If you’re like many other homeowners out there, chances are you’re looking to reduce your impact on the planet as much as possible. Not only does this mean you’ll help preserve the environment, but you’ll also save money on the energy bill. And if you’re just about to start designing your home or you just want to change things up in your current place, there are many things you can do to make it eco-friendly. That being said, here are five of the best design tips for your eco-friendly home.

 

Use low-VOC paints

If you’re about to paint your walls, you might want to choose very carefully. There are low-VOC paints you can opt for since they are way more eco-friendly than the ones most people use. The thing with these paints is that they’ve been specifically designed not to contain high amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to the health. They come in every color and you’ll be guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for.

 

 

Keep your roof cool

The way you design your roof will have a huge impact on how eco-friendly your home is. Basically, if you opt for a material that reflects energy from the sun, you can start using way less electricity to keep your home cool in summer. Slate, white tiles, and terra cotta are just some of the materials you can choose. However, bear in mind that the greater the benefits, the more expensive material is. Still, you don’t have to worry about money much since you’ll recoup the costs through savings.

 

Let the sunlight in

Obviously, in order to make your home eco-friendly, you need to reduce your energy use. And while switching to LEDs is a smart move, you should also try to reduce the use of artificial lighting as much as possible. In order to do this, you need to install as many windows as you can. Of course, you’ll want to avoid the bright glare of the sun early in the morning, so getting vertical blinds in all your bedrooms is recommended to achieve the desired balance. If you have a study room, that’s where you might want to focus most of the natural light to come through.

 

 

Have reclaimed wood furniture

Not all furniture is made the same way. Some pieces of furniture you can get are made of reclaimed wood, which means its production didn’t affect the planet. And you don’t have to worry if you want your home to look amazing as reclaimed wood furniture now comes in all kinds of designs and colors. You can even order customized pieces and give your home a personal touch. If you don’t want to go for that option, you can also think about getting a reclaimed stone or marble furniture.

 

 

Decorate with plants

If you want your home to be eco-friendly, there’s nothing better you can do than place plants in it. Some of the most popular houseplants such as Dracaena and Areca Palm look amazing and can help you purify the air inside your house. Moreover, they also add beauty to your home and give it a fresh and natural ambience. If you have a backyard or patio, you can also think about getting into gardening.

 

With these five design tips, making your home eco-friendly shouldn’t be tough. Just make sure you don’t stop looking for new ways to reduce the impact your household has on the environment.

Guest post by Carolin Petterson

 

 

About the Author

Carolin Petterson is a Business Lady and contributor for number of high-class websites. She loves to share her experiences and talk about practical solutions, but her specialties are sustainability, sustainable business and green living.

 

 

 

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