The International Day of Clean Energy, a call to raise awareness about the necessity of moving away from fossil fuels, is on the horizon. This means it’s important to look at how you can make your home as sustainable as possible.
Buildings are one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions as the construction uses a lot of energy. However, architects and interior designers can then do a lot to improve energy consumption.
2023 led to some groundbreaking records for climate change with the weather throwing one extreme after the other. Now it’s time to crack down on how you can use clean energy, lessen your carbon footprint and help in the fight against climate change.
Flooring
There’s a wide range of eco-friendly flooring options out there for you to choose from.
Bamboo and cork are typically considered the main two options as they’re renewable raw materials. Bamboo takes about five years to mature, allowing it to be grown and harvested quickly. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, where it can be repeatedly harvested every decade or so without damaging the tree. Cork flooring, however, is actually made from the leftover waste from wine cork production. This makes it even more environmentally friendly.
Although, it’s important to note that the downside of these two materials is that they typically have to be imported, which then releases carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Contrary to popular belief, solid and engineered wood flooring are eco-friendly options. Wood is a renewable resource as long as proper precautions are taken to replace the cut down trees. The production process also uses less energy than other flooring materials, meaning it emits fewer greenhouse gases.
Furniture
One of the easiest ways to be environmentally friendly is to give old furniture another chance at life. Whether you choose to repurpose, upcycle or leave them in their original form after a clean or two, you’ll be helping the environment and reducing your carbon footprint. This is then one less thing being dumped at a landfill, which goes a long way, especially if you’re not the only one upcycling.
If you’re not a DIYer, you can always buy furniture that has been repurposed or upcycled. You can even go for more budget-friendly options and buy second-hand items.
Plants and Living Walls
Whether you’re trying to be environmentally friendly or not, bringing a touch of nature inside is always a great idea. Indoor plants can absorb pollutants and add moisture to the air, which helps to improve the air quality of your home. This is great not only for people with dry skin or respiratory problems but also for people who struggle with stress, anxiety or depression.
You can go a step further and create a living wall, which is typically made of a frame, substrate and watering system along with a wall of plants attached to it.
Lighting Solutions
When it comes to lighting, the more natural light the better, but this isn’t always possible. Especially not when it rains all day or when it’s dark by mid-afternoon.
In that case, using LED light bulbs is the way to go. Whilst they cost more to buy, they make up for it by being cheaper to run, energy efficient and they have a long lifespan.
Materials to Use
There are plenty of sustainable materials for you to use.
Natural materials like bamboo and cork are biodegradable and require less energy to produce. They’re also durable, making them a practical choice for your home.
Another durable material is reclaimed wood, which is stylish and rustic. Reusing wood prevents trees from being cut down unnecessarily and it lessens waste.
One of the biggest factors with sustainability is recycling. Using recycled materials sustains natural resources and reduces the amount of waste produced.
Eco-friendly fabrics, such as organic cotton and linen, are grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, lessening the toxins emitted into the environment.
Similarly, low-VOC paints emit fewer toxins into the air, making them better for both your health and the environment.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are a few things to keep in mind. How far is your product travelling? What’s it made of? Is it recyclable, biodegradable or headed for landfill? Using these questions to help you decide on a product could allow you to reduce your carbon footprint, lessen greenhouse gas emissions and stop you from contributing further to climate change.
