After a while, our homes need a change or an update. They may look tired and old and in need of a little updating.
Moving to a bigger house might be ideal, but you’re worried about the economy and want to spend your money wisely. The best option is to renovate your home, not only to improve it, but also to better suit your current needs and your lifestyle.
If you haven’t thought about doing this yet, you might want to think about ways to renovate your home that are environmentally friendly.
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Buy salvaged products
Don’t be swayed by the need to have the latest and greatest. Consider other materials, like reclaimed wood, which is not only an eco-friendly option, but sublimely attractive and increasingly popular in all kinds of home improvement projects.
Reclaimed wood is a great option for countertops, floors, and walls. In the end, you’ll save the time, money and energy it would take to produce a newer, similar product.
Deconstruct your house – don’t tear it down!
If you’re planning on knocking down walls or even knocking down entire rooms, go through your house first to see what you can salvage and reuse beforehand.
Many things don’t even need to be changed, sometimes a little paint is all it takes, a bathroom can be considered completely new by changing the color of the tiles with special paints such as Smartcret and changing a few artifacts can be considered the bathroom of your dreams.
The living room lamp can be reused in the kitchen, moving objects can bring you a great visual change without investing.
Give away unwanted items
So you really don’t want this dining room chandelier in another room. Don’t throw it away, you can donate it to an institution or take it to a consignment store.
Maybe you even have a crafty friend who would like to repaint it and give it a new use.
Think about energy efficiency
When looking for new appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens, look for ones that are more energy efficient.
These products currently carry a label with the energy classification which will give you all the information you need.
Many of these major appliances, especially high-end refrigerators, consume a lot of electricity. For many people, these high-end devices not only have a high initial cost, but will also end up costing a lot more to run.
Consider buying used materials
Today there are many sites and applications like wallapop or the facebook marketplace that offer you the possibility to see what the neighbors near you are selling and you can easily find treasures at good prices.
A sofa or even a window or a door are easy to obtain and you will not only save money but you will get furniture with style and history, which gives your home more character.
Redo instead of replace
The biggest expense of any kitchen renovation may very well be your cabinets. Instead of completely replacing them, consider repainting them or simply refurbishing them.
Chances are your cabinets are in good shape. New doors and drawers can breathe new life into seemingly tired cabinets!
Use paints with low particle emissions
Look for paints that respect the environment, based on natural pigments and with low particle emissions, in addition to offering us good duration, scratch resistance and if you have children, especially that they are washable.
isolate
Choose high quality insulation. The better your home is insulated, the better it will be protected from the weather. Your home will stay warmer in the winter, allowing you to keep your thermostat at a lower, cooler setting during the hot summer months.
let the sun in
Many people are starting to consider solar energy when renovating their homes. Solar energy can also influence your heating bill.
Skylights and solar panels are known to reduce energy costs. They can be used to heat or help heat a home.
Visit antique shops and flea markets
Antique stores and flea markets are great places to buy items like doorknobs, lamps, and even fireplaces.
Not only will this help you achieve results, these repurposed items will add a charm and warmth to your home that simply cannot be replicated by their newer counterparts.
Ultimately, choosing to renovate your home green not only helps the environment, but allows you to do so while giving back to your community and saving a lot of money.