Eco Living
Eco-Enhancing Additions for Every Budget
Going green is achievable no matter how much, or little, you have to spend
Whether you’re building from scratch or just want to slash those utility bills in half, harnessing renewable resources is the smart way forward both for your wallet and the health of the planet.
Spark some inspiration at your place with these earth-friendly ideas.
Spark some inspiration at your place with these earth-friendly ideas.
Soak in rainwater
The tank water you collect needn’t be limited for use in the garden. Plumbing rainwater into the bathroom will transform your bathing experience.
Here are some burning questions to ask yourself before installing a water tank
The tank water you collect needn’t be limited for use in the garden. Plumbing rainwater into the bathroom will transform your bathing experience.
Here are some burning questions to ask yourself before installing a water tank
Bring in the breeze
Window louvres are great at facilitating airflow into a house, but they’re also a handy escape route for rising hot air. And that means more comfortable living.
Window louvres are great at facilitating airflow into a house, but they’re also a handy escape route for rising hot air. And that means more comfortable living.
Start your own solar system
Don’t put off installing solar power for fear of the expense. Solar panels can be added incrementally over time, and the sun will work to recoup the initial outlay before you know it.
Don’t put off installing solar power for fear of the expense. Solar panels can be added incrementally over time, and the sun will work to recoup the initial outlay before you know it.
Find the sweet spot
This fabulous home has been designed to take advantage of light and the sun’s natural warmth. There are numerous areas in this home to dine, read or relax, no matter what the weather’s doing.
This fabulous home has been designed to take advantage of light and the sun’s natural warmth. There are numerous areas in this home to dine, read or relax, no matter what the weather’s doing.
Cry me a river
Encouraging rainwater to permeate into the ground, rather than running off into stormwater drains or washing away your soil, does the environment a favour. A pathway as naturally beautiful as this one is a win-win for the earth and for you.
Encouraging rainwater to permeate into the ground, rather than running off into stormwater drains or washing away your soil, does the environment a favour. A pathway as naturally beautiful as this one is a win-win for the earth and for you.
Go native
Australian native gardens attract birds, bugs and bees to the local area. That they are drought resistant and ultra-low maintenance is an added bonus.
Australian native gardens attract birds, bugs and bees to the local area. That they are drought resistant and ultra-low maintenance is an added bonus.
Grow your own
Raised vegie plots lend a kitchen garden vibe to any backyard, and are easier on the back during planting, maintaining and picking. Build frames for your climbers to grow on out of long branches instead of garden stakes for a lovely, natural look. You can also wrap fine mesh around the branch frames to keep out unwanted bugs.
Raised vegie plots lend a kitchen garden vibe to any backyard, and are easier on the back during planting, maintaining and picking. Build frames for your climbers to grow on out of long branches instead of garden stakes for a lovely, natural look. You can also wrap fine mesh around the branch frames to keep out unwanted bugs.
Retain the heat
When you’re thinking about where to locate windows in your new home design or renovation, factor in where the sun from the north and west will fall inside the home. A natural heat bank that captures the winter sun is the ideal scenario; it will keep the home warm into the night without the need for artificial heating.
More: The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
When you’re thinking about where to locate windows in your new home design or renovation, factor in where the sun from the north and west will fall inside the home. A natural heat bank that captures the winter sun is the ideal scenario; it will keep the home warm into the night without the need for artificial heating.
More: The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
Use bountiful bamboo
Choosing this sustainable material for benchtops, cabinetry, shelving and flooring adds instant eco-appeal to any kitchen. Fast-growing bamboo naturally regenerates, even with regular harvesting, and composts its own soil as it grows. Textiles and homewares are also being made with this earth-friendly miracle worker.
Choosing this sustainable material for benchtops, cabinetry, shelving and flooring adds instant eco-appeal to any kitchen. Fast-growing bamboo naturally regenerates, even with regular harvesting, and composts its own soil as it grows. Textiles and homewares are also being made with this earth-friendly miracle worker.
Rethink building materials
Straw bale and mud brick homes are smart choices if you want to reduce those escalating heating and cooling costs, and they look pretty spectacular, too.
Straw bale and mud brick homes are smart choices if you want to reduce those escalating heating and cooling costs, and they look pretty spectacular, too.
Bid lawn adieu
The first expanses of green lawn emerged in Europe, where it was a sign of wealth and status to be able to use land for decoration rather than for growing food. As more people become aware of the negative impact of lawn on the wider environment, many are reversing this long-standing trend. Opt for native grasses, ground cover, vegies and flowering plants over lawn, and you’ll be creating a bio-diverse mini-ecosystem that’s good for the earth. The fossil fuels used to make fertilisers and pesticides needed to keep lawns looking their best contribute to CO2, and these toxic nasties end up in groundwater, too.
The first expanses of green lawn emerged in Europe, where it was a sign of wealth and status to be able to use land for decoration rather than for growing food. As more people become aware of the negative impact of lawn on the wider environment, many are reversing this long-standing trend. Opt for native grasses, ground cover, vegies and flowering plants over lawn, and you’ll be creating a bio-diverse mini-ecosystem that’s good for the earth. The fossil fuels used to make fertilisers and pesticides needed to keep lawns looking their best contribute to CO2, and these toxic nasties end up in groundwater, too.
Give them a second chance
Whether bricks or timber, recycled materials, such as floorboards, give your home a sense of history. The stunning repurposed grey ironbark used for the floorboards here was rescued from an old bridge in Queensland and milled into boards.
See more of this eco-enhancing house
MORE IDEABOOKS
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
My Houzz: Family- and Eco-Friendly Design in the Adelaide Hills
11 Ways to Save Water (and a Little Money While You’re at It) at Home
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Extreme Aussie Climate
Whether bricks or timber, recycled materials, such as floorboards, give your home a sense of history. The stunning repurposed grey ironbark used for the floorboards here was rescued from an old bridge in Queensland and milled into boards.
See more of this eco-enhancing house
MORE IDEABOOKS
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
My Houzz: Family- and Eco-Friendly Design in the Adelaide Hills
11 Ways to Save Water (and a Little Money While You’re at It) at Home
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Extreme Aussie Climate
Opening up your home to the outdoors not only makes you feel good, it also allows you to take advantage of the sun’s warmth when you need it most. This modern extension has a retractable outdoor screen to provide shade from the sun during those hot summer afternoons.
Discover more ways to connect your indoor and outdoor areas