Embracing Sustainable Living: The Latest Residential Trends
Most people aspire to live sustainably, but never quite achieve it. From the ability to give back to your environment to the awesome boost in property value, there’s a lot to take on, but you’re not alone in this.
These are the top trends in residential sustainable living and how to make them into your style.
Embracing Sustainable Living
Sustainable living is something that everyone should take part in. This is more than just a trend, since it’s a plan for moving into the future and offering the best back to the environment we live in.
To live sustainably, you have to invest in materials that are sourced in an environmentally friendly way and made to last. It’s also important to change things like how much electricity and other resources you use by leak-proofing your home so air and moisture can’t make their way in or out.
Over time, this becomes easier to do, but it can be an all-consuming research job when you’re building a property or even just remodeling one.
Green Building Materials
Green materials are vital to any sustainable building. They can be green in a multitude of ways, but most people are referring to materials that are able to be easily regrown or replaced while using minimal water or electricity.
The distance the materials travel can also affect whether or not they’re environmentally friendly or sustainable. A large movement in the last twenty years has been toward reclaimed, recycled, and reused materials that still have a lot of life in them.
If your roof is looking older, consider a green option for your next swap. Consider a wood-shake roof. This type of swap is a great idea, but it’s vital that you don’t try to swap out anything like this outside of its due date. Replacing a perfectly good roof with a brand new one so it appears more green is wasteful.
Energy-Efficient Appliances and Systems
Energy-efficient appliances and systems are a must in the modern home. Nobody wants a property that wastes fuel, so having smart tools that can turn off and on as needed can help.
Energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and washers and dryers can go a long way. Each uses less of whatever’s needed and still performs an incredible job.
Energy-efficient insulation has become popular in recent years. From sheep’s wool to bamboo fiber, countless types of sustainable insulation are out there! Remember to research heavily before buying.
Water Conservation Measures
Water is one of our most precious resources, and it’s important to ensure you don’t use too much. Products like low-flow toilets have been on the market for over twenty years, but there are other ways we can stop waste. Many homeowners gather rainwater to water their yards, and others reuse unsalted pasta water and other home-wasted water that doesn’t have chemicals in it as water for plants.
One of the best ways to switch to sustainable living is to switch to artificial turf. Artificial grass suppliers are skilled at installing gorgeous lawns that last for a long time and look fantastic. These lawns don’t have to be watered and will stay green regardless of the weather.
Green Spaces and Urban Farming
Urban farming goes in and out of style, and the main reason for that is most homeowners garden for aesthetics. They’ll pick a plot for tomatoes, a plot for corn, and a plot for peppers, but the truth is most of these plants do far better if they’re able to share that plot.
Crop rotation is a far better idea. Each plot hosts different plants throughout the year. This allows your soil to stay healthy and ensures that you get more food out of whatever size of land you have.
Minimalist and Modular Living
Be bold and think outside of the box! Insulated concrete forms may feel strange when you first read about them, but the way they’re pushing the boundaries of green living is fantastic.
Modular and minimalist living creates an insulated small space that keeps air and electricity waste at an all-time low. This also ensures you can get more use out of the land your property is on and gives you the chance to save a lot of money in the long run.
There’s a huge difference between minimalist decor and minimalism as a lifestyle, and it’s vital that you consider what the best option is for you. Remember that if you have kids and a busy household, it’s not always a good idea to limit their things simply because you want to limit yours.
Sustainable Living is a Must for Life and Property Value
Although this is a major trend, sustainable living means considering the future above anything else. Consider following these tips, and check out Cost Plus for more inspiration!
Author Bio
Brian Jeffries is a freelance writer who loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on construction projects and materials. He lives in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Brian’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.