Handy Shares Home Design Tips for a Sustainable Lifestyle

 Introduction

According to Handy, you can follow environmentally sustainable interior design practices to incorporate eco-friendly design and decoration without harming the environment. There are several ways to reduce your ecological footprint on the environment and reduce the impact on the environment.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few home design tips you may follow for a sustainable lifestyle:

1. Decorate your home with plants – One of the easiest ways to improve the look of your home is to decorate it with mini bonsai plants or indoor plants. These not only enhance the natural beauty of your home but also improve the air quality inside your home by providing oxygen and absorbing harmful chemicals that may be lingering in the air.
2. Use furniture and products made from natural, eco-friendly, or recycled materials – Avoid using furniture made from plastic molding, polyester, chromed metal, particleboard, or any other forms of synthetic material. Instead, use furniture made from sustainable materials such as natural wood or other organic material.

Typically, you can find rocking chairs, wood mantels, coffee tables, etc. made from reclaimed wood. It suits well in a rustic home and makes for a good flooring option as well. Bamboo is another good option. Bio-glass is a green alternative for items such as bathroom sinks, flooring, and countertops.

3. Avoid products that contain VOC content – Many common household products such as adhesives, paints, air fresheners, household cleaning products, carpets, and furniture often contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) which are organic chemicals that evaporate even at room temperature. VOC is not only damaging to the environment but is also harmful to your health since it can cause throat irritation, eye problems, nausea, nervous system problems, headaches, liver damage, and even cancer.

Thus, before you buy any products such as adhesives, paint thinners, etc., make sure there are green seal-certified or labeled ‘low odor’. You should also avoid products that contain fungicides, pigments, biocides, and other such products.

4. Set up sustainable lighting options – Conventional light bulbs utilize a lot of energy and much of it is wasted in the form of heat. A better alternative is to use LED bulbs that utilize up to 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer. Thus, you should only buy lightbulbs that are labeled ‘green’ and energy efficient.

It is also important to maximize the amount of natural sunlight that enters your home in order to reduce the usage of artificial light sources. An easy way to do that is to use Venetian blinds or opt for lightweight or pure cotton blinds.

It is also necessary to inspect your light sources for heat loss and add extra insulation to prevent the heat inside from escaping outside.

Conclusion

Handy believes that people can lead a life of minimalism by decluttering, organizing, and simplifying their homes. If that is not possible, you can adopt a Scandinavian decor that focuses on pure earthy, organic materials that are environmentally friendly and made from renewable resources.