PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

Sustainable Interior Design:

7 Eco-Friendly Materials to Consider While Renovating

Renovating a home can be a big undertaking—there are so many things to think about! One thing you may want to keep in mind is the sustainability of the materials you use. While there are many options, eco-friendly materials are an excellent choice for several reasons: they help preserve the environment, can be more affordable in the long run, and often look great too. Plus, they can help your home stand out if you sell it. Here are some ideas of eco-friendly materials to use during a home renovation.

Cork

When it comes to home renovations, cork is often an overlooked material. However, cork has several unique properties that make it ideal for use in home improvements. It comes from the bark of a cork oak tree, and can be taken without hurting the tree, making it a sustainable option. It’s often used for ceilings, walls, insulation, and floors.

Cork flooring is particularly popular because it’s comfortable to stand on, easy to clean, and hypoallergenic. Many homeowners are turning to cork flooring even as a sustainable building material during the construction of their home. Cork flooring is resistant to mold and mildew, making it ideal for damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is wood that has been previously used in another structure or piece of furniture. It can come from old barns, ships, warehouses, and other buildings, and from deconstructed furniture. Because it has already been used, reclaimed wood often has a beautiful, aged appearance that can add character to your home. And because it doesn’t require new trees to be cut down, it’s a more sustainable option than using new wood.

There are many ways to use reclaimed wood in a home renovation, including flooring and furniture. Reclaimed wood tables, headboards, and other pieces of furniture can add a unique touch to your home.

Recycled Plastic

Using recycled plastic is one way to make your home renovation more eco-friendly. It is durable and long-lasting, making it an ideal material for home renovations. Plus, using recycled plastic helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment. Just like other materials, it can be used in a variety of ways. For example, recycled plastic can be used to create fencing, decking, and siding. It is also a popular material for creating countertops and other surfaces.

Wool

Many people are familiar with the use of wool in making clothing, but did you know that it can also be used as insulation? Wool is a natural material that is biodegradable and recyclable, and does a good job of insulating homes both in temperature and humidity. This makes it an environmentally friendly choice for those looking for an alternative to traditional insulation materials such as fiberglass or Styrofoam.

Wool insulation can be used in various applications, including walls, ceilings, floors, and attics. It has also been shown to improve indoor air quality.

Stone

Natural stone is a sustainable building material that doesn’t require much processing, so preparing it for use has minimal impact on the environment. It comes in a variety of colors and textures, making it perfect for any style of home, and can be used for floors, walls, countertops, and fireplaces. Stone is an extremely durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also fairly low maintenance.

Bamboo

Bamboo is an environmentally friendly building material with several advantages over other materials such as wood. Most notably, it grows quickly, so it can be harvested more frequently than trees. Not only is bamboo environmentally friendly, but it is also durable and has a unique appearance. It can be used in a variety of ways during home renovations. Flooring, countertops, and even furniture can be made from bamboo.

Recycled Tiles

Recycled tiles are made from various materials, including glass, ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Having this material go into a tile instead of a landfill makes it a good eco-friendly option for your renovation. There are a variety of ways to use them, such as on floors, countertops, accent walls, and backsplashes. Plus, they can be found in a wide range of colors and patterns, making it easy to find the perfect match for your home.

Keep Your Renovation Eco-Friendly

When renovating your home, there are many sustainable and eco-friendly materials. Using reclaimed, recycled, and natural materials in your renovation project can help reduce environmental impact while creating a beautiful and unique space. If you’re looking for ways to make your renovation more friendly to the environment, keep these materials in mind. With sustainable materials, you can keep your renovation eco-friendly from start to finish!

Consider Better Landscaping

How you landscape around your lawn can impact not only how easy it is to care for your lawn but also how your lawn looks. If you want to maximize the appearance of your small lawn, here are a few tips and tricks for the surrounding landscaping:

• Opt for low-maintenance, native plants to reduce upkeep.
• Define lawn borders with edging materials for a clean look.
• Use mulch to enhance aesthetics and control weeds.
• Incorporate hardscaping elements like pathways or a patio.
• Regularly prune and trim plants to maintain a neat appearance.

If you are in Sydney and you are unsure of how to better your landscape, then you can always go with Sydney fencing contractors or other local contractors to help you with the planning process.