Sustainable Living Ideas: Eco-Friendly Home Designs And Trends

If you want to live a more eco-friendly life, there are plenty of home designs and trends you can get on board with. In addition, a lot of people have built daily habits around living a more sustainable life – from simple tasks like recycling to growing vegetables and opting for public transport when possible.

These individual actions might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but they have a cumulative impact, and the more we do as individuals, the more pressure it puts on corporations to follow suit.

In addition to incorporating eco-friendly habits into your daily routine, the choice of locksmith can also play a role in promoting sustainability in your home design. By selecting a locksmith who uses environmentally friendly materials and practices sustainable policies, you can reduce the environmental impact of locksmith services and further enhance the eco-friendliness of your home while also being mindful of locksmith costs.

In terms of your home – some things inevitably fall prey to wear and tear. Your flooring won't last forever; neither will your wallpaper or furniture. However, that doesn't mean you have to throw everything out and start again. 

Facelifting Furniture  

You don't need to dump your furniture at the landfill and replace it — you can upcycle it and breathe new life into it. This might not be the core of building a sustainable, eco-friendly home, but it is an important step. For example, if your lounge chairs have seen better days, consider fresh stuffing and re-upholstery. Or, donate it!

There are plenty of furniture items that still have life in them yet. They just need a lick of paint or a wallpaper decoration to give them a facelift. It's not just a case of avoiding taking these items to the landfill. You are also creating a truly unique piece for your home. 

High-Quality  

There is an old adage that the person who buys good boots will wear them for years to come, but the person who can't afford to buy cheap boots year after year. That extends beyond boots, and while there may be financial decisions at play when you make big purchases, opting for the highest quality items you can afford will ensure they last much longer.

This includes clothing, mattresses, linens, towels, and anything else you may purchase. The higher the quality, the longer it lasts, and the less likely it is to rot in a landfill. 

Natural Materials  

If you have financial restraints, you can make a difference by shopping for the most natural materials. Organic materials break down and won't feed the climate issues we have the same way manmade materials do. The same goes for opting for recycled metals, glass, reclaimed wood, bamboo, and other eco-friendly furniture.

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials. It grows in as little as three months, while trees take decades to do the same. Wool is another excellent sustainable material, and it's fully recyclable. Cork, teak, and hemp are excellent options, so bear this in mind as you look at furniture and accessories to decorate your home.

According to Realtor Darren Robertson, many people paint in neutral colors so they can change accessories in and out with the seasonal colors. Robertson states, “Opting for neutral paint tones is also a good idea if you’re thinking of selling your home, as most buyers want a blank canvas.”

Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly décor options, whether you embrace bouquets of dried flowers (which you can make yourself) or choose natural materials for your soft furnishings. Look at purchasing pieces you will hold onto for a long time and possibly pass down through the generations.

Green Paint  

No, not the color green – low or zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paint. VOCs contribute to a range of adverse health issues, and you can find the VOC level right on the can of paint. The magic number is less than 5g/L. It's a great way to reduce pollutants that naturally purifies indoor air. 

Plant Life  

Everyone could benefit from bringing the outside in; it's a great way to improve your mood and purify your air. It provides you with more calming space and avoids the need for artificial materials and accessories. And, with the new rubber plant or bamboo palm cleaning your air, your furniture and flooring will likely last longer when it isn't constantly fighting debris and pollutants.

Conclusion

Of course, new home builders are constantly looking for more sustainable ways to build eco-friendly homes, but you don't have to wait – you can create your own slice of sustainable heaven.