All homes need a little updating from time to time. Through the years, you may need more space or to replace parts like doors or kitchen counters as they become run down. And this is the perfect time to apply the circular economy definition: to use the materials for as long as possible.
You may want to upgrade some features or redesign the layout of your house. Whatever the reason, a home remodel is a great way to refresh the look and feel of your house. But always prefer eco-friendly solutions.
If you’re thinking of remodeling your home soon, here are 12 eco-friendly ideas you can utilize:
1. Donate What You Don’t Want
This may sound obvious to some but it isn’t. Instead of tossing out that dining table or headboard, donate it. You can donate it to any religious center near you, a children’s home, a women’s or homeless shelter, or great organizations like Habitat For Humanity. Many people can reuse what you don’t like. Be a reason for someone’s smile and help keep the environment clean all in one move.
2. Try Your Hand at DIY Salvaging
Instead of taking out those kitchen cabinets and installing completely new ones, try refacing the old ones. The same applies to furniture, flooring, and pretty much everything you want to remodel in your home. Unless it has damages that could endanger your life like serious mold infestation, try and salvage the item. This can become a fun home improvement project for everyone involved.
3. Go Thrifting
You can buy pre-used and pre-loved items for your home remodeling project. And no, they don’t have to be vintage. Just like you, many people choose to remodel their homes every day. They sometimes donate or sell their previous home items and furnishings. Try garage sales, second-hand retailers, Facebook marketplace, Instagram stores, eBay, and local thrift shops. You’ll be surprised how much you can get at a significantly lower price. You’ll also be contributing to a zero-waste world.
4. Deconstruct Instead of Demolish
Instead of demolishing any parts you want to change, carefully take them apart. Think walls, tiles, rooms, and cabinets. Demolishing is quick and time-efficient but it’s also a chaotic and destructive process. Deconstruction will take time but you will be able to reuse, upgrade, or resell the items when done.
5. Re-use and Repurpose
If you’re not big on DIY salvaging projects, you don’t have to do them. Instead, you can repurpose an item to be something else. A dining chair can become an office chair, and the entryway chandelier can go to the study. You can use the soup bowl to hold keys at the door. Think creatively and you don’t have to start a DIY home project. You can simply use the same thing in a different room or for a different purpose.
6. Use Reclaimed and Recycled Items
Depending on your desired home aesthetic, you can choose to go for items made of reclaimed or recycled materials. These items are not always on trend or shiny and lustrous. However, they are beautiful, and unique, and help promote zero-waste living. Reclaimed wood is a fantastic stepping stone into the world of reclaimed materials. You can use it for flooring or countertops. You can also purchase furniture made of reclaimed wood or metal. Recycled plastic and glass also make for stunning home items.
7. Go Antiquing
Antique shops are some of the best places to find fixtures for your next home remodel. They offer a variety of unique and beautiful items like mantels, light fixtures, cabinet handles, door knobs, and other decor items. You don’t have to go for a fully antique or rustic vibe. You can choose a few accent pieces that match your remodel aesthetic. You can also DIY some upgrades onto antique items to match your decor design.
8. Upgrade To Energy Efficient
If you have money to spare and want to purchase items for your home remodel, look for energy-efficient items. Refrigerators, dishwashers, air fryers, and other electric appliances have an energy efficiency scale. For your home remodel, think of upgrading your appliances to more energy-efficient models. Lower energy bills and a lower carbon footprint will offset the initial cost.
9. Think Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is the ultimate eco-friendly step. We use a lot of energy in our daily lives running our Wi-Fi routers, appliances, equipment, and the general art of living. Modern living requires a significant amount of energy daily. If you have the means to do it, think of installing sources of renewable energy for your home. Solar, wind, and biogas are some of the best options. Depending on where you live, your lifestyle, your budget, and local laws, you can choose to switch to renewable energy to help the planet.
10. Think Water Recycling
Many places in the world already construct homes with rainwater collection points from the roof gutters. These allow the water to collect in a specific tank or for the home occupant to place small tanks at each collection point. You can choose to do the same with your home as you remodel it. Additionally, you can upgrade your sewer system to allow for water reuse and recycling.
11. Utilize Natural Light and Insulation
High-quality insulation and more windows can make a difference in your home’s energy use. When remodeling your home, consider adding more windows or skylights to allow for more natural light. This will keep your home lit even on cold, dark days and keep your electric bill low. Using high-quality insulation will also lower your energy bill. You won’t need to run the heating very high during the winter or the aircon low in the summer.
12. Low-Flow Is the Way to Go
Newer homes are equipped with low-flow taps and flushing buttons. If your home is older, consider upgrading these items. It’s a simple and easy way to reduce water waste if you cannot fully uphaul your sewer system.
Wrapping Up
Remodeling your home is a unique chance to make eco-friendly decisions. You don’t need to splurge on major items, small steps like reusing and salvaging items are also significant. Choosing to remodel your home using eco-friendly ideas helps save the environment and your wallet.