Go Green at Home

Going green and opting for a sustainable way of living can often be pretty expensive, so people tend to focus only on a handful of things. If you break things down into several projects, you won’t have to go over your budget or give up your new lifestyle. You need to remember that even a few minor changes can make a significant difference and you can continue introducing new things in the future too. This way, you’ll soon have a sustainable home and feel proud of the mark you’ve left on the planet.

Be smart with your shopping

Switching to green cleaning supplies is beneficial for you and your family, but also for your house because the products made from natural supplies aren’t harmful. What can be more frugal than making them on your own using some vinegar, lemon and baking soda? If you’re used to buying bottled water, think about investing in a water purifier for your home as this is an investment that will definitely pay off. Also, change your shopping habits – visit local stores close to you and save fuel you’ll spend on trips to big supermarkets outside the city. What’s even better is finding some organic stores and eating healthy food without pesticides that are harmful and can cause serious diseases.

Basic home tips and tricks

You can’t even imagine how a few simple changes that don’t require a ton of money can affect the energy efficiency of your home. The first thing you need to get used to is unplugging the appliances you don’t use that often and turning them off when you leave the house. Printers, phones, tablets, computers, chargers, microwaves and coffee makers can be unplugged when not in use without the possibility of something dangerous happening. Apart from that, you can adjust the temperature in your fridge if you don’t keep too much food in it – not only will your electrical bills get lower, but you’ll also save a ton of energy, which is something you can’t put a price on.

Make a green oasis in the backyard

When it comes to green gardens, there are some rules you need to take into account and plan your design around them. Of course, you need to add as much greenery as possible and that is something people in Australia know best. All across the country, you can see green oases in backyards and Aussies sure like to decorate their family space with herbal gardens, resting areas, and even outdoor reading nooks. This is something they like to leave to the professionals and companies like Manna Landscapes are the best for this job. Invest in your garden and create your own piece of heaven right outside your house, and you’ll be able to enjoy it all year long.

Interior changes and improvements

There are some tips and tricks for your interior as well, but you’ll have to think in advance because many options include small investments that are guaranteed to pay off in the future. For starters, switch from regular light bulbs to the LED ones and don’t get confused over their price. Although they’re a bit more expensive at first, they last for a decade or so, and are thus a much better option in the long run. If you want to revamp your home, don’t opt for new furniture, but visit local flea markets and garage sales instead, and you’ll find vintage pieces that need just a little touching up to look stylish and sophisticated again. Another option is to restyle your own furniture and you can achieve that by using natural fabrics to reupholster your sofa. Finally, think about rearranging your furniture to make your rooms look different without spending a dime! If you, however, have to buy something new, check whether it’s made from natural materials.

There’s no excuse why you haven’t already implemented these small changes into your life and changed your state of mind to be more eco-friendly. Instead of refusing to take sustainability into consideration, make a proper decision and start thinking about the future and the quality of your children’s lives. Once you get the hang of eco-awareness, you won’t be able to think about anything else.

Article written for WhosGreenOnline.com by Emma Joyce, interior designer. Always in the process of searching new styles, inspirations, and advice on how to renovate and decorate. Emma is also a writer on a blog smoothdecorator.com