Every single decision you make impacts the environment. That’s a well-known fact.
Luckily, there are simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint and exist in a more sustainable way.
Did you know that almost 100 million tons of plastic are consumed around the world right now, compared to just five million tons in the 1950s? A lot of that plastic isn’t going to get recycled and you probably already have some idea about the amount of time needed for this material to fully decompose.
The good news is that apart from reducing your consumption, you can do a couple of additional things to eliminate wasteful practices. Reusing and repurposing during a home renovation or an interior design upgrade can give lots of things you’d otherwise throw away a second life.
Not only is repurposing the green thing to do, it can also save you a lot of money and give you unique new items. That’s the ultimate creative choice, especially if you’re considering pronounced life changes. After all, a brand new lifestyle starts with the creation of the right home space.
Plan Demolition Carefully!
Before thinking about reusing and repurposing furniture and decorative pieces, consider salvaging some of the materials that will result from demolition work during the reconstruction.
This is a phase you have to plan carefully.
Instead of hacking away without worries about potential damage, you’ll have to plan the careful removal of beams, bricks and anything else that could be used during another phase of the renovation. Construction plans and other building documentation you’re in possession of will help you understand the possibilities better.
It’s a good idea to seek a home renovation contractor who has enough experience in the realm of planned demolition work that is within HDB guidelines. They will know what it takes to salvage valuable materials and repurpose those. An experienced Singaporean home interior design company can also help you handle the preliminary steps so that you can “extract” the most from the existing construction.
Determine What You’ll Do with the Stuff You No Longer Need
Just about every item you no longer want in your flat can be reused or repurposed in one way or another.
Old flooring, for example, is ideal for repurposing. Wood flooring has so many good uses – from shelving to the creation of decorative elements. Tiles can also be saved. They can be placed in another room or even repurposed for the creation of a decorative wall piece.
When it comes to old furniture, you can have a lot of fun with it.
First of all, decide if you’re going to sell or donate some items. That’s a great way to give them a second life, especially if you no longer plan to feature those specific pieces in your home.
Furniture you want to keep can be repurposed in numerous ways, as long as you’re willing to get creative.
An old stepladder can easily be transformed into a bed stand or some shelving. A traditional bedroom chest can become multi-purpose storage for your home office. The old door will turn into an amazing headboard for your bed if you add some varnish or a bit of paint. You get the picture – it’s very easy to look beyond the specific function of an item and utilise it in a completely different way.
Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint and a bit of colourful fabric will go a long way to give a shabby item some glamour. Once you decide what interior design style you’re going for, you’ll find it fairly easy to transform old furniture beyond recognition.
Recyclable Materials Can Also Be Fun to Work With
You may also want to check your recycling bin. A number of amazing interior design ideas could be hiding there.
Old glass, plastic and metal can be incorporated in your renovation. Some people worry about the utilisation of such materials because they’ll potentially look cheap. If you look at Pinterest home décor boards, however, you’ll be surprised by the amazing items that can be created out of something as simple as a glass bottle.
From light fixtures to art pieces and even plant pots – you could be making many of these items on your own. Again – having a bit of support from an interior designer will reveal the full range of possibilities. Before commencing work on the project, however, you could also conceptualise some ideas that a professional will take to the next level.
Remember Why You Want to Reuse and Recycle!
Sometimes, reusing, recycling and repurposing during a renovation could be difficult. Lacking inspiration or a skilled team to back you can completely ruin your original enthusiasm.
If this ever happens, try to remember why you’re going through this process.
Reusing and repurposing is great for the environment, it helps you save money and gives you distinctive pieces for your home décor. Getting all of these benefits will be nearly impossible if you adopt another renovation approach.
Home Guide’s team can help you make an upcoming upgrade much more sustainable. Contact us now to discuss the specifics of the residential renovation and to learn a bit more about the numerous ways in which we can guide you and help you upgrade your space.