaning it can be recycled and hence environmentally friendly.
Another group of people who would be interested in regenerative but eco-friendly interior materials are individuals who love creative decoration. Right now designers make products out of mycelium – this is the fibrous root of renewable mushrooms.
These creations demonstrate how limitless sustainable design can be since you can create a lamp or furniture from mycelium.
So whether you’re remodeling your house or just adding finishing touches during décor embrace regenerative materials plus natural finishes that will not only enhance appearances but also save Mother Nature.
Cut Down Waste
However, reducing waste is not just about following fashion but also part of our lifestyle which we have integrated across several sectors ranging from clothing fashions to home decor.
Therefore consider using a reduce-reuse-recycle theme while planning your redecoration or renovation project.
When renovating a house look at each corner preserving its original features instead of gutting everything down completely. Recover what parts can be reused instead of a total demolition.
Remove the last few coats of paint to bring back original features such as exposed bricks or millwork, which makes the entire space appear more appealing if handled with love and affection. You can either refinish the old hardwood floors or paint them white for a modern Scandinavian look.
Hence, it is recommended that while searching for contractors you should select those who share your sustainability goals and are not afraid to speak up on your behalf.
Remember, refurbishing homes is usually harder than constructing new ones hence it is important to find a team that will minimize waste and maximize reuse.
Take up Do-it-yourself projects that enable you to utilize as many second-hand things as possible prior to purchasing anything else. Explore opportunities with reclaimed wood, recycled crates, and salvaged hardware so as to refresh the appearance of your home.
He advises repurposing floorboards from scrap yards into kitchen storage, using oak laths for cooker hoods, recycling crates into shelves, and old pipes for rails in Lobster and Swan kitchen by Jeska Hearne.
Before buying any new decor stuff, check what you already own at home.
Repaint an outdated china cabinet; make throw pillow covers out of old curtains; turn a wooden dining table into a rustic coffee table – these are just some ideas on how you can repurpose or reimagine existing pieces.
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When you get creative with your belongings rather than throwing them away, you will avoid wastage plus give an exceptional ambiance to your house.
If you can then buy locally
Not just this, but by supporting smaller companies and local artists who have a clear commitment to sustainability, they shall make smart decisions for your apartment and at the same time uplift your community and enhance social justice globally.
Look out for Alabama Sawyer in Birmingham Alabama which clothes beautiful pieces of fallen urban trees into various forms starting from cutting boards to furniture thereby preventing valuable resources from going down the drain.
For those looking for luxury items that are also environmentally friendly you may want to visit The Local Vault which is a consignment marketplace dealing with high-end used furniture and decor sourced from all over the country.
Moreover, mention should be made of such resources as the Small Business Administration’s directory of women- and minority-owned businesses based upon understanding how climate change is much harder on already disadvantaged populations.
It means that in addition to promoting sustainable development, these initiatives bring about empowerment that goes unheard in most conventional business setups.
In conclusion, every conscious purchase we make today will enable us build a tomorrow that is more sustainable as well as all inclusive.