By David Koller
A lot of people dream of living in a green home which is off the grid and self-sustainable. However, while dreaming is sweet, the fact is that many give up on this fantasy because they find it unpractical and hard to fit into their otherwise busy lives. Many people think that an eco-friendly home means making a compromise on the way that they are used to living.
Still, the fact remains that an eco-friendly home will do wonders for your environment, and you don’t really have to make drastic changes if you don’t want to. A few smart choices and changes can make your home both eco-friendly and stylish.
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
Solar panels
Many people consider solar panels ugly to the eye. However, the technology and design have advanced to the point where there are various unique ways that you can add solar panels to your home. They are the perfect solution for the environment because with them you no longer have to burn fossil fuels or use nuclear power that is a potential hazard.
You can seamlessly implement solar panels into your roof so that they look as if they fit there. There are solar powered shingles out on the market that look even better than the regular square panels. Next to adding panels to your roof, you can also create an outdoor sitting area that has a panel cover as a shade, providing energy for your home at the same time.
LED lights
Thinking about what kind of light sources you use is a part of creating a green home. The best choice for bulbs that you are going to use for your lamps and lights is LED lighting. Traditional fluorescent bulbs are far from energy-efficient, and cannot compare to LED lights, as they waste 90% more energy. You will get a warm LED glow that is the perfect solution for your energy bills as well as the environment.
Water harvesting
A great solution that will help you cut down on how much water you are using is water harvesting. The first thing that people think of is blue barrels that collect the water from your roof. But you can actually uniquely design your home and give it a purpose at the same time. The traditional roof has a peak in the center and then slopes down and out. Why not decide to design your roof in a way so that it slopes toward the center? It’ll give your house a one-of-a-kind look, and also enable you to capture water that you can use.
Sustainable bedroom
Your bedroom is most often the comfort zone of your home. The good news is that you can find the right balance between comfortable and eco-friendly. You can start small, from giving up on luxurious night clothes and opting for sustainable loungewear. There are wonderful clothing pieces out there made out of organic bamboo and cotton, which are not only eco-friendly but also long-lasting.
Your bed is the most important part of the bedroom that you’ll be thinking of, so you want to get yourself a green mattress with organic cotton bedding. There are mattresses made out of natural latex, which is non-toxic and VOC-free, and completely biodegradable. Cover your bed with organic cotton sheets made from sustainable wool.
You’ll also want to think about your curtains. There is a wide variety of eco-friendly choices that you can make that will look wonderful in your bedroom. It would be a good idea to contact your local curtains Blue Mountains retailers and pick what suits you the best.
In summation
It is a conscious and responsible choice to decide to make your home eco-friendly. And the good news is that you can do it all in style. The severity of changes that you want to make to your home is up to you. Whatever you do, it’s always a good idea to be friendly to your environment.
Author Bio: David Koller is a freelance blogger passionately interested in minor house fixes and home décor.
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