When it comes to making New Year?s resolutions, we typically lean towards decisions that will change our lives for the better. With this in mind, it?s time to exclude unbeneficial living habits and switch to a healthier eco-friendly lifestyle. What?s even more important, by showing our care for the planet we can inspire our children to follow in our footsteps and become eco-conscious adults. In order to help you improve the quality of your life for you and your family, we have singled out our top green lifestyle trends for the upcoming year. Let?s take a look and get inspired.
Switch to sustainable materials
First things first, if you truly desire to lead an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, you need to invest in sustainable materials for your family home. The reason for this is because these materials are extremely durable and low maintenance. On top of that, by opting for these instead of conventional materials you can significantly reduce the presence of toxic VOCs which can harm you and your children?s? health. For example, bamboo wood and linoleum are ideal for kitchen and bathroom flooring since they are water and fire resistant. Alternatively, you can opt for polished concrete since it can add a fabulous industrial touch to your interior in the form of fireplaces, countertops or even coffee tables.
Incorporate greenery
Another important step which will bring you closer towards establishing a greener family home is the incorporation of plants and flowers. These will not only create a beautiful inviting atmosphere indoors, but can purify the air by eliminating harmful chemicals from it. If you like this idea, you can opt for the Areca palm which reduces xylene and toluene levels in the air and adds a luxurious look to any room. Furthermore, Peace Lilies, Dracaenas and Lavender will get rid of any formaldehyde traces in your home and their calming scent can help you relax. Finally, if your children have trouble sleeping, you can place small planters with Jasmine and Hydrangeas in their room to soothe them and provide them with uninterrupted sleep.
Reduce energy consumption in your home
One of the most important parts of the transition to a greener family home is the reduction of power consumption. You can start off simple by unplugging your appliances instead of leaving them on standby since they?ll still consume energy that way. More importantly, if you truly want to protect the planet, then you should definitely invest in 10kw solar systems since they can help you reduce your carbon footprint and cut your power bills drastically. Additionally, due to this your home will be powered by a reliable energy source making you less dependent on conventional fossil fuels which pollute the atmosphere and our environment. Lastly, if you live in a windy area, you should consider getting a small wind turbine as an efficient, cost-effective and non-polluting energy solution that can power your entire household.
Conserve water in your home
Conserving the water around the home is a great way to reduce the bills and inspire a greener lifestyle. You can begin by installing low-flow faucets, shower heads and a toilet in your bathroom which function equally as efficient as conventional ones but create less waste. Furthermore, you can teach your children some practical tips for water preservation such as turning off the faucets when they are shampooing their hair during showers. On top of that, make sure to check the plumbing for any leaks since a sudden burst pipe can cost you your nerves and money. If you want to be 100% on the safe side, you can contact an experienced professional to evaluate the current state of your pipes and notify you if there are any immediate repairs necessary.
Start recycling properly
Last but not least, recycling is an integral element of every eco-friendly lifestyle and it?s vital that every family member does their part. Introduce your family to the idea of recycling by bringing in multicoloured bins for each type of waste ranging from paper and plastic to electric and organic items. Keep in mind, you should explain to your children that recycling represents the action of converting waste into new reusable materials which eliminates the need for landfills that pollute the soil and atmosphere. Remember, not all plastic can be recycled in the same way so it?s crucial to learn about different recycling decoders.
As you can see, it doesn?t take much effort to transform your house into a green family home for the next year. All you need to do is follow these eco-friendly lifestyle tips, ask professionals for help and have a true desire to protect the planet. We wish you all the best in your new home.
Tracey Clayton is a working mom of three girls. She?s passionate about fashion, home d?cor and healthy living. Her motto is: ?Live the life you love, love the life you live.?