Not only can DIY save you money because you won’t be paying anyone to do work on your behalf, but it can lead to your home being more environmentally friendly. By improving your home yourself you can ensure that products used are biodegradable, made from recycled materials, and are recyclable. Read these tips to discover how you can redecorate, refurbish, and revitalise your home in a totally green way.
In with the old
Using reclaimed items in your home not only saves you money, but can add a quirky beauty to any room of the house. Toilets, Belfast sinks, and Victorian baths can all be recycled, and there are many different sources from which you can find these items. Scour auction sites, visit your local scrapyard, or advertise on via online community notice boards. In some instances you may be able to obtain an entire bathroom suite for free, or you may have to purchase them. When you have chosen which items you want to install in your home, research how you can do this yourself, or as much of the project yourself, before giving the plumbers a call. The Toilet Rough In Guide from The plumbing Info is a great place to begin when contemplating using reclaimed bathroom fittings.
Use what you have
It can be all too tempting to want to throw out tired, old furniture and buy new, but you will be surprised by just how stunning your existing items can look once they have been given the upcycling treatment. Wooden tables and chairs can be sanded, painted and varnished to give them a new lease of life. Picture frames from pictures you no-longer care for can be used to frame your own artistic creations. Even old floor boards can be recycled as shelving. Looking at old items with an alternative view can see you upcycling items you thought were past their best.
Spend a little to save a lot
Being green isn’t just about recycling, and on some occasions it is better to invest in an environmentally friendly product than to scrimp to save money in the short term. Non-toxic, environmental paint should be at the top of your list when redecorating your home. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has compiled a list of resources and tips on how to source green paint for your home, and some paints are made using recycled material. To discover how to identify environmental paint, read the EPA’s article here. Although some of these types of paints may be more expensive than conventional options, purchasing green paints will be an investment for your home, your family’s health, and the environment.
Being creative with your green DIY ideas is a fun project the entire family can enjoy. Getting children involved in design ideas is a safe method of involvement and will allow them to feel they have had input into their home. With a lot of planning, and careful research, your home could be the environmentally-friendly haven you have always dreamed of.
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