Minimalism and environmentalism go hand in hand. In a way, minimalists help save the environment by being intentional with their purchases. Minimalists tend to value quality more than quantity and items that can serve more than one purpose in their lives.
That reason alone is why it’s natural for a minimalist’s home to be the perfect eco-friendly space. So if you want to up your game in terms of saving the environment while keeping a minimalist lifestyle at home, then this article is perfect for you.
01. Strategically place and reinforce large windows
Large windows are a staple at any minimalist home. They provide ample natural light to pass through your home and provide great health benefits as well! According to healthline.com, sunlight provides your body with natural vitamin D, improves bone health, and boosts mood. So make sure that when placing your windows to place them not only where a room will be well-lit but also where your body can benefit from it as well.
Aside from lighting, if your windows are placed at a strategic location, it can also provide natural heating, which is perfect during the winter season, especially if you’re trying to heat or cool small spaces.
On the other hand, you must also reinforce your windows to ensure the safety of your family and your belongings, and you are assured that precious heat is kept in when necessary.
02. Insulate your home
Home insulation is necessary not just for minimalists, but for every homeowner who is looking to cut costs on energy consumption. By insulating your house, you will be able to regulate temperature much easier which means it will take less energy to keep your home comfortably warm.
One of the ways you can do this is by using a window quilt or large curtains to keep the heat in. You can also install weather foam strips into your doors to stop drafts from coming in. Plus, you should also check your walls, doors, and windows for any possible leaks and holes that need fixing.
03. Switch to community solar
Introducing solar power is one of the best ways you can exemplify minimizing the planetary impact of your lifestyle. Solar power is a completely clean and renewable energy source that can reduce your dependence on fossil fuels that produce harmful emissions that serve to speed up global warming.
So why is community solar a good idea? Isn’t installing solar panels on the roof good enough? Well, it is, but only if your house/building will allow it. Not all structures can adopt solar panel roofing, not to mention the fact that purchasing your own panels might just be in violation of your principles as a minimalist.
Subscribing to a community solar garden is definitely the better choice in this case because this method of tapping into solar power does not require you to buy any materials or equipment at all — just pay for a subscription, and you’re good to go.
04. Coat your walls with eco-friendly paint
Even the simplest of houses need a little paint job every now and then to keep the house looking fresh and new. For minimalists who are not keen on buying home decor and accessories purely to improve the aesthetic of their place, playing with colors and paint hues is a pretty good alternative to breathing new life into an old home.
For this, you need eco-friendly paint made from natural materials like clay, milk, or balsam, instead of the usual volatile chemicals present in traditional paint, which pollute the air when exposed to it.
Take note, though, that environment-friendly paint is usually only reserved for indoor paint jobs since they normally don’t fare well when used outside.
05. Use reclaimed wood for your next home remodeling project
Living the minimalist lifestyle means mastering the art of upcycling things that have outgrown their original intended use. If you think this practice can only be done on clothes and accessories, you might be delighted to find out that you can also use ‘upcycled’ or reclaimed wood in your home.
Taken from sources like retired ships and old barns, reclaimed wood does not only help you do your part in reducing the demand for fresh logs but also adds a certain charm and elegance to your home because of its aged beauty, thanks to the rich and unique history possessed by each piece of old timber.
06. Invest in an eco-friendly yard
You can definitely help make the world a little greener right from your home by landscaping an eco-friendly yard. Native plants that require little to no use of pesticides should be your first pick for the yard since these are low-maintenance and highly beneficial for your local wildlife.
Using organic mulch, composting, and harvesting rainwater are some of the best ways to practice both minimalism and environmentalism right in your own yard.
Whether you’re a seasoned minimalist or someone who’s just starting to explore the lifestyle, these are some of the best planet-friendly upgrades you can do to start your minimalist journey at home.
