Eco-Friendly DIY Home Projects For A Green Home

You’re not alone if recent events inspire thinking about ways to make an impact: reducing single-use plastics in your home, carrying reusable bags, and reducing your overall carbon footprint. Thanks to newer technologies than what was readily available decades ago, if you want to update your home, you no longer have to choose between a fresh living space and protecting the environment.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The ’90s slogan for enticing individuals to recycle ought to be repurposed as the new mantra for eco-friendly home projects. Reusing what you already have in your home substantially reduces the environmental impact of your project in three ways: first, by reducing old materials that end up in the landfill; second, by limiting the amount of dust in the air from demolition; and finally, by limiting the need for new products, which are often made with less-than-ideal materials full of chemicals harmful to the environment (and you!)

An added bonus is that if you’re preparing your home to go on the market, reusing materials and giving the home a facelift is a much better use of your time and dollars than doing a major renovation.

Eco-friendly examples of reusing materials include refacing and painting an existing bathroom vanity, reusing and resurfacing existing hardwoods instead of replacing, and resurfacing old bathroom tile.

Prioritize Sustainable Materials

If reusing materials isn’t an option, there are some home improvement materials more environmentally friendly than others. Bamboo is one of the best options because it can be harvested and regrown quickly and is very moisture-resistant, making it ideal for flooring.

Choosing safe materials for your next DIY project is another way to keep the environment in mind. Any new home material (paint, cabinets, carpets, windows) made in a manufacturing facility comes with the likelihood of “off-gassing” to occur. Off-gassing happens when new products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air of our homes over time. Sounds gross, right?

To combat off-gassing, you’ll need to research formaldehyde-free and eco-friendly materials before you buy. Time spent researching the best, most sustainable materials for your home will be repaid in lower environmental impact and better air quality for you and your family. For added ease, many paints already come in low-VOC or VOC-free formulas.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Landscaping projects boast very low environmental impact and are proven to provide a solid return on investment by boosting curb appeal. Anything you can do to add curb appeal provides prospective buyers with an excellent first impression of the home, which can go a long way to securing an offer.

Eco-friendly landscaping projects include reducing pesticides and other chemicals used to kill weeds, planting more flowers for bees and other pollinators to add color to your home’s exterior, putting in plants local to your area, limiting water use via sprinkler systems, and using solar powered landscape lighting instead of electrical.

Upgrade Outdated Appliances

Old, outdated appliances are an eyesore, and can be difficult to maintain and live with in day-to-day life. While you may be conflicted about adding appliance waste to landfills, new appliances are actually more sustainable because of their efficiency – they use using less water and energy than models of years past.

A new washing machine, for example, uses 25% less energy and 75% less water than appliances did 20 years ago. Data from the EPA finds switching to more efficient models can reduce water usage in a home by 20%.

Many cities further incentivize homeowners to make the switch to more eco-friendly appliances by providing rebates and discounts for those who make the change.

Door Replacements

Door replacements are a triple win for homeowners: they boost curb appeal, increase energy efficiency, and provide some of the most solid return-on-investment of all home upgrades. Findings from the annual Cost vs. Value Report published by Remodeling magazine reports garage door replacements recoup 94.5% of their value in a home sale, and entry doors recoup nearly 70%.

The good news: with a handful of smart choices, homeowners can substantially reduce the environmental impact of upgrades and renovations and enjoy a sleek, new space.