Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home, whether you’re donating things you no longer need to charity, or giving your space a makeover for the new season. Renovations don’t need to cost the earth and with some simple swaps, you can easily update your space.
Here are some sustainable ways to help you upgrade your home this Spring
1) Choose an eco-friendly paint
If you want to introduce a new colour scheme to a living space, one of the easiest swaps to make is choosing non-toxic paints and finishes. Conventional paints can contain harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been shown to affect indoor air quality.
Non-toxic paints are free from these chemicals, making your home sustainable and healthier –Low VOC (or water-based paints) also have less odour and can dry up to three times faster than solvent-based formulas, making them easier to work with.
Several national DIY and paint stores now offer an eco-friendly range, providing durable and anti-yellowing finishes with a minimal environmental impact. When using non-toxic paint, you should still make sure to work in a well-ventilated area, give your walls plenty of drying time and prep your surfaces to ensure the best results.
If you’re looking for inspiration, Pantone announced Mocha Mousse as the colour of the year, a warm brown tone that is said to ‘evoke the comfort of chocolate and coffee’.
2) Source second-hand furniture
Instead of buying brand-new furniture, consider shopping second-hand to give your home a refresh. Buying pre-loved items not only helps keep furniture out of landfill, it also often adds more character to a room than pieces from the high street.
To find unique and affordable furniture, check out your local charity shop or search Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Simple DIY projects can easily breathe new life into older pieces, for example by repainting or reupholstering used furniture.
Rather than purchasing all new furniture, consider sourcing unique accessories and soft furnishings to change the colours and theme of a room without having to make significant renovations. Scrap or deadstock fabrics from local fabric shops are often available at an affordable price point and can also be used to create new cushion covers or wall hangings to introduce colour with minimal sewing skills required.
This will enable you to play with trends and swap out accessories for a fresh look, while keeping a core collection of classic investment furniture pieces – such as sofas and tables – for years to come. Pre-loved pieces inspired by vintage models, such as mid-century designs, will never go out of style.
3) Consider using natural materials
Natural materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and stone can help to create a serene environment inspired by the great outdoors and are naturally hard wearing, making them the perfect durable material for furniture and surfaces. These materials often have a lower environmental impact because they require fewer resources to produce and can be sourced
locally or reclaimed from old buildings or DIY projects. For example, old crates can be transformed into an industrial bed frame and reclaimed wood can be used to create bookshelves.
For hard surfaces, consider options like cork or reclaimed wood for their hardwearing properties, whereas natural materials like wool and silk can be used for soft furnishings.
4) Don’t underestimate lighting!
Mood lighting is another way to update your surroundings with simple swaps. Start by installing LEDs rather than incandescent light bulbs, as they use far less energy and last longer. Coloured bulbs can dramatically change the atmosphere of your living space, without having to change furniture or paint colours and when combined with smart lighting systems, they can also adjust the brightness depending on the time of the day.
Outside, solar-powered lights provide a greener solution for your garden just in time for upcoming summer BBQs and parties.
5) One step at a time
If you’re ready for a refresh this Spring, just start by making small swaps rather than changing everything at once. By opting for non-toxic paint, choosing second-hand furniture, or taking on an upcycling project, you can adjust your home over time, rather than rushing into a renovation project. Most importantly, try not to fall into the pattern of opting for the latest trends and instead make sure your home reflects your personality and feels timeless.
Building Relations
Building Relations is a PR & communications company that has offices in London, Egham (Surrey) and Edinburgh specialising in property, construction and the built environment. Clients include large and small developers, housebuilders, housing associations & providers, estate, land and buying agents, construction firms and many other types of property-related companies.