Contents
How to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly
Is your home eco-friendly? I hadn’t really pondered this questions until I received the contributed post below.
Some great ideas here that I hadn’t considered, so I’ve used this post as a kind of checklist for myself.
I’ve added my commentary after each point.
It Is Easy Being Green: How To Give Your Home An Eco-Friendly Interior
Doing what you can for the environment used to be a passing interest or hobby at best, but nowadays it’s absolutely vital.
With the planet being in the state that it’s in, it’s no longer acceptable to recycle a few cardboard boxes here and there and remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room; You need to take much bigger steps to reduce the impact that you and your home have on the environment.
Luckily, despite how difficult this might sound, there are many simple ways for you to make your home a bit more eco-friendly, without sacrificing style. Keep reading for some useful tips.
1. Let In The Light
If your home is lucky enough to get lots of sunlight, then don’t keep your curtains closed. Sunlight is the most natural form of heat and light, and so is a great way to keep electricity and gas bills low, while also reducing your carbon footprint. It is also the best quality of light out there, and as such makes your home appear brighter and more colourful.
Oops, not doing great on that one. I close my lounge curtains so the sun doesn’t beat down on my PC. Time to move my PC so I can let the light in. I also leave our blinds in our bedrooms closed most days. Point taken. Changes will be made.
2. Choose Energy-Efficient Lights
When the sun has set, or it isn’t a particularly bright day, you’re still going to need to light your home somehow, and this is where LED light bulbs come in. LED lights are a lot more energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs, and so is the best substitute for natural light.
If you’re worried about the extra cost, then you shouldn’t. Although LEDs sometimes cost a little bit more than standard bulbs, they keep your electricity bills low, so you still save money.
To be honest, I’m not sure if we’re using LED lights or not. Will have to ask my hubby.
3. Use The Right Paint
When your home needs a bit of a facelift, most people grab a few tins of paint and go to town.
However, before you do that, it’s important that you know that not all paints are the same. Some contain compounds called VOCs, which release toxic emissions into the atmosphere. If you want to protect the planet from harm, avoid using types of paint containing these compounds.
Oh-oh, have no idea how we fare on this one. But we’ll be repainting after our renovations so I’ll pay close attention to the paint we choose then.
4. Avoid Carpets
As beautiful as some carpets are, they aren’t always as innocent as they seem. Most are full of pollutants and chemicals, and like the paint mentioned above, they release toxins into your home that damage the planet. When it’s time to replace your flooring, opt for natural wood, and add natural rugs for some insulation. This is much better for the environment and still looks great.
Aah, check! Here we are doing great! We took out all our carpets a few years ago and laid laminate flooring. We only use rugs in the Winter.
5. Buy Pre-Loved Furniture
One of the most effective ways to help the planet and keep your carbon footprint low is to avoid buying new furniture. Every time a new couch or table is made, it’s using up resources and damaging the planet, but buying good-quality, second-hand furniture, does much less damage, as it’s being used a lot longer, rather than being thrown in a rubbish tip.
When it’s time to give your home a new lease of life, make sure you think of the planet too. It’s easier than ever to find eco-friendly and stylish ways to decorate your home, so remember the tips above and do your bit to keep the planet safe.
Interesting… well, we’ve had our furniture for YEARS so it’s pre-loved by us. 😉
How are you doing on this checklist, Moms? How eco-friendly would you say your home is?
If you have any ideas to contribute, I’d love to hear them in the comments below.
