People often assume that making your home environmentally-friendly means foregoing style or functionality, but this doesn’t have to the be case. With so many sustainable options out there, you can incorporate environmentally-friendly décor, design, and renovations into any DIY home project.
Environmentally-Friendly Solutions
If there’s one thing virtually all homeowners want, it’s more space. No matter what size your property is, there’s a good chance you could do with a little extra space to keep things safe and make your living environment more comfortable. Whether you live alone, with a partner, or have a growing family, these innovative space-saving ideas will ensure you’ve got all the options you need.
Create An Indoor-Outdoor Space
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or outdoor space, you’ll want to ensure you make the most of it. Bi-fold or trifold doors allow you to create an indoor-outdoor space at any time of year. This makes your garden much more functional and allows you to enjoy extra space whenever you need it.Furthermore, the extra natural light that will flow through will make your home feel larger than ever. In addition to this, the warmth of the sunlight is the perfect way to keep the interior of your property nice and cozy. When you rely more on the sun for lighting and heat, you’ll use less energy and fuel.
Design Reclaimed Custom Storage Space
When storage space is an issue, it’s important to look for innovative ways to create aesthetically pleasing solutions. Fitted wardrobes or closet spaces are ideal because they can be custom-made to complement any specification. If your bedroom has an alcove, for example, don’t waste the space by leaving it empty. Instead, use bespoke wardrobes or cabinets to create much-needed storage space.
If you want to enhance your home with eco-friendly options, reclaimed wood is a great option for new furniture. As well as being an environmentally friendly choice, it also creates a stunning focal point in any room.
Use Washable Paper Bags for Kitchen Storage
There’s no doubt that kitchen storage (or lack of it!) is an issue in most homes, but washable paper bags could be the answer you’re looking for. While glass jars or containers can be a viable alternative to plastic, they tend to be fairly heavy and take up a significant amount of space. In contrast, reusable paper bags can be folded flat when not in use and require a fraction of the space.
Made from washable cellulose, they’re entirely eco-friendly and can be reused as many times as you like. They’re even available in a range of colors, so you can display them as fruit bowls, sugar caddies, or letter racks to keep your kitchen surfaces neat and organised.
Reclaim Functional Space
Lamplight can create a relaxing ambiance, but tabletop lamps or floor lamps tend to take up quite a bit of space. To overcome this problem, install wall lights instead. Fitted with LED bulbs, you can minimise energy usage and reclaim functional space when you transition from lamps to uplighters and wall lights. If you have a loft, get lights fitted and utilise the area for storage.
Making your home environmentally-friendly doesn’t mean foregoing style or functionality, you can maximise space and storage solutions. Opt for natural materials, solutions that are reusable and recyclable.
“Home wasn’t built in a day.”
– Jane Sherwood Ace
Photography by Annie Spratt
