Giving your home a new look? Here are a few ways to create a green space.
Giving your home a new look? Here are a few ways to create a green space.
• ECO-FRIENDLY FURNITURE
Choose environmentally friendly pieces that are durable or can be easily repaired. For wooden furniture, prioritise companies that source their timber from sustainably harvested forests and tree farms certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
• ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
Replace your incandescent lights with low- energy ones, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) lighting. Better still, purchase fixtures that use light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs, which are long-lasting, energy- efficient and contain no mercury.
• LOW-VOC PAINT
Typical household paint contains a fair amount of known toxins, with some of the most dangerous ones being volatile organic compounds, or VOC. These substances are bad for your health; some of them have also been linked to cancer. Repainting your walls with low-VOC paint, especially if you have children, is an inexpensive way to protect your family’s health.
• LOW-COST COOLING
Instead of relying on the air-conditioner to keep your living room cool, consider energy-saving alternatives such as ceiling or standing fans. Heat-control blinds and blackout curtains also help reduce heat gain and lower your energy bills.
• HOUSEPLANTS AND TERRARIUMS
Plants are not only beautiful, but they also help to improve indoor air quality. If you are hard-pressed for space, why not opt for a terrarium with fuss-free air plants?
