Renovating your space is generally a perfect opportunity to make some lovely changes to the space you live in and make it not only more aesthetically pleasing but also more functional and comfortable.
Although these projects are exciting, what you need to understand is that they produce a massive amount of waste and consume huge amounts of materials and energy. That’s why you should do whatever you can to ensure your remodeling isn’t too wasteful, which isn’t so difficult to accomplish.
With the proper planning, you can make choices that will radically lower environmental impact and, at the same time, give you the house of your dreams. If you want to know how to make that happen, then scroll below to find out more!
Stick With The Things You Already Have
One of the easiest ways to make a home renovation sustainable is simply knowing when to leave well enough alone. Before you grab the sledgehammer and start tearing things down, take a slow walk through the space and look for things you can repair, refresh, reuse, or repurpose.
You'd be surprised by how much life is left in your old stuff. That solid wooden door might just need a quick sanding and a fresh coat of stain. Your existing cabinets could look brand new with some modern paint and sleek new hardware, and high-quality flooring can often be beautifully restored instead of ripped out.
By keeping existing materials right where they are, you keep a lot of waste out of the landfill and avoid the environmental cost of manufacturing and transporting replacements. As a massive bonus, saving these materials keeps cash in your wallet, giving you a lot more breathing room in your budget for upgrades that actually add genuine value to your home.
Paint, Paint, Paint
What’s great about paint is that it can fully transform your space without needing to have any structural work. It’s without a doubt the best way to refresh your home that doesn’t require any staggering amounts of cash.
When picking paint, be sure to opt for products that don’t contain any volatile organic compounds. Some homeowners resort to Paintzone Seattle when they want to do some major renovation, yet that’s one hundred percent sustainable. Speaking of painting, in case you didn’t know, color choice can, in fact, have a huge impact on the vibe of your room.
For example, lighter shades will make the room feel more cheerful and brighter, decreasing the need for artificial lighting. Even if you are experienced, as far as this goes, it would be advisable to consult a professional because they are going to help you decrease wasted materials and make sure the finish lasts.
What About Flooring?
While flooring might seem like something you can push to the back of your mind during a crazy home reno, eco-friendly floors are absolutely blowing up right now. More and more of us are starting to care about exactly where our materials come from.
In fact, Google searches for “eco-friendly flooring” skyrocketed by a mind-blowing 9,900% over the past year, proving that sustainable homes are officially the new standard. The good news is that going green doesn't mean sacrificing durability. You have a ton of incredible options to choose from:
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Reclaimed wood boards: These have obvious eco-bragging rights, plus a secret superpower they’re already pre-seasoned. Because they've lived a past life, they won’t warp or twist after you install them.
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Scaffold boards: These are super robust, relatively easy to get your hands on, and come with a gorgeous, character-filled patina that looks just as amazing on floors as it does on a rustic feature wall.
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Bamboo: This is a massive favorite because bamboo grows light-years faster than traditional hardwood and doesn't need harsh pesticides or chemicals to thrive. Even better? It’s naturally tough and moisture-resistant, making it a fantastic, sustainable choice for tricky spaces like your bathroom floor.
The Importance Of A Good Indoor Air Quality
Truth be told, a vast majority of people spend a lot of time indoors, primarily in their houses. Many of them fail to realize that decreasing air leakage doesn’t only boost efficiency, but it also lowers infiltration and indoor air exchange between spaces and attached basements, garages, and attics. Furthermore, it would be wise to get rid of current contaminants, like pests, radon, and/or mold, and, simultaneously, provide efficient ventilation by making use of a balanced ventilation system.
The main purpose of eco-friendly renovation isn’t just to make your home more beautiful. Even though that’s one of the goals, you should make sure you’ve made choices that will have positive, lasting effects on your space, which you’ll easily accomplish with the above-mentioned tips.
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