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We all want to create a beautiful home, from our interior decor choices to improving the garden. When you’re improving your property it’s important to closely consider sustainability. Perhaps your home isn’t as sustainable as it could be? If so, there are plenty of ways that you can change that.

Use these twelve ideas to start creating a sustainable home that you can be proud of. There are so many ways to go greener and make a difference.

1 . Water conservation practices

We all rely on running water, but it’s important to monitor your usage. There are lots of water conservation practices you can adopt to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Considering purchasing water-saving, showerheads, these devices restrict the water flow. Aerated showerheads work by combining the water flow with air, reducing water consumption by approximately 50%. Other ideas to save more water include:

• Collect rainwater and use this water around the home or in the garden.

• Fix any leaks or dripping faucets.

• Invest in a low-flow toilet.

• Only run the washing machine on a fulload, (and be mindful of how often you wash your clothing).

• Use water conservation apps to keep an eye on your usage.

2. Shop in season 

According to Yogi Approved, ‘food transport accounts for about 11 percent of the total carbon emissions, with 83 percent of those emissions occurring before your food leaves the farm.’ To create a more sustainable home you should think carefully about how and where you shop for your groceries. It’s best to shop for local fruits and vegetables and to shop in season. There are lots of benefits to buying vegetables and fruits in season, such as:

• Foods that have been grown in their natural conditions tend to be more nutritious.

• Shopping in season can help you to save money on your groceries.

• When you shop in season you’ll get lots of yummy local produce, and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

3. A solar-powered home

If you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint you’ll definitely want to consider solar power. Solar panels are usually installed on the roof of a property, these panels harness energy from the sun, using this energy to power the home. Solar panels are generally made using silicon, glass casing, and a metal frame. When light particles land on the silicon the process generates an electrical current.

When you’re looking for a provider you’ll want to find the best solar company out there. Be sure that you perform research, check testimonials, and choose an experienced company.

4. Recycle food waste

To create a green home make sure that you recycle your food waste. One of the best ways to do this is to create a compost pile. You can use your compost to fertilize your garden, growing beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables.

The key to making a healthy compost pile is to combine carbon materials and nitrogen materials, (it’s best to include equal parts of each). Carbon materials include cardboard and wood chips. Nitrogen materials include grass trimmings or fruit and vegetable waste. It’s advisable to purchase a compost tumbler so that you can aerate your compost, and keep it dry.

Once you’ve got your compost pile ready you’ll be ready to start improving your garden. If you've got little children you might like to involve them in the vegetable growing process. Kids love messing around in the garden, and it’s a great way to teach your kiddies new things.

5. Declutter your home

Have you got lots of clutter taking up space in your home? Unwanted items means waste, and producing too much waste is the opposite of eco-friendly. If you want to create a sustainable space you’ve got to sort through the clutter and give your belongings a new home.

There are plenty of ways to remove clutter from the home, you might recycle, upcycle, sell or donate. If you’re looking to donate your unwanted belongings you might want to check out projects like Dress For Success, Habitat For Humanity, or 1 Million Project.

6. Green cleaning products

When you use green cleaning products you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and boost your health too. There’s no need to rely on toxic chemicals to get your home nice and clean. So many brands offer earth-kind alternatives made from a range of plant-based ingredients. According to The Strategist, some of the best green cleaning products right now include Branch Basics Concentrate and Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner.

7. Get inspired 

We all need some inspiration here and there. To learn more about sustainability take a look at these fantastic resources:

The Slow Home Podcast: This is a beautiful podcast about slowing down and simplifying your life. If you’re looking to embrace a minimalist lifestyle, focusing less on objects and more on experiences, this is the show for you.

The Green Dreamer: If you’re looking to pursue a more eco-friendly lifestyle you’ll certainly want to tune in to the Green Dreamer. Kaméa Chayne is a sustainable living and ethical expert, each week she interviews new guests, to discuss all things sustainable. Recent guests on the show have included Tara Mackey, Bea Johnson, and Agnes Muljadi.

The Green Divas: This show is all about tackling green topics casually and humorously. Here you’ll get plenty of sustainable tips, current events, interviews, and a whole lot more. Recent shows have focused on topics like water conservation and ‘gardening for climate change.’

Sustainable Jungle: This show has lots of tricks and ideas about sustainable living, here you’ll get to listen to lots of lively debate about how we can protect our planet. Tune in for discussions about sustainable home solutions, environmental conservation, and plenty more.

8. Earth-kind paint

Thinking about redecorating your home? Before you purchase conventional paint products consider checking out a few eco-friendly alternatives. Eco-paints are made with ingredients like milk proteins, clay, natural pigments, and botanical extracts. You won’t get that toxic smell that real paint gives off, plus unlike conventional paints, these products are VOC-free. According to The American Lung Association, ‘breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat can cause difficulty breathing and nausea and can damage the central nervous system as well as other organs.’

Eco-paints are affordable and there are so many different colors and brands to choose from. Next time your home needs a paint job try Ecos Paints or Sherwin Williams Harmony. Painting your home is one of the easiest ways to give your rooms a spruce up.

9. Eco-friendly materials

When you’re furnishing your rooms, consider buying eco-friendly materials. There are so many options these days whether it’s organic cotton, jute, hemp, or bamboo. From your soft furnishings to your decorative objects, think carefully about every material and product that you purchase.

Creating a sustainable home is about thinking carefully about everything that you buy. Think about the brand, its green practices, and how durable the product is. There are lots to consider to build a sustainable home.

10. Mindful spending

Most of us have been guilty of overconsumption at some point. Buying an excess of products for the home can be wasteful, (especially if you’re just buying things for the sake of it). To ensure that your home is eco-friendly you’ll need to spend your money mindfully.

Mindful.org describes the process in the following way, ‘Mindful spending begs you to consider each dollar you spend an extension of your personal values, creating an individual economy that centers on what you love, and not what society tells you you have to have.’

When you think carefully about the objects that you buy for the home you’ll save money and improve your overall wellbeing.

11. Use a smart meter

Installing a smart meter in your home is a fantastic way to decrease your energy usage, and monitor how much electricity you use. Smart meters can be used to set smart timers, track patterns, reduce spending, and create energy-saving goals.

Opt for a smart meter that you can control from your iPhone. That way, you can ensure that the heating is only on when you need it. If your plans change and you’re away from home, you can adjust your heating on the go.

12. Consume less electricity 

Sometimes the simplest adjustments are the most effective. If you want to create a greener home you should focus on your electricity usage. Switch off lights and plugs when not in use, and reduce the amount of time you spend using electronics. Swap a few movie nights for organic activities, it’s healthy to have a break from all that tech.

Creating a sustainable home can take a little work. It’s not about restricting yourself but making healthy choices for you and the planet. If you have children it’s advisable to get them into green habits now. There are so many ways to teach your kids about the environment from growing your own vegetables to recycling.