With increasing community focus on sustainable design, more home owners, renovators, investors, builders, architects and designers, are looking for ways to improve their ecological and environmental footprint as they renovate or build new properties.

Some of the top ways to adopt an eco-design approach to your next project include:

1) Reuse and Recycle

If you are renovating an existing property, try to reuse or restore as many of the original materials as possible, this will help minimise waste and it can add value by retaining some of the original design elements and charm.

What you can't reuse, recycle. Different ways to recycle items include upcycling them to create something new, giving them away, or selling them to others, taking them to the correct recycling locations or having them collected.

2) Sustainable Building Design

There is a vast amount to consider in terms of building design to minimise a property's environmental impact including:

• minimising and ideally eliminating any damage or destruction of the surrounding environment in the construction process,

• minimising the need for artificial heating and cooling with designs that naturally keep houses cooler in summer and warmer in winter,

• ensuring maximum access to natural light &

• incorporating maximum greenery to improve air quality e.g. planting gardens (including rooftop gardens) and green walls.

  
  

With careful planning, eco-conscious choices can enhance the efficienct operations of a property whilst improving the quality of everday living in that space.

3) Minimise Water Use

Install water efficient fixtures and appliances to save water, look into options for rain water harvesting and tank use, consider smart irrigation systems for gardens and install greywater recycling systems to reuse the water from baths, sinks and washing machines.

4) Minimise Energy Use

Plan to use renewable energy sources like solar as much as possible, install quality insulation, double glazed windows and energy efficient appliances and lighting.

5) Eco-Product Selection

As part of the design, building and renovation process choose materials that are recycled or sustainably and responsibly produced. Where you are considering your selections for flooring, tiles, landscaping or decking, look into how the products you are considering were made.

To make informed product selections, find out:

• what the items are made from,

• how were the components sourced,

• where are the items manufactured,

• is production socially and environmentally responsible,

• how long will the items last,

• how much maintenance is needed &

• what happens when those materials are no longer being used in the future, could they be recycled or are they biodegradable.

  
  

Sustainable design is ultimately about balance, combining functionality, beauty, and environmental responsibility to create properties designed to last and be built in the most nature positive way.

Author Bio: Kyla Shelley is a writer and content creator passionate about nature, design, travel, photography and wellbeing. Her work draws inspiration from the natural world, encouraging readers to slow down and create space for more meaningful moments.

Bella Living is an evolving interior design, home and lifestyle hub, creating and sharing information to improve lives and lifestyles by design.

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