» Make your home energy efficient
How ‘green’ is your scene? Latest Interiors takes a look at how we can all make our homes energy effecient
2007 saw a veritable green revolution in homes and interiors style, and the trend is set to continue – and strengthen – in 2008. Ignore green issues at your peril; modern eco-friendly interiors are practical, stylish and fast becoming the norm. So, if your domestic ethics are as important as aesthetics, what changes can you make to your home? Latest Interiors finds out how easy it is to go green…
Sustainable homes
Having a greener home is actually quite easy. Following a few basic principles will put you on the right track:
- Think small – bigger homes use more energy
- Heat with the sun, solar heating is
inexpensive, clean and efficient - Use energy wisely and switch off appliances
when not in use; opt for low-energy versions - Conserve water
- When possible, use local, natural materials
in building and furniture, from sustainable
sources - Always recycle
Increasingly, high street and home stores are offering products that can help you with all of these; energy saving light bulbs, switches and appliances, and recycling storage are in many of the spring/summer 2008 ranges this year.
Green interiors
Eco-friendly furniture and accessories made from recycled (or at least recyclable), natural and sustainably-sourced materials should be top of your list. Paper, rubber tyres, recycled
seat belts and wool are all used by designers to produce hip, urban furniture. Look for natural organic or recycled soft furnishing in cotton, wool, or bamboo. Second-hand furniture and furnishings are a real green alternative: re-use where you can, and recycle.
Solvent-free organic paints contain none of the chemicals likely to cause or exacerbate asthma, sick building syndrome, allergies or chemical sensitivities. Eco-paints are available in virtually all varieties and colours: look for brands that contain no (not low) solvent.
Helping the environment
Use low-packaging, environmentally friendly household products – cleaning products in particular should be vegetable rather than petroleum based to minimise environmental impact. Clean less (scientific research shows that dirt makes us happier and healthier!) and use the bare minimum of products: no-one really needs four different types of detergent.
Clever storage can make recycling a joy, even for the cynics amongst us. Look for stacking boxes that fit neatly into corners, or convert a kitchen unit or under-stairs space into your recycling base.
In the garden, invest in a water butt (if you haven’t already) and keep plants healthy with recycled rainwater. Local councils and water suppliers often run promotions on water butts and composters, so do some homework before you buy. A composter allows you to recycle household waste to nourish fruit and veg. Ditch the patio heater: they produce as much as 7g of carbon from two hours of use – about as much as an average car produces in a day. Instead, you can use a log maker and recycle your household waste (tea bags, paper and garden waste) into compact ‘logs’ which can be used in a chiminea or stove. Or put on a jumper!
Making your home eco-friendly is easier than it’s ever been, so there are no excuses. With environmental issues rising up the political (and fashion) agenda, any changes you can make to your home that reduce its carbon footprint can only be a selling point for the future. Green? It’s the new black, darling.
