Green Home Renovations Made Easy

By Cooper Klein, Author at Smooth Decorator

In this day and age, it’s no longer enough to simply recycle and properly dispose of the things you no longer need or use. The sustainable mindset has affected everything, from the way we think to the way we live. So those of us who wish to be nature’s friends, not foes, are fully embracing this new way of life.

So, in order to truly live and breathe green, you’ll first have to make sure that your home environment is not working against you. You can do this by checking whether your home is as eco-friendly as possible. Let’s start with a plan.

Determine what needs to be done

Before you actually start renovating your home, first identify what needs to be done. Bearing that in mind, inspect your property thoroughly. What needs to be improved? What can be improved?

Set a budget

Setting a clear budget will keep you from running out of money during your renovation project. Determine how much you can spend, and look for alternatives that save money and achieve the same effect. Bamboo flooring, reclaimed wood, or recycled glass countertops can save money and add style to your living spaces.

Room-by-room renovations

To truly maximize the efficiency of your renovating efforts, you should try to upgrade every room of your home. However, these projects don’t have to be big, but they should  definitely be smart. Let’s find the path to upgrade every room are, without completely redoing your entire house and spending a fortune.

Green kitchen renovation

The kitchen uses a lot of energy because of all the appliances, some of which run constantly. Therefore, if you can afford it, replace all of your old appliances with ENERGY STAR–rated ones. This will lower the use of energy and save money on energy bills. Yes, this will initially cost a more, but it will pay off in the long run.

Green bathroom renovation

The bathroom is another significant investment. An average household of three uses as much as 300 gallons of water per day. So, what you can do here is install low-flow toilets and add aerators to your shower and faucet.

If you still want to indulge in a bath from time to time, install a small bathtub as an alternative. This way, you can still take a long, relaxing bath when you feel you need it while using far less water to fill the tub.

Green living room renovations

To maximize the efficiency of your living room, you should first replace all the light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights. This may not seem like much at first, but you will definitely see the change in your electricity bill. Using low-VOC paints can improve your indoor air quality for a healthier home.

Other green home upgrades

You can also insulate your whole home to reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling. In addition, consider replacing windows and doors. More energy-efficient options, such as double- or triple-glazed, will also save energy and enhance comfort.

Consider smart home technology to monitor energy usage and save even more on your energy bills. Eventually, you can install solar panels and batteries, and rely mostly on clean, renewable energy.

When you decide to make your home more more sustainable, you don’t have to tear down and start rebuilding from scratch. By making smart choices and investing wisely, you can quickly transform your home into a green oasis. So, plan and budget carefully, exploring lots of options, before you start.

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