Top 4 Eco-friendly Essentials for Renovating Your Home

Renovating your home is one of the most challenging things you can do.

You have to come up with the right design, find the right decor pieces, and make sure the house is as functional as it is aesthetic.

Some people go through all of this only to realize that their house actually wastes a lot of energy and money.

Then the house costs too much to maintain and you’re left with a place you can barely afford. As well as that, it starts contributing to the growing environmental crisis the world is facing today.

Both of these reasons make you wonder what you can do to change things.

Does renovating your home really have to result like this? No, it doesn’t.

If you use these 4 eco-friendly essentials, you create a sustainable and affordable house which you’ll be happy to live in.

As well as that, these essentials might give you an idea on how to decorate your home and which course of action to take. Inspiration can be found everywhere, and there’s no doubt you’ll find it here:

No.1 – Choose materials wisely

Some renovation projects may take more than others.

If you’re planning to do something big, you’re going to need to think of the materials you’re using. Rebuilding and expanding rooms, as well as restorations and other renovation projects, are going to require some manual work.

People think that it doesn’t matter what kind of materials they use here as long as they’re high-quality. What they don’t realize is that just by going local, they could be contributing to saving the world.

As well as supporting your community by using local materials, you should also use wood when possible. This is a natural and biodegradable material that your eco-friendly design will benefit most from. Engineered wood products also work well when renovating. Think of joists, tussles, and other structural members.

The main part is that they’re made from smaller stock. Not only are these products more eco-friendly, but they’re also very stable when it comes to precision and strength.

As well as that, you can look into recycled materials such as wood and plastic. These are called composite materials and they’re very useful for your process. They’re eco-friendly just judging by the fact that they’re recycled. This is especially important for plastic because it takes ages to decompose, thus we should use it every chance we get.

By choosing your materials right, you’ll make sure that your home is eco-friendly inside out. Right from the structure to the decor pieces you use, it will be more sustainable and working towards making the world a better place.

No.2- Go solar

One major change you can make is to go solar.

Using the energy of the sun is more and more popular today, meaning that you won’t have a hard time installing solar panels on your roof.

The basics of eco-friendliness are using renewable energy sources.

By switching to solar power, you’ll be doing just that. In summer and in winter, the panels will be able to collect sunshine and turn it into powerful fuel which will sustain your home.

To find the right solar panels, you’ll need to inspect your roof first. Not all types of roofs are suitable for all types of panels. Don’t worry too much, though, as the most common roof type which most houses have is very suitable for solar panel installation.

This is also one sure way to lower your electricity bill. With solar power, you’ll be able to create enough electricity to last you a while without feeling guilty that you’re using it.

If you’re into DIY, you could even build your own solar and wind power system. This will help you get more personal with the environment and let you see how everything works up close.

As well as that, it can be a valuable lesson on why and how we need to preserve the world around us. Let’s not forget that you’ll also value your power more now that you’ve put so much time and effort into making it work.

All of these effects are achievable even if you hire someone to do the job for you, but are enhanced if you decide to get involved yourself.

No.3 – Choose energy-efficient appliances

Energy-efficiency is a big topic in the eco-friendly world, which is why it’s no wonder that energy-efficient appliances are a must in any eco-friendly home.

You don’t even realize how much energy your washing machine, fridge, and air condition actually waste. Luckily, people around the world have started becoming aware of the wasteful nature of most appliances and have started updating their homes.

In Australia, for example, the emphasis is on air conditioners because of the extreme temperatures the country can reach during summer. Air conditioning in Sydney is marked by the replacement of old air cons with new, more energy-efficient ones. As well as that, people repair their existing AC’s to improve their energy rating.

When your appliances waste energy, they add up the numbers on your bills but also have a negative effect on the environment around you.

Investing in an appliance with a high energy rating might seem like a waste of time, but you have to remember that this is an investment for life.

It’s going towards your home but also towards saving the environment. No price should be too high for that.

No.4 – Go for second-hand decor

Buying new pieces of decor only contributes to old, but functional ones being thrown away and waste dumps filling up more quickly.

There’s nothing wrong with decorating your home with pre-owned decor. You can find a lot of quirky and unique pieces online and at second-hand stores. This will contribute to the one of a kind design that all of us strive to have.

As well as that, you’ll be saving the lives of many different pieces which would otherwise have ended up at the dump. Your home can have an air of old-fashioned elegance about it, you could go for the rustic design, or you can go vintage.

Whatever you decide, you’ll find it fairly easy to find the decor pieces to complete this image and give your home a new shine.

Let’s not forget that decorating with second-hand decor is also much cheaper. If you’re trying to renovate your home on a budget, this is definitely something you should do.

You’ll have a lot more money saved that you can use to improve other aspects of your home and really give the eco-friendly design new meaning.

Don’t be afraid to go beyond pre-owned pieces of decor and move on to furniture, too. Recycled furniture is very in right now, and you can find a lot of modern and appealing pieces for a steal.

Even if the furniture is pre-owned and not made from recycled materials, you can buy it and give it a new home in your home. As long as it’s functional and goes well with your design, it should find its way into your home.

Conclusion

As you can see, the 4 eco-friendly essentials listed above can improve your home like nothing else.

You won’t be living in a place that costs you more to take care of and wastes more energy any longer.

In this day and age, it’s very important to think of eco-friendly solutions in every aspect of your life.

With these essentials, you’ll be on your way to giving back to the world and making it greener. It all starts right now, with you.