Simple ways to go ‘Greener’ at Home

With the constantly fluctuating atmosphere around us, it is important to be environmentally active. It is important to consider how much money and energy we can save by building a green home. There are lots of little things we can do in our homes to play our small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape. Your property, your home is where you spend a lot of your time, so why not start from here.

Here are some small, easy, eco friendly tips we can follow for a greener home.

Tips for Eco-Friendly Home Decor & Living

1. Talking of green home, the first thing that comes to your mind must be efficient use of energy and also a built structure that must be eco-friendly. Also green home residents must follow a green lifestyle regularly. Replace appliances to energy efficient models with light bulbs being the first ones to be replaced. Turn off lights when you leave the room. Don’t turn on lights at all for as long as you can — open your curtains and use natural light.

Think before buying large appliances as they are energy guzzlers and take more space for installation. Find the right size appliance that fits your needs and save energy.

2. Also control exorbitant use of electricity, water and fuel. Your home becomes green home if it has eco-friendly structures that are built from recycled and sustainable materials. These materials are natural ones thus do not release toxins into the indoor air.

3. If space permits you may plant a simple backyard garden, it doesn’t have to be huge or complicated. For your garden and potted plants you may create home-made compost. Plant native plants rather than rare, exotic species. Plants native to your soil require less care and water. It is a good chance to reduce your cost.

4. Walk or ride a bike for small errands; combine as many errands as you can in one trip.

——————————————————————————————————–

Also Check: Bedroom Décor Ideas and Design Tips for Small Bedroom Makeover

——————————————————————————————————-

5. The daily activities and the lifestyle that a resident of the green home follows is a green lifestyle which is mainly based on the three pillars; to reduce, to reuse and to recycle. Reduce the number of items you purchase every month, this will reduce your consumption and thus will reduce wastage. Why not reuse something that you need by buying a second-hand version of it or by borrowing it from someone?

Reuse: Before you throw away that old t-shirt with red wine stains, think about how you can use it around the house: as a cleaning rag, re-purposed napkins, hair towel (cotton t-shirts are great for wrapping around wet hair)… and I’m sure you can come up with even more! It also helps to buy things that last longer — they can be more expensive, but can save you money in the long run, and will take longer to get to the dreaded landfill!

Recycle: Recycling isn’t just some magical sustainable fix-it-all solution. Recycling is a last resort — when you’ve reduced and reused as much as you can, and you have to throw something away. Just because you recycle doesn’t mean that you’re a level-seven-eco-warrior. Also, not everything can be recycled.

——————————————————————————————————–

Also Check: Redecorate Your 1BHK in Hinjewadi By Adding These Four Ideas To It

——————————————————————————————————-

6. Get Indoor Plants: Plants are essential for our living. Having indoor plants not only enhances the appeal of your house but also increases oxygen. Houseplants breathe in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen. They also soak up a lot of harmful toxins and pollutants, purifying the air. So, for a simple (and stylish) way to boost your green credentials, add a houseplant or two to every room in your home.

7. Invest in timeless designs: The ever changing trends of home decor are the biggest reason leading to wastages of various materials at home. A couch or chair may be in style this year but may go out of fashion next year. So you must invest in designs that are timeless.

8. If you want to be as environmentally friendly as possible while redecorating your home, avoid carpet. Full of chemicals and pollutants, it not only harms the planet when it’s manufactured, but also releases all kinds of toxins into your home during its lifespan. Plus, even the most hardwearing carpet only lasts around a decade before it needs to be replaced.

Apart from the above tips you must fix all the leaky toilets, faucets and tanks. Always remember to turn off the water in the sink when brushing your teeth or shaving. Remember to unplug chargers or other power appliances at your home when not in use and lower your electricity bills. You must also plan your fuel usage, cook with pans covered with lids. It can help to save energy, save money and emit fewer gases into the air. You can use cloth instead of paper to clean your kitchen or to dry your hands. Besides say ‘No’ to plastic bags. Instead carry jute made bags with you for shopping.

Having an eco-friendly home doesn’t mean simply replacing your old items; it also means changing your state of mind and being more conscious about the environmental issues. Do your bit for the planet and keep these home décor ideas in mind when you revamp your home next time.