Sustainable Home Improvement: Eco-friendly Ways to Remodel Your Home

The scale and scope of climate change have been overwhelming in recent years. Governments and organizations have been presenting solutions to ease the environmental crisis. As businesses expand their sustainability efforts to reduce their ecological footprints, even homeowners should also take part in this cause to make eco-friendly changes in their lives and protect the environment.

Eco-friendly home improvements are often the least priority of most homeowners. They’d rather think of ways to improve the value and aesthetic qualities of their property. But in reality, the best way to increase the value of a home is to incorporate sustainable improvements. Applying eco-friendly upgrades to a home will not only reduce environmental footprints, but can also increase its value in the real estate market.

While home improvements are a little pricey, most homeowners are willing to go the extra mile by turning to the best interior designers and applying to loan programs with the most competitive mortgage rates to get the best upgrades for their homes. Whatever path you take, it is important to style your living space in the most eco-friendly way to save energy and money in the long term. With this in mind, here are some sustainable home improvements to maximize the value of your home without spending too much.

Buy reclaimed materials

Most homeowners get easily caught up with the newest and trendiest home upgrades. They end up buying up-to-date materials and applying the latest home decors to make sure everything is brand new. But as interior design trends evolve, there is no assurance that used materials are not as good as the new ones. Today, reclaimed materials are a new design trend to elevate indoor spaces.

Every year, manufacturing companies are wasting tons of raw materials in packaging and production processes. Don’t let yourself add up to the environmental burden by buying newly manufactured products. Instead, make an effort by using reclaimed materials to upgrade your home in the most affordable way. Reclaimed raw materials are renewable resources that reduce environmental impact and landfill wastes.

There are plenty of ways to salvage materials that will supplement your home improvement requirements. A great tip is to grab inspiration on cottagecore decors. Cottagecore is a new interior design trend that embraces simplicity and traditional visuals. To achieve this look, use reclaimed wood in the interior and exterior parts of your home, such as wooden flooring, support columns, kitchen elements, and furniture.

Wood distributors and local stores often sell reclaimed materials. You can also look for old furniture stores or old buildings up for demolishing. Instead of letting them rot in the landfills, why not salvage and incorporate them into your home?

Apply eco-friendly paints

One of the most affordable ways to give life and color to a room is to apply a fresh coat of paint to the ceiling and walls. While paints are very cheap, these products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with adverse long-term effects on the environment and the human body (e.g. respiratory problems).

Aside from its strong smell, exposure to traditional paint can harm the nose, eyes, and throat. If you have family members with respiratory issues, they may suffer from breathing difficulties. It can also trigger nausea and damage organs and the central nervous system.

A great alternative is to use low- to zero-VOC paints. Ask the paint provider to suggest VOC-free paint products. Although they cost a few dollars more, choosing a safer option will preserve the planet and your health without compromising the look of your room.

Optimize key areas of your home

No matter the size or look, every household has two distinct rooms that dominate every living space of your home: the kitchen and the bathroom. These areas are the biggest contributor to water and energy waste, but it doesn’t mean you can’t say goodbye to your dream kitchen or bathroom.

When doing home improvements, make sure to optimize the kitchen and bathroom for minimal water and energy use. You can start by incorporating features and elements that don’t involve wasting products, such as designer acrylic baths made from a sustainable manufacturing process. Don’t forget to include water-saving features such as a low-flow showerhead and toilet.

When it comes to the kitchen, combine water-efficient features and salvage materials (e.g., dishwasher and sink). Since the kitchen is known for its energy-draining sources, install smart appliances for lower energy costs.

Home improvements are wonderful ways to rejuvenate and reinvent living spaces. That being said, you should also take the opportunity to make your home more sustainable to save on improvement costs and utility bills. So make sure to apply these suggestions to make your remodeling plans more eco-friendly and contribute to environmental preservation.