Green Home Renovation

Living in a world that’s close to an ecological disaster means it’s high time we actually did something about it. While you may think your efforts are small and insignificant, it’s far away from the truth and if everyone made just a small change, we could shift the paradigm together and make a palpable difference in the world. One of the best and most effective ways to join the eco-friendly game is by introducing a sustainable, green and environmentally-aware way of living in your home with renovations that are going to elevate the level of eco-friendliness in your living space, but in the entire area as well. If you’re unsure how to do so, here are a few ideas that help you.

Check your insulation

We lose a ton of energy on a daily basis just because our homes aren’t properly insulated, but that’s not an issue people are generally familiar with. However, we could save thousands of dollars every single year if we invested some money into insulating our walls, windows, roofs and floors, and that’s an idea worth considering. First, you need to check your insulation and inspect your walls for cavities and your windows for leaks. After that, consult energy auditing experts who can help you understand the problem more thoroughly, and then start going around your home with sealing strips and fix those leaks once and for all!

Reuse your furniture

Getting rid of the old and purchasing new furniture is great, but can you imagine how unsustainable and cost effective that is? Even if you are looking at cheap furniture, you need to consider whether it is cost effective for yourself or not. Therefore, reusing old furniture and giving it a new purpose is better in the long run and that can turn your home into the eco-friendly heaven you’ve always dreamed of. Turning old kitchen cupboards into new bathroom vanities or old cabinets into new kitchen islands is quite easy, and all you need is some paint, tools and free time. Keep in mind that recycling and repurposing furniture lowers the need for new furniture, and that’s something our planet desperately needs.

Install solar panels

This might not be an idea everyone is going to endorse, but it’s actually among the most efficient ways to ensure your home is as green as possible. Covering your roof with solar panels isn’t hard at all, but you might want to leave this job to professionals who have experience in this field and know what needs to be done. Of course, you mustn’t forget other equipment as well – from cables and batteries to reliable SMA inverters ?that convert solar power – all of these are necessary if you want to make the most out of your solar capacities.

Go local

Purchasing eco-friendly products that originate from your area means you’re not only being sustainable and environmentally-aware but also supportive of your friends, family and neighbors who are trying to make a difference in the world. So, instead of buying renovation materials and equipment online and having them shipped all around the world, get interested in your own area and you’ll surely find small local businesses that are just as good as anyone else. This way, you’re also going to spread your message of sustainability around your neighborhood and encourage more and more people who are also renovating their homes to join you in a fight for a better world.

Donate what you don’t need

When renovating your home, you’ll have to get through a ton of clutter and throw away a bunch of stuff you don’t need. However, before you consider throwing it into the dumpster, why don’t you donate it and help someone else instead? Taking your unwanted furniture – sinks, cabinets, doors, windows and flooring are some of the most popular donations – as well as your building materials and tools you won’t be needing anymore to a local charity means you’ll be assisting other people who want to do something good as well. That’s going to inspire them to do the same and soon you’ll build a community of do-gooders who’ll make a change in the world.

Turning your home into an eco-friendly place isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but if you put your mind to it and think outside the box, you’ll surely find a way to do that and help Mother Earth survive another day

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